Anyone who has casually walked down the water aisle at the grocery store will notice the confusing number of choices available these days. Simple bottled water is no longer the only item on the shelves. Among the many options, coconut water has emerged as something of a trend.
There are some sound reasons behind the trendy rise of coconut water. Behind the hype, it turns out that coconut water is not simply refreshing. Coconut water is loaded with all kinds of vitamins and minerals.
Many people who have gotten the information on coconut water now include it as part of their health regimen. Coconut water can be more than a source of hydration. Coconut water may take a place in your regular diet plans as you include more healthy things rather than sodas and sugary drinks.
There are serious health benefits in coconut water. What is coconut water? What makes coconut water so healthy? What are the many health benefits of coconut water? This guide will give you all the information you need to understand the healthy value of coconut water.
What is Coconut Water?
Contrary to what some may assume, coconut water is not water flavored with coconut. Real coconut water is the fluid found inside an actual coconut. This should also be distinguished from the emulsion that is made from the fluid and grated coconut. That is called coconut milk. Coconut water is in fact a kind of juice.
Unlike most juices, coconut water is naturally low in sugar and calories. The most common fruit juices contain twice as many calories as coconut water.
Coconut water has been used in the past for general hydration and to treat the effects of gastrointestinal illnesses and other conditions that deplete us of water. Coconut water is especially good for these uses because, in addition to re-hydration, coconut water contains high amounts of potassium, sodium, and manganese—a mineral that gets depleted from a gastrointestinal problem.
In fact, it is the high concentrations of minerals found in coconut water that has made it something of a natural sports drink.
Coconut water properties
The chemical properties of coconut water make it an ideal natural sports drink and simply a healthy way to stay hydrated no matter what you do. Coconut milk is packed with vitamins and necessary nutrients.
Potassium
Coconut water has about 10 times as much potassium as an average sports drink. Since most Americans do not get enough potassium in their diets, this can be a great advantage of coconut milk. Coconut milk contains over 400 mg of potassium in a single cup.
Calcium and magnesium
Coconut water is loaded with calcium and magnesium. These are not simply good for the health of your bones these minerals are also primary ingredients in sports drinks.
Antioxidants
We will get to the benefits of these below, but it is enough to know that coconut water is rich in natural antioxidants.
Cytokinins
Cytokinins are hormones that help plants grow. There are high concentrations of these hormones in the coconut water, and cytokinins have serious health benefits.
Coconut water also contains amino acids and healthy lipids that are ideal for athletes and people who regularly exercise.
Coconut water is also rich in fiber. This natural dietary fiber is great for digestive health and will not cause stomach upset like some fiber supplements.
Coconut water benefits
The powerful combination of vitamins, minerals, and other natural nutrients found in coconut water gives it the potential for several health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of coconut water.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are chemicals that bind with free radicals and help the body eliminate them. Because free radicals are unstable, they damage cells and can contribute to the development of cancer.
Research shows that the antioxidants in coconut water stabilize free radicals and prevent them from damaging cells. Coconut water effectively renders free radicals as harmless.
Helps digestion
Coconut water contains large amounts of fiber. This in conjunction with the high levels of magnesium naturally found in coconut water helps aid digestion. Simply drinking an 8-ounce glass of coconut water can significantly reduce problems like indigestion, heartburn, and constipation.
Helps fight diabetes
There is abundant evidence that shows coconut water lowers blood sugar and helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Research on diabetic animals revealed that test animals that were fed coconut water maintained healthier blood sugar levels over control groups who did not consume coconut water. These same studies showed that coconut water not only improves blood sugar levels, but it also makes it possible for the body to properly regulate blood sugar for long periods of time. This indicates that coconut water can help fight diabetes in the long term.
Further studies show that coconut water can reduce oxidative stress which is a serious marker for diabetic damage.
Still more, coconut water has enough magnesium to help increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Coconut water has now been viewed as a helpful addition to the diet of people who have diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes.
May prevent kidney stones
Drinking plenty of water is the best way to prevent kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys. They are extremely painful and can lead to serious kidney damage and damage to the urinary tract. But coconut water is more effective in preventing kidney stones than plain water.
Studies show that coconut water actively prevents the formation of crystal deposits and prevents them from sticking to the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract. Scientists believe that coconut water helps reduce free radical activity in the kidneys and urinary tract and prevents the biochemical process that leads to the formation of crystals that lead to kidney stones.
Sustains heart health
Coconut water is helpful in reducing your risk of heart disease. It turns out that coconut water can reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides which contribute to heart disease and heart attacks.
I one study coconut water reduced levels of cholesterol and triglycerides at a rate that was comparable to some prescription medicines like statin drugs
Can reduce blood pressure
Coconut water has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure in patients who have been diagnosed with hypertension. Studies show that drinking coconut water helps reduce dangerous blood pressure in as many as 71 percent of the people who participated in the study.
One explanation for the effects of coconut water on blood pressure is the high levels of potassium it contains. It is already known that potassium can help lower and regulate blood pressure.
The same effect that helps lower blood pressure has also been linked to anti-thrombotic properties in coconut water. This has the effect of reducing the chance of forming blood clots.
Natural sports drink
It turns out that one benefit of coconut water that can help all of us is that it is an ideal natural sports drink. All those vitamins and electrolytes we pay for in commercial sports drinks are found in coconut water.
The high levels of electrolytes and minerals that naturally occur in coconut water are ideal for hydration during exercise and for replenishing electrolytes. Coconut water does more than hydrate, it helps maintain proper fluid balance.
Studies have shown that drinking coconut water during exercise or athletic competitions has comparable benefits as any high-electrolyte sports beverage. And people who drank coconut water instead of a commercial sports beverage reported less nausea and stomach upset. Coconut water does not have the same tendency to cause bloating as commercial sports beverages.
A delicious source of hydration
In case you need one more benefit of coconut water, it simply tastes good. Coconut water is naturally satisfying and tastes far better than plain water or most sports beverages that are sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Choosing coconut water
Given that coconut water has really caught on as a great natural alternative to commercial beverages, you will likely be confronted with a wide range of choices when you head to the grocery store. There are many brands on the market and all claim to be the best.
The most important thing to look for is simple coconut water without any artificial ingredients. The benefits of coconut water come from nature and require no additives. You want to buy coconut water that contains no added sugar or artificial flavors.
Time to drink coconut water
Unlike many sports and exercise supplements, there is no best time to drink coconut water. You can drink it any time you like instead of plain water. However, there are some times to drink coconut water that has specific benefits.
Early morning
Starting the day with some coconut water is a great way to kickstart the day. Since coconut water boosts immunity and helps improve metabolism it will work as an ideal morning beverage. Coconut water can also help fight nausea and heartburn which is common for pregnant women and maybe a great way to help fight morning sickness.
Before and after a workout
Since coconut water is a natural sports beverage, have it on hand prior to working out. Also, keep it with you as you workout since it helps hydrate and replenish electrolytes.
Before and after meals
A glass of coconut water can help you feel full and will curb a tendency to eat too much. Drinking a glass of coconut water before meals can be part of a weight loss plan. Coconut water can also aid digestion and help feelings of bloating after meals.
Before bed
The flavor of coconut water can have a soothing effect. This is great for helping you calm down for bed. The psychological effect of drinking coconut water can help reduce anxiety that prevents you from getting a good night's sleep.
Great hangover cure
Perhaps this does not pertain to everyone, but the hydration and boost of electrolytes you get from coconut water are ideal for fighting the effects of a hangover. If you overindulge, this may be the thing that will work for you. The fact is, you can incorporate coconut water into almost every aspect of your diet. Use coconut water instead of juice when you make a smoothie. Cook with coconut water and mix it into homemade salad dressings. Use coconut water as the liquid part of a protein shake. Coconut water is just as versatile and easy to incorporate as water.
Product showcase
If you are unsure of which coconut water is the best to begin utilizing it in your daily routines, go with a known product like Spartan Detox.
The best source of coconut water and other juices is Spartan Detox. Spartan Detox offers natural juices and smoothies prepared every day using the best quality fruits outdoors offering an exceptional taste and drink experience that will help your body feel energetic.
Our natural juices and smoothies are prepared every day using the best quality fruits outdoors offering an exceptional taste and drink experience that will help your body feel energetic.
Conclusion
Sports drinks and bottled waters now make up an entire aisle at grocery stores. There are so many varieties of these things it can be almost impossible to decide which ones are worthwhile and which are glorified soft drinks. Instead of pouring through all of these things, you can simply drink nature's best sports drink: coconut water.
Coconut water provides all the hydration you can get from bottled water. Coconut water also provides the same benefits as a sports drink when it comes to replenishing electrolytes. All the benefits you need like the mineral necessary to ward off cramps and fatigue are in coconut water.
Coconut water also provides numerous health benefits. It can be good for your heart. Coconut water helps fight diabetes. And the free radicals that are naturally contained in coconut water fight cancer.
For something that comes directly from nature, coconut water appears to be something of a miracle. It tastes great too. If you want to eliminate the junk from your exercise and health supplements, coconut water is one great step in that direction.
