When you think of coconuts, does your mind drift to the tropics? Sandy beaches, drinks donned with little umbrellas, the salty breezes blowing…
…or, does your mind go straight to the wealth of health benefits to be had from this typical island fruit?
And, while most of us are familiar with the fact that the meat of the coconut does indeed contain numerous health benefits, what about coconut water?
This liquid from young, not yet mature, coconuts is gaining great popularity, and it’s no wonder!
Coconut water comes from young, green coconuts…you know, before they’re fully ripe and hairy-looking, changing that water into the rich, white, meaty center that is often used in making coconut milk.
This sweet, nearly clear (sometimes a little foggy) liquid can be enjoyed straight from the young coconut in the purest form, and of course you can also purchase it at most grocery stores.
But, why would you want to drink coconut water? Take a look at these top healthy reasons…
1. Hydration Station!
One huge, healthy benefit of coconut water is that it is incredibly hydrating.
Coconut water is low in calories (only 45-60 calories per cup), and it contains needed minerals to keep you hydrated naturally, such as sodium, manganese, and potassium, all natural electrolytes.
Instead of sugary, artificially flavored and colored sports drinks, consider opting for coconut water if you’re seeking something other than regular water to meet your hydration needs when ill, exercising, or simply when you’re needing fluids.
2. Potassium Power
Since we briefly mentioned the potassium content of coconut water above, let’s continue with that ingredient and its magical wonders.
A serving of coconut water contains as much potassium as a banana (some reports say as much as 4 bananas)…tens times more potassium than the average sports drink.
Especially beneficial after (or during) a good sweat session, potassium can help stave off muscle cramping by keeping your body’s fluids and electrolyte levels balanced as you workout.
3. Lowers Blood Pressure
Keeping with the benefits of the potassium content of coconut water, this mineral is also known for its ability to lower blood pressure. And, as we just learned, coconut water is loaded with it!
Potassium works to balance out the effects of sodium on the body (a needed benefit for those with hypertension), and coconut water in and of itself contains less sodium than the average sports drink.
4. Low Sugar Content
When regular water just won’t cut it, folks often opt for fruit juices thinking they’re making a healthy choice. The problem here? Many fruit juices can contain a lot of sugar.
Coconut water is low in sugar, making it a great, healthy choice!
Coconut water also contains some fiber, which can slow digestion and keep your blood sugar from spiking too high.
As a comparison, apple juice contains 24 grams of sugar per cup and orange juice comes in at 21 grams per cup, while coconut water only contains 6 grams of sugar per cup.
5. Lowers your risk of Heart Disease
A 2006 study in the Journal Of Medicinal Food reported that coconut water could help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as it was effective at lowering LDL cholesterol and raising HDL cholesterol levels.
And, coconut water doesn’t contain any fat or cholesterol. So, combine these benefits with its ability to lower blood pressure, and you’ve got a great, healthy choice for those who are at risk for heart disease.
6. Antioxidants, Antioxidants, Antioxidants!
Coconut water is known to combat oxidative stress and free radical damage as it contains powerful antioxidants.
Free radicals form from unstable molecules within the body, and oxidative stress happens as we age due to an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants (in the body).
Animal studies have proven the antioxidant content of coconut water to modify free radicals, thereby lowering the risk of disease.
And, as reductions in oxidative stress can also fight disease, as well as the process of aging (think skin, hair, body, and disease), the antioxidant content of coconut water comes in with another win here.
7. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Animal studies have shown coconut water to be effective at lowering blood sugar levels, which in turn improved other health conditions in those animals with diabetes.
Though these studies have not been conducted yet in humans, what we do know is that coconut water also contains a good amount of magnesium, which has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes as well as increasing insulin sensitivity.
8. Contains Amino Acids
Amino acids are considered the building blocks of protein. They are primarily known for their roles in tissue repair and providing energy.
Some amino acids, such as arginine, support healthy stress responses in the body as well as boosting the health of your heart.
Coconut water is a great source of arginine as well as other amino acids, such as alanine, cysteine, and serine.
9. Kidney Stone Prevention
Coconut water is thought to help prevent kidney stones by effectively flushing out excess potassium, chloride, and citrate from the body, each of these being known to combine to form crystals in urine.
As coconut water acts as a diuretic, forcing these from the body, the crystals are unable to form or develop into stones.
10. Acts as a Diuretic
To elaborate on that brief mention above, coconut water does act as a diuretic. Why mention it again?
Well, of course this benefit helps in kidney stone prevention as we stated, but we often don’t realize how important urine production is to the health of the body.
Coconut water’s diuretic properties support proper urine production so that your body can healthily remove toxins and even excess nutrients.
And, if your body doesn’t produce a proper amount of urine, toxins can build up and make you sick.
11. Boosts Immunity
The nutrient content of coconut water is known for giving your immune system exactly what it needs to function optimally, containing both antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Coconut water contains ample amounts of calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, zinc, and magnesium, as well as other vitamins and nutrients such as thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, folates, and pyridoxine, each playing a role in helping your immune system fight off viruses and bacteria.
12. Supports Young, Beautiful Skin
Coconut water contains compounds known as cytokinins. These compounds are hormones typically associated with plant growth, but their presence in coconut water works to fight the effects of aging.
Coconut water’s ability to hydrate, along with its antioxidant and cytokinin content improves the elasticity of your skin.
The vitamin C content of coconut water works to your skin’s benefit as well, aiding in collagen production which can lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, keeping your skin looking young.
Some people even report applying coconut water to their face, hands, and nails overnight to keep their skin youthful.
13. Improves Digestion
Proper hydration is essential for healthy digestion. So, of course, drinking plenty of water (or coconut water) is already going to help keep digestion moving.
But, coconut water also contains fiber, which is needed for healthy digestion. And, it also contains a good amount of magnesium which is known to relax muscles, even those throughout your digestive tract, aiding in the relief of constipation.
14. Helps with Headaches and Migraines
Magnesium deficiency is thought to be linked to occurrences of migraine headaches, so coconut water’s magnesium content makes it a helpful go-to if you’re experiencing a migraine.
This combined with the hydrating power of coconut water, hydration also being key to staving off migraines, makes it a healthy tool in your arsenal for combatting headaches.
15. Calms Acid Reflux
Coconut water has a pH of 5-5.4, making it slightly acidic. But, when compared to stomach acid, coconut water is more alkaline.
Consuming coconut water can balance gastric distress by reducing stomach acidity, thereby easing GERD and symptoms like acid reflux.
16. Helps with Weight Loss
The simple act of consuming coconut water won’t directly shrink your waistline. But, when looking to swap out some unhealthy habits with those that promote health and facilitate weight loss, coconut water is a great option.
Juices, soft drinks, and sugary coffee drinks can contain a lot of calories. Even just a 350ml can of soft drink can contain nearly 180 calories.
Coconut water contains only 45-60 calories per cup. The fibre content is greater than sugary sodas, the sugar content is absolutely lower (remember, only 6 grams per serving), and again, it’s incredibly hydrating (also beneficial to weight loss).
So, consider switching up any high calorie/high sugar drinks for coconut water to aid in your weight loss success.
17. Hangover Help
While this one is a bit of a repeat as we’re mentioning hydration again here, it’s still worth noting.
As enjoying alcohol, even in moderation, can quickly dehydrate your body, and as dehydration is the main cause of hangovers, coconut water’s hydrating qualities make it a perfect hangover cure (or prevention).
Plus, the antioxidant content of coconut water can help to minimize the oxidative stress your body endures from consuming alcohol, while your electrolytes are also replenished in the process.
18. Natural Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Many urologists place drinking coconut water at the top of the list of natural treatments or remedies for erectile dysfunction.
As blood circulation can be a primary reason for erectile dysfunction, coconut water’s ability to balance the body’s electrolytes proves beneficial here as this improves the heart’s capacity to pump blood, increasing overall blood circulation.
And, coconut water’s sodium content helps to facilitate healthy muscle contraction while its potassium content supports healthy erectile functioning.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-water-benefits#1.-Good-source-of-several-nutrients
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318394
https://facty.com/food/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-coconut-water/6/
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7834362/health-benefits-coconut-water/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_juice
https://www.healthline.com/health/oxidative-stress
https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-amino-acids#1
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/6-health-benefits-of-coconut-water/articleshow/30272934.cms
https://parade.com/1215657/kaitlin-vogel/coconut-water-health-benefits/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a33606419/coconut-water-health-benefits/
https://lakeviewurology.com/coconut-water-to-treat-erectile-dysfunction/