Is Coconut Water Good for You?

Is Coconut Water Good for You?

Is Coconut Water Good for You?

Coconut is getting a lot of attention lately for all its amazing health benefits. Whether it is eating coconut itself or using coconut products, it is one of the best foods. In recent years, coconut water and oil have become much more popular and marketed as a health or energy drink. The question many people have is whether or not coconut water is good for you? Thanks to scientific studies, it is easy to see that coconut water is indeed excellent for you. It can offer a lot more than just great taste.

What is Coconut Water?

The first thing to be aware of is that not all products marketed as coconut water are coconut water. Some companies are pushing sugary coconut flavored drinks and say that they are coconut water. These types should be avoided. Real coconut water is harvested from young coconuts, typically when they are about 5-7 months old. Coconuts produce this water inside the fruit. As the coconut ages, the water content goes decreases, and the flesh of the coconut develops. Real coconut water is taken directly from the coconut, and that is what provides you with the all the health benefits. Also, don’t confuse coconut water with coconut milk. A mature coconut will have a white liquid inside of it, which is called coconut milk. While it too can provide some nutritional benefits, it is not nearly as healthy as the coconut water.

Loaded with Electrolytes

Coconut water has a lot of potassium, which makes it an excellent source of electrolytes, this is a great alternative to sports drinks like Gatorade. In addition to providing you with the electrolytes you need, it is also significantly lower in sugars than most sports drinks. Coconut water is 4.5% carbohydrates compared to 6-8% for most sports drinks. A study examined sodium levels, urine output, and fluid balance in athletes who drank regular water, coconut water, and sports drinks after a hard workout. The study found that there was no significant difference in any of these categories, which suggests that they are all equally helpful. Interestingly, those who drank coconut water had lower reports of feeling nausea or feeling full, which allowed them to drink more of the beverage. So, if you’re looking for an all-natural drink during or after athletic performances, coconut water may be the ideal option.

Reduce Stress & Tension

A health benefit of coconut water that many people find to be very surprising. The balance of calcium, magnesium and other nutrients in coconut water have been shown to reduce overall levels of stress and tension in the muscles. These two nutrients can help people to stay calm throughout the day. This is at least in part due to the magnesium, which helps the body to feel good by producing serotonin. When combined with calcium the effects can last significantly longer, making it an excellent option for days when you’ve got stressful meetings or other events planned.

Reduce Heart Muscle Tension

Related to keeping muscles tension free, coconut water may help to decrease the risk of heart attacks because of this. The high levels of calcium allow the heart muscle to relax and perform its function better, which linked to reduced risk of a heart attack.

Lower Cholesterol & Triglycerides

Benefits for the heart of coconut water include its ability to contribute to reducing the cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A study conducted in 2006 found that rats who were given coconut water each day had a reduced risk of heart attack because of the lower cholesterol levels found in the heart. The rats that did have heart attacks recovered more quickly and more completely than those who did not drink coconut water. While additional research is needed, those conducting studies believe that the benefits are linked to the high levels of potassium, magnesium, and calcium in coconut water.

Reduce Blood Pressure

Studies have shown that coconut water can reduce the blood pressure in those who drink it. Specifically, the study showed that those who were given coconut water to drink for two weeks found that they had a 71% decrease in the diastolic blood pressure. This 29% better than those who were simply given an increased amount of regular water in the study. The study linked the fact that potassium found in coconut water helps to counteract the sodium. Sodium, of course, can increase blood pressure. Having the right balance with the potassium can provide many health benefits.

Adding Coconut Water to Your Diet

It is quite clear that coconut water is good for you, and is something that should be a part of your everyday diet. Today more than ever, it is quite easy to add this to your daily routine. Pure coconut water is available from many different sources. Finding a place where you can get high-quality coconut water at an affordable price will allow you to drink it daily to get all these excellent health benefits.
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