A refreshing drink with a sweet taste, coconut water is a good blend of tang and health. For many hundreds of years, coconut water has been admired as a natural source of nutrition, wellness and beauty. It is cholesterol-free and is loaded with potassium, minimal quantities of sodium, natural fat, carbohydrates (in the form of sugar) and electrolytes that are easily digestible. Due to its affluence in vitamin B (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9), C, K, dietary fiber, calcium, manganese, potassium, sulfur, iron, riboflavin, it is often dubbed as ‘Mother nature’s sports drink’ by marketers. One ounce of coconut water contains 5.45 calories, 1.3 grams sugar, 61 mg potassium and 5.45 mg of sodium. Here are some more surprising health and beauty benefits of coconut water that gives you multiple reasons to include this drink in your daily diet.
Health Benefits of Coconut Water
1.Hydrates the Body:
Coconut water effectively hydrates the body more than any other health drink and that too without calories. Drink coconut water to replenish mineral-rich fluids lost after extended periods of exercise and physical activity.
2. Reduces Blood Pressure
Coconut water balances the level of electrolytes in the body, and thus, helps reduce blood pressure. For the best results, it must be consumed at the beginning of each day to maintain the proportionate level of electrolytes.
3. Controls Weight
Coconut water is fat-free, so it can be consumed generously without the fear of putting on weight. Unlike other health drinks and beverages, it contains the minimal amount of calories and suppresses your appetite by keeping you full for longer.
Drink some coconut water to compensate for the loss of electrolytes that occurred due to frequent urination and vomiting after boozing.
4. Minimizes the Risk of Kidney Stones
Coconut water has high amounts of potassium and magnesium that helps alkalize the urine, and thus, assists in dissolving the kidney stones.
5. Easy Digestion
The phosphatase, folic acid, dehydrogenase, catalase diastase, RNA polymerases, and peroxidase present in coconut water help in easy digestion and speed up the metabolism rate. This, in turn, burns fats fastly. It even balances acid reflux and its rich fiber content cures constipation and other digestion related problems.
6. Energy Booster
A high content of potassium, calcium, and chloride in coconut water makes it an appropriate energy booster drink, specifically for sports people, pregnant women, people with a strict diet, and children.
7. Relieves Muscle Cramps
Coconut water contains potassium which fortifies the bones and is considered essential for fighting against muscle cramps.
8. Diuretic
Coconut water if mixed with lemon juice helps treat dehydration and also reduces tiredness by replenishing the salts lost by the body through sweating. It also speeds up the flow of urine and treats intestinal worms.
9. Anti-Cancerous
The kinetin present in coconut water has anti-cancerous properties and can be used for the treatment of myeloma, heptamoa, and mammary carcinomas. In addition to this, a kind of cytokinin present in coconut water called trans-Zeatin is known to show positive results, in case of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Another type of cytokines present in coconut water called gibberellins has anti-tumor properties.
10. Lessens Bloating
Coconut water is rich in potassium, which helps flush out sodium from the body. This, in turn, does not allow body to retain water and, thus, reduces bloating.
11. Treats Atherosclerosis
Coconut water improves blood circulation in the body and eliminates any blockage and narrowing of arteries due to plaque formation.
12. Improves Immunity
Regular intake of coconut water improves kidney functioning, builds up immunity and prevents urinary tract infection. It also aids in treating ailments like stomach flu, indigestion, dysentery, intestinal worms, bladder infections and malfunctioning of kidneys.
13. Lowers Body Temperature
The cooling effect of coconut water brings down the temperature of the body and is believed to ward off the symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
14. Regulates Blood Sugar
Coconut water is a very rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and even helps increase the amount of good cholesterol in the blood, reduces plaque formation in arteries, moderates sugar absorption and improves insulin insensitivity.
15. Protection against Prickly Heat
Apply coconut water all over your face, neck, and other parts which get exposed to sun, before you move out in. It provides protection to the skin against prickly heat, rashes, small pox, chicken pox, measles, etc.
16. Substitute to Blood Plasma
In acute cases, coconut water can be used as a substitute to blood plasma, since it is sterile in nature and readily gets mixed up with red blood cells without damaging them.
17. Cures Malnourishment
Coconut water must be given to weak children as it helps treat malnourishment. Zinc, magnesium, manganese, iron, and calcium in the coconut water are essential for the overall development of the body.
18. Cardiovascular Health
Coconut water is laden with potassium and magnesium; therefore, it plays an important role in lowering the blood pressure and maintaining the normal heart beat. It also increases blood circulation which, in turn, does not allow plaque formation. Coconut water also increases good cholesterol, which is very essential for maintaining good heart health.
19. Makes Bones Stronger
The calcium content (cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol) in coconut water makes bones stronger, keeps connective tissue and blood vessels healthy. It can be consumed by people of all ages including infants.
Note – Breastfeeding is best for baby and must not be replaced with coconut water.
20. Reduces Stress
Coconut water is rich in vitamin B derivatives like riboflavin, thiamin and pantothenic acid, niacin and vitamin C, which reduce stress, anxiety and depression.