Coconut water is the latest health craze that has already caught up with many in the US and Europe.
Certain commercial advertisements are trying to popularize this drink as “Mother Nature’s sports drink’. You will also see several celebrities and athletes endorsing this natural refreshment drink.
The biggest benefit of this drink is said to be its ability to hydrate the body very quickly. The water extract from coconut is highly praised for its medicinal properties with the power to heal and prevent many diseases.
Weight-conscious people are cheering for this drink because of its low calories and cholesterol-free fat.
In this article, I will present some of the very important and relevant facts I have come across in my extensive research on coconut water. I have also summarized the 12 important health benefits of coconut water.
What Is Coconut Water?
Coconut water is sweet-water-like juice found inside the interior cavity of tender coconut. A tender coconut (about 5-6 months of growth) is full of water and also very delicious and nutritious at this stage.
However, a fully mature coconut (after 10 to 12 months of growth) does not contain much water, and the kernel would have absorbed all the nutrients in the water by then. Only tender coconut water is nutritious and refreshing.
Refrain from getting confused about this drink with coconut oil and coconut milk. All three are entirely different but extracted from the same source.
It is easy to cut open the top portion of the tender coconut to extract the water from within. Even the soft and thin kernel of the young coconut, which is in the initial stages of growth, is also delicious and healthy to eat.
This drink is 100% pure and very refreshing with its gentle sweetness.
Of course, it is most tasty and refreshing when the tender coconut is just freshly harvested/plugged from the tree. It loses its freshness in taste after one or two days of harvesting but won’t get damaged for many days.
Coconut Water Nutrition
This natural drink is very healthy as it contains many essential nutrients.
This natural drink is sweet and sterile; and contains sugar, minerals, amino acids, electrolytes, cytokines, enzymes, and phytohormones.
It contains easily digestible carbohydrates in the form of electrolytes and sugar.
Coconut water is fat-free and low on calories. It contains a few good antioxidant properties as well.
One cup of this drink contains about 250mg of sodium, which helps to hydrate the body, especially after sweating out a lot.
The presence of electrolytes and minerals like calcium and magnesium in this drink can help the body carry electrical impulses.
Health Benefits Of Coconut Water
All love this natural health drink from coconut for its refreshing effects and excellent nutritional and medicinal value.
Health benefits of coconut water range from its rehydrating effects to beneficial nutrients and remedial efficacy to prevent and cure certain diseases.
Below we are going to discuss 12 important coconut water health benefits.
1. Hydrates The Body
It is undoubtedly one of the best natural thirst quenchers and a refreshing drink, especially in the summer heat.
This water contains a natural electrolyte composition that helps hydrate the body during dehydration and fluid loss due to heat, humid conditions, diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating.
Also, the physical weakness arising from dehydration can be mitigated with the help of carbohydrates in this drink.
One of the studies published in 2012 in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition brought out the efficacy of the water extract from coconut to rehydrate the body just like any good sports drink does.
Since this natural rehydrating drink does not contain added chemicals, unlike sports drinks, it is healthy for the stomach and avoids health issues like acid reflux, indigestion, and gastroenteritis.
2. Strengthens The Immune System
The coconut contains natural antioxidants, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties beneficial for strengthening the immune system.
The water-like juice from coconut can combat the virus that causes the common flu and cold.
It is found that the regular consumption of this natural drink helps in removing bacteria causing urinary tract infections and gum diseases.
3. Gives Energy Boost
The water extract from coconut contains easily digestible carbs that can give an immediate boost to energy levels.
The natural diuretic effect of coconut water improves the functioning of thyroid gland hormones, increasing the cellular level of energy in the person. Of course, this requires regular consumption of coconut juice extract to achieve this health benefit.
4. Helps In Balancing The pH Levels
The imbalance of acidic pH levels in the body, arising out of toxic load and consumption of high acid-forming foods, is a major reason for reduced metabolism and poor health in many persons. A bad acidic pH level also contributes to other health issues like immune deficiency, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, weak functioning of the liver, and many more.
Coconut water, which has natural alkalizing minerals such as electrolytes, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, is capable of restoring healthy pH in the body. It helps control acidity and heartburn, destabilizing the body’s healthy acidic pH levels.
5. Helps In Lowering The Blood Pressure
The potassium and magnesium content in coconut water reduces blood pressure. Potassium can balance the negative effects of sodium that give rise to blood pressure.
One of the study reports published in the West Indian Medical Journal in 2005 also indicated the efficacy of this natural refreshment drink in reducing hypertension.
6. Helps In Balancing The Blood Sugar Level
The water from coconut is good for maintaining a healthy blood sugar level as it contains amino acids that can improve insulin sensitivity.
This water also contains very little sugar, which will not cause any issues even for diabetes patients.
A study published in 2012 in the journal Food and Function shows the therapeutic effects of mature coconut water in reducing oxidative stress and blood glucose levels.
7. Good For Weight Loss
This natural health drink is very good for weight-conscious people as it contains no fat and low calories.
This health drink is also incredibly filling and helps to suppress appetite for a long time. The bioactive enzymes in it aid digestion and boost fat metabolism.
The potassium mineral in coconut water is good for getting rid of the excess sodium in the body. Removing excess sodium will reduce the excess water retention (water weight) in the body caused by sodium.
One cup of this healthy drink daily will help you to maintain your body weight to some extent; however, too much of it may lead to a high-calorie supply that is bad for weight loss.
8. Helps In Relieving Headaches Like Migraine
Most types of headaches, even migraine attacks, become severe when the body is dehydrated. The rehydrating effects of the water from coconut can provide good relief from severe headaches.
One of the reasons for migraine disease is the low levels of magnesium present in the body. The magnesium mineral in this health drink is very good for reducing the severity of a migraine attack.
9. Makes Your Skin Look Younger And Healthier
Dehydration is the biggest enemy of skin health.
The hydrating effect of this health drink is good for making your skin healthy and youthful.
The water from coconut also contains cytokinins, which are excellent anti-aging property that slows down the aging process of the body cells, especially of the skin tissues. This medicinal ingredient in this health drink also helps reduce the risks of developing degenerative and age-related diseases.
One of the popular home remedies for skin rejuvenation is the application of a skin mask prepared from a mixture of coconut water and sandalwood powder.
10. Good For a Healthy Heart
This refreshment drink from coconut is totally cholesterol and fat-free, which is good news for heart patients.
Daily consumption of a moderate amount of this healthy drink is also good for lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. This is most needed for the better health of the heart.
One of the studies published in 2012 in the Journal of Medicinal Food pointed out that water from coconut has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism to counteract increased total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), LDL, and triglycerides.
Lastly, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties in this healthy drink help purify the blood and smooth blood circulation. These properties reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
11. Relieves Hangover
The hangover from alcoholic drinks mostly occurs because of the body’s excessive dehydration and the presence of spirit in the blood.
Coconut water, which is rich in electrolytes and quickly rehydrates the body. The antioxidants in this healthy drink help fight the oxidative stress caused by alcohol.
The alkalizing minerals in this healthy drink neutralize the acidity issues caused by the alcohol in the stomach.
12. Produces Natural Diuretic Effects And Heals Kidney Diseases
One of the best health benefits of coconut water is its natural diuretic effect.
This healthy drink helps in a healthy amount of urine production and expulsion of toxins through healthy urination.
The possibility of urinary tract infections is reduced with proper and healthy urine passage.
The potassium mineral in this water helps to alkalize urine and dissolve certain kidney stones to flush them out of the body.
This natural drink’s antibacterial properties help reduce the risk of bladder infections.
It is good for people with kidney disease to drink daily one or two cups of fresh coconut water with a pinch of sea salt added to it.
Final Thought
The health benefits of coconut water on health are excellent.
Make it a habit of drinking at least a few cups of coconut water every week. It will help your body rehydrate, balance healthy sodium levels, and supply important minerals like potassium and magnesium.
Many of the benefits of this healthy drink are associated with regular drinking.
Of course, it may NOT make any drastic difference in your health, but it will certainly improve your health.
It is the best natural drink for hydrating the body; probably better than most sports drinks.
It is also 100% pure and free of any side effects on health.