The Health Benefits Of Coconut Water
In cooking, and particularly when preparing Asian or African dishes, it is not uncommon to use coconut milk, which is now very common in the West. What we know less about, however, is coconut water, this juice that is found naturally in young coconuts, when the fruit is still green. And yet, the health benefits of coconut water deserve to be better known! Find out what it contains and what these different benefits are for your health and its beauty virtues.
The nutrients contained in this drink
Where some drinks contain a high amount of sugars and make you fill up on calories in just one drink, coconut water stands out. In fact, it contains between 15 and 25 kcal per 100 ml on average, which is very little.
But that’s not all, because:
- it does not contain fat (or trace amounts);
- a 20 cl glass contains less than 6 grams of sugar;
- coconut water is rich in potassium, with around 400 mg per 20 cl, or more than a tenth of the sufficient daily intake;
- it also provides phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, calcium, as well as vitamin C.
It is for all these reasons that we can consume this drink almost without moderation, whereas milk, cream and coconut oil contain much more lipids and calories.
–Nutritional Depth of Coconut Water
You have understood, coconut water owes its multiple benefits to the numerous nutritional contributions it contains. Not only hydrating, this plant extract promotes digestion, comforts the muscles, supports brain activity, and ensures the health of our heart. It also helps balance electrolyte levels, boosting hydration and endurance. In other words, you can integrate this thirst-quenching plant water into your daily routine without hesitation!
THE isotonic drink, coconut water is very interesting for athletes.
–Vitamins, minerals, and their role in the body
Made up of more than 95% water, coconut water contains carbohydrates, in other words sugars. Among them, fructose has the advantage of having a low glycemic index. Thus, it provides prolonged energy while glucose provides rapid energy.
On the mineral side, we find potassium, essential for the proper functioning of the body. In addition to its hydrating role, this mineral promotes digestion, facilitates muscle recovery, has a positive influence on blood pressure and limits the risk of cardiovascular accidents.
Being an alkaline mineral, potassium also helps maintain the acid-base balance.
Calcium is also found in coconut water. This mineral is not only beneficial for bones. It contributes to many biological functions in the body. Among them: blood clotting and muscle contraction.
Finally, coconut offers us vitamin water. Vitamins B and C are sources of many benefits for the body. While some promote energy production while participating in the proper functioning of the nervous system, others have antioxidant properties and contribute to strengthening the immune system.
The helath benefits of coconut water
Thanks to its composition, coconut water brings different benefits to our body: discover all the good reasons to include this drink in your daily diet!
–Hydrate while having fun
If you struggle to hydrate yourself enough, coconut water can be an interesting solution. With its characteristic little taste, it can be more pleasant to consume than a simple glass of mineral water. Since it is made up of more than 95% water, it will succeed in hydrating you properly.
In addition, it is a drink that can be described as isotonic. This means that its structure is similar to the liquids contained in our body, including blood plasma. Coconut water is therefore easily assimilated by our body, thus delivering all its benefits quickly to the muscles and organs.
–Promote good digestion
Thanks to its high concentration of potassium, coconut water is known to be good for the digestive system. This mineral salt plays a role in maintaining acidity in our stomach. And it is the acidity of gastric secretions which allows us to properly digest and assimilate the nutrients ingested.
–Drain and fight against water retention
Always thanks to potassium, but also thanks to its richness in water, coconut water naturally drains our body and avoids water retention. It can therefore be one of your slimming allies, by detoxifying the body and reducing aqueous cellulite. Of course, coconut water will not work miracles on your figure, but it can complement a slimming routine, including rebalancing your diet and sporting activity.
–Preventing urinary infections
Consuming coconut water would also be beneficial to avoid urinary infections. In what way? Coconut water is considered a diuretic, meaning it promotes urine production. This is, among other things, what gives it its detoxifying effect throughout the body, but it is also what helps eliminate toxins found in the urinary tract and which can cause infections. . In addition to protecting against cystitis, it is a good way to preserve your kidneys.
–Replace sports drinks with a natural solution
Coconut water can also be a sports drink. Of course, because it hydrates. But also because its mineral content helps nourish the muscles and facilitate recovery after exercise. This makes it a very interesting natural drink before, during or after physical exercise, which can easily replace certain isotonic or energy drinks whose composition sometimes leaves something to be desired.
The beauty benefits of coconut water
The water from the fruit of the coconut tree is not only intended to be drunk and to provide nutrients to our body. It can also have applications in the field of beauty, in particular for hair and skin.
–In rinsing water to combat dry hair
If your hair tends to be dry, dull and damaged, or if you want to prevent this type of inconvenience when summer arrives, consider coconut water! Use it as rinse water after your shampoo to benefit from its moisturizing benefits, while enjoying its sweet exotic scent.
–For skin application for all skin types
While we know that coconut oil is not suitable for all skin types because it is comedogenic, this is not the case for coconut water. It can moisturize dry skin as well as take care of combination skin or even help fight sebum on acne-prone skin. Apply it to your face using a cotton pad and see the result!
Tip: You can use coconut water to enjoy the benefits of this water and the benefits of kefir at the same time.
Choose quality coconut water to benefit from its beneficial effects
For it to have real benefits, coconut water must be pure and from fruits grown without chemicals. The ideal is therefore to buy organic coconut water, which guarantees growing conditions that protect the environment, local populations and your health. It is also the assurance of not finding any questionable additives in the list of ingredients.
However, who says organic does not necessarily mean without added sugars or natural flavors. So take the time to read the composition of the product before making your choice: there must be 100% coconut water, and why not a small quantity of vitamin C, which allows better preservation of the drink.
After opening, remember to store your coconut water in the refrigerator, so that it keeps well and gives you its refreshing effect whenever you want it.
Are there any contraindications to drinking coconut water?
Coconut water does not contain ingredients dangerous to health and can therefore be consumed at any age and in several glasses per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can also benefit from the benefits of coconut water.
However, there is an exception: people suffering from hyperkalemia. This disease is linked to too high a level of potassium in the blood, which can lead to chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, arrhythmia, etc. Since coconut water is particularly rich in potassium, you should not consume it, or in very small doses, if you suffer from excess potassium in the blood.
Even if you are in good health, it is also prudent not to overuse coconut water, so as not to increase your potassium levels beyond normal limits.
Before consuming or adding any “super food” to your diet or taking food supplements, do not hesitate to ask you doctor or a professional for advice.
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I hope you enjoyed this overview of the health benefits of coconut water and found it useful. Comment down below what you think of this delicious water. Have you ever tried it? If yes, please share with us your experience.
Looking forward to reading your comments, sending you love and positive energy!!!
