Coconut water is a natural substitute for fresh drinking water. Often confused as a nut, coconut is actually a fruit.
It might have been considered as a fashionable and trendy beverage, but its consumption comes with a lot of health benefits. It gained popularity in the near past, but it has been around for its natural benefits for centuries.
This thirst quencher and refreshing beverage is loaded with all the essential minerals such as Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Zinc, etc. Moreover, it is low in calories and is fat-free.
It is no coincidence that pop star Madonna has invested in Vita Coco, the world leader in coconut water.
Let’s look at some health benefits of coconut water in detail:
Hydrates the body: Coconut water is a superb appetizer that quenches thirst naturally and sends a sense of coolness in the body. It contains five essential electrolytes (Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, and Phosphorus) that hydrate our body including. It effectively replenishes our body during dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, fluid loss, or excessive sweating. After a rigorous exercise or physical activity, you can drink coconut water as it hydrates the body by providing it with essential mineral fluids. A study noted that drinking coconut water is “as good as ingesting a commercial sports drink for whole body rehydration after exercise-induced dehydration but with better fluid tolerance”.
Aids in weight loss: Drinking coconut water promotes weight loss as it is low in calories and is easy on the stomach. This light and refreshing drink helps diminish excess fat from the body. It reduces your appetite and satiates your hunger. It detoxifies our body by flushing out excess water and toxins, resulting in reduced weight. It possesses several bioactive enzymes that help promote digestion and boosts body metabolism.
Facilitates digestion and balances pH levels: Rich in fiber content, coconut water promotes digestion and prevents various stomach problems like indigestion, acid reflux, gastroenteritis.
Processed fast food, harmful toxins, and stress increase the acidic pH levels in the body which result in low energy and less absorption of several vitamins and minerals. High acidic pH can cause several health benefits like acidity, heartburn, diabetes, high blood pressure, immune deficiency, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and strained liver function. Drinking coconut water balances the pH level by alkalizing the acidic pH level of the body.
Promotes a healthy heart: It is low in cholesterol thus keeping the heart strong and healthy. It minimizes LDL (bad cholesterol) and improves HDL (good cholesterol) levels, thus lowering the risk of heart diseases, heart strokes, and cardiovascular ailments. It contains various anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet, and antioxidant properties, which help in improving the blood circulation of the body.
Controls blood pressure: Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Potassium content in coconut water help in managing high blood pressure. It reduces blood pressure by neutralizing the negative effects of sodium. It also acts as a balancing mechanism that stabilizes the electrolytes in the body.
Regulates blood sugar level: It helps in regulating blood sugar levels as it contains dietary fibers and amino acids. Drinking coconut water aids in improving the insulin sensitivity of the body, hence preventing diabetes. It also diminishes blood glucose and oxidative stress.
Treats headaches: People who suffer from migraines have low Magnesium content in their bodies. And Magnesium is very helpful in treating headaches and migraines. Coconut water is rich in Magnesium, which cures migraines. Headaches and migraines are also triggered by dehydration. And coconut water contains electrolytes, which help in hydrating the body.
Natural diuretic: Coconut water is said to be a natural diuretic that flushes harmful toxins from the body and helps in urine production and its flow. It cleans the urinary bladder and prevents several urinary infections. It also contains Potassium, which alkalizes the urine and breaks down kidney stones, eventually flushing them out of the body. Also, coconut water has several antibacterial properties that aid in fighting bladder infections and kidney problems.
Relieves hangover: Consumption of alcohol can cause dehydration by robbing off essential fluids from the body. Coconut water helps to hydrate the body and reduces after-booze blues. It is a great remedy for relieving hangover stress.
Healthy skin: Coconut water helps treat acne, as it cleanses the skin from within, in turn giving it a natural glow. It also removes scars, blemishes, and acne marks from the skin. It moisturizes and nourishes the skin, leaving it soft and supple. It also acts as a natural toner that improves the complexion of the skin. It also contains cytokinins, which slows down the aging process.
Summing up
It is always recommended to drink plenty of water, but why not give coconut water a try because of its added nutritional value!
Try to go for young green coconuts, because they have high water content. Opt for fresh coconut water instead of the bottled ones, to maximize its health benefits.