13 reasons to be excited about coconut water benefits

Since centuries, Coconut water in tropical countries has been used as a natural source of essential minerals, vitamins and electrolytes.

Not to be confused with coconut milk, the coconut water is the nutritious fluid inside a tender green coconut. It is a proven delicious and low-calorie natural supplement for our body.

In fact, People of any age can have it! It rehydrates body and is especially suggested by doctors in the east to patients with certain ailments.

Nutrition Facts

Coconut is botanically known as Cocos nucifera. Its water contains antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, B complex and vitamin c. It also contains electrolyte potassium which regulates flow of body fluids thereby controlling the blood pressure. Most important of all, coconut water is also an important sugarless natural source of potassium for diabetic patients with electrolyte deficiency occurred due to chemotherapy.

Furthermore, this wonder fruit’s water also improves health issues related to digestion and urination.

Statistically, from 100 ml coconut water you can get 19 calories of energy. As a matter of fact, If you are on a spree to lose weight coconut water may come to your rescue. This is because it has negligible amount of fat. So, when most sports drinks are high in sugar, coconut water offers same benefits without sugar disadvantage.

Health Benefits

The ancient Indian system of medicine called Ayurveda highly advocates the use of coconut water to cure hyper acidity. Due to its wide array of health benefits, Coconut tree is known as “Tree of Life” in Philippines.

Having coconut water in an empty stomach early in the morning is suggested for an improved body metabolism promoting quick digestion and remove bloating problems.

According to an initial study of Journal of Medicinal Food coconut water has beneficial effects reducing VLDL + LDL cholesterol levels.

1. Liver Friendly

The truth that coconut water low cholesterol and negligible amount of fat and calories has been found to be beneficial for hepatitis patients.

The perfect balance of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in coconut water makes it an ideal fluid for liver patients.

2. Kidney Ailments

Being diuretic in nature coconut water helps in curing urinary system ailments. Coconut water also helps in dissolving kidney stones due to presence of potassium.

The potassium in coconut water dissolves mineral crystals that form the kidney stones.

3. Acne Treatment

Are you a victim of acne? Coconut water is for you! If you want to prevent blackheads, acne, blemishes and pimples try this natural therapy.

To make an anti-acne herbal preparation, mix cucumber juice in coconut water. Apply it on the face, every morning and evening. In a week, your face will become soft, acne free and moisturized.

4. Pregnancy Benefits

Coconut water also contains Lauric acid. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of Lauric acid in coconut water enhances immune system in pregnant women.

Coconut water protects pregnant woman from infectious and other diseases.

Nursing mothers can also opt coconut water to increase breast milk.

5. Summer Headaches

When you are out in summer, due to sweating, your body loses vital fluids. Under this condition your brain signals pain receptors. This causes a headache.

Coconut water is very beneficial for those who suffer more from such headaches. It re-hydrates body and gives back the energy relieving the pain.

6. Natural Hair Tonic

Rinsing hair with coconut water prevents hair fall and works like a natural conditioner. Treating your dry and frizzy hair with coconut water can really make it strong, smooth and shiny. It is like a hydration serum which treats dandruff and promotes hair growth.

7. Digestion Friendly

You can get rid of common health conditions like diarrhea and constipation by adding coconut water in your regular routine.

The use of coconut water helps to reduce problems like heartburn.

Interestingly, it is also a natural laxative. The bio-active enzymes in coconut detoxifies body and relieves constipation. In diarrhea our body loses sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium and coconut water replenishes that loss.

8. Fat Loss Drink

If you are trying to reduce your weight, coconut water must figure out in your fitness regime. In fact, it reduces your hunger crunch and you will feel as if your stomach is full.

On the one hand it controls the metabolism letting you not feel more hunger and on the other hand its fiber constituent does not let increase your weight.

9. Instant Energy Drink

If you are feeling tired and stressed out from the day work drinking coconut water can deliver you instant relief.

It maintains energy in the body removing fighting fatigue and exhaustion of everyday lifestyle.

10. Sugar Control

Coconut water is very beneficial for those who have diabetes problematical is because it has very low carbohydrate content.

Carbohydrates, are rich in natural sugar and are responsible for spiking your sugar levels. It is a good supplement to keep blood sugar levels in check as it has high fiber content.

The fiber in food slows down the absorption of sugar in the blood reducing the sugar levels.

11. High Blood Pressure

Coconut water contains some nutrients that reduce the quantity of cholesterol in the blood. This in turn, protects our heart from the stroke and cholesterol increase.

Coconut water is also very beneficial for those who have high blood pressure. A study by West Indian Medical Journal says that coconut water has a curative effect on hypertension. The potassium in the water of coconut helps in lowering blood pressure naturally.

12. Alzheimer’s Disease

You might have seen that conventional medicines have not been much successful in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In Alzheimer’s patient the brain’s cells stop working as there is degeneration of brain tissue and nerve cells.

The cytokinin in coconut water has given a new ray of hope in Alzheimer’s possible cure in future. It is suspected that cytokinin found in coconut water slows down the brain memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease.

13. Hangover

Hangover causes increased urine production which means dehydration.

As a result of this the body electrolyte gets imbalanced. What remains are common hangover symptoms in the morning like headache, nausea, and tiredness.

The antioxidants along with electrolytes like potassium rehydrates and lowers the effect of the hangover.

The Side Effects

Everything which has an advantage also comes with some side effects and so do is Coconut Water.

If you are prone to tree nut allergies it is better to consult a doctor before blindly adapting to coconut water in your daily routine.

Always try to consume a restricted amount of coconut water. Excess of its intake can surge potassium level in the blood. This can cause kidney disease and lowering of blood pressure. In fact, Kidney patient should always take doctor’s suggestion before going for coconut water.

Drinking too much coconut water can also cause frequent urination, stomach inflammation and stomach disorders.

Always go for fresh and tender coconut water. Never try to consume coconut water left in the open as this can be an invitation to diseases.
 
 
This article was written by Himanshu Jha – the founder and editor of lifebing.com. He loves to blog about health, wellness and fitness issues.