11 Incredible Health Benefits Of Coconut Water
Coconut water is never out of trend despite various attractive aromatic and nutritious drinks in the market. It is a miraculous drink beneficial for our body in multiple ways. Coconut water has been consumed for centuries in tropical regions around the world.
In Ayurveda, Coconut water is believed to help in activities of the body such as digestion and urination. It helps to provide an instant boost of energy.
Based on my experience, I highly recommend incorporating tender coconut water into your diet. It is a nutritious and natural isotonic drink that closely resembles the composition of our body’s blood plasma. This means it can provide essential nutrients and hydration, making it a healthy choice to support overall well-being.
Benefits of Coconut water
1: Energy booster:
Coconut water is a great beverage to drink during and after a workout. It is rich in minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants that help to boost your energy level instantly. It may help athletes to refuel their energy stores and recover a little faster. If you drink this water during exercise, it may prevent fatigue and dehydration. Coconut water is a natural alternative to any sports drink. It contains more potassium and electrolytes, less sodium and fewer carbohydrates than many sports drinks.
2: Best alternatives for sugary juices:
Coconut water is mildly sweet and nutty in flavour. It is low in calories, sugar and carbs, unlike other sugary juices and sodas. It makes it a better choice for diabetics or individuals looking to reduce their consumption of added sugar.
3: Helps to lose weight:
Fresh Coconut water is beneficial in weight loss management programs. It is lower in calories than other beverages, like soda or juices that help to lose weight. One cup of Coconut water contains only 48 calories. As coconut water is also a great replacement for sugary drinks, completely swapping artificial sugary drinks for coconut water may help in managing weight and could boost hydration.
Coconut water nutrition facts
- Coconut water is a clear liquid present inside of green Coconuts. Over 95% of Coconut water is water. An average green Coconut provides about 0.5–1 cups of Coconut water.
- Coconut water is rich in various minerals and electrolytes like potassium, calcium, manganese, antioxidants, amino acids and cytokinins. Coconut water is the best source of potassium and contains almost 470 mg of potassium. It is low in calories, carbohydrates, sugar, unlike other juices.
4: May benefit to manage diabetes:
Research shows that Coconut water may help to manage blood sugar levels and improve diabetes symptoms. It is a good source of manganese, which may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
5: May be beneficial for heart health:
Drinking Coconut water may be beneficial to prevent heart diseases. It may help manage cholesterol levels in the blood and maintain good heart health because it is high in potassium. Additionally, coconut water also helps increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) levels, which decreases the risk of various heart diseases.
6: May help to reduce high blood pressure:
Being high in potassium, Coconut water may help to manage blood pressure. Research suggests that potassium-rich diets can help support heart health by managing blood pressure and even protecting against stroke.
Did you know that tender coconut water, apart from being a refreshing beverage, can also be used as an intravenous fluid in emergencies? Its electrolyte content closely matches that of our body’s fluids, making it an effective option for restoring hydration and balance in critical situations. Next time you enjoy a sip of tender coconut water, remember its potential as a natural and readily available intravenous fluid.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
7: Help in good digestion:
Coconut water is rich in manganese that helps to regulate your bowel movements. It may prevent gaseous distension of the abdomen, constipation and acidity.
8: May help to detox the body:
Coconut water is versatile due to the presence of minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants. Coconut water helps detoxify your body by providing hydration and antioxidants. Among other health benefits of coconut water, it may also contribute to healthier-looking skin. Certain varieties of coconut water are packed with vitamin C, and antioxidant properties, and may naturally stimulate collagen synthesis.
9: May help to prevent kidney stones:
When you have a kidney stone, your doctor will advise you to drink a lot of water. Although plain water works wonderfully, don’t miss adding Coconut water to your diet. Coconut water may help to prevent kidney stone formation when taken in moderate amounts. Among other benefits of coconut water, it may also be able to flush out the chlorine and citrate in the urine of healthy people.
10: May prevent urinary tract infection:
Coconut water is known to be a diuretic (increase urine output). Hence, it may help to flush out toxins by way of urine. It makes you pee frequently but that’s the way your urinary infection may void out.
11: May reduce fatigue and stress:
There are instances such as fatigue, stress where you feel lethargic and don’t want to eat or do anything. Sipping on a cup of Coconut water may help you feel relaxed and it calms your mind.
Fun Fact: In Vietnam, tender coconut water has been used as a substitute for fluids and nutrients for babies with diarrhoea. This refreshing drink, with its natural electrolytes and nourishing properties, helps replenish the body’s fluids and provides essential nutrition.
Dr. Smita barode, BAMS