Benefits of Coconut Water

Coconut water is simply the liquid found in green unripened coconuts.  Coconut water has been a popular beverage in tropical countries ever since they figured out how to crack the coconuts open.

It has been found that coconut water is actually a natural isotonic beverage filled with immune boosting vitamins and nutrients. This healthy electrolyte drink contains calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Coconut water can now be found in a packaged form in many markets, supermarkets and natural food stores around the world.  It can be found in juice box style packages in natural flavour or many other flavours such as tangerine, lime and peach & mango.

Where does the water come from?

During the coconut ripening process, the water inside the nut hardens and forms the white flesh of the coconut, which used in many food recipes. Coconut water is basically the liquid from young unripe coconuts before this ripening process begins. For centuries locals in tropical regions have been drinking coconut water to boost their immune systems and gain vitality.

Benefits of Coconut Water

Many tropical countries have known of the refreshing properties and benefits of coconut water for centuries. In summer time you find people in these tropical countries (where coconuts grow naturally) drinking the water from a young coconut, which is green in color. With time, it has been discovered that apart from being energizing, coconut water is associated with a large number of health benefits as well. These benefits mainly arise from the presence of a large number of vitamins (mainly vitamins B, C and D) and minerals (like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine) in it.

This nutrient rich coconut water includes organic compounds that contain growth properties that can dramatically improve your health. The vitamins found in coconut water help stop fatigue, cytokinins, chloride, and lauric acid. This wonder drink contains no chemicals and is safe to give to babies and children. Pregnant women do also prefer drinking coconut water as a natural aid to help ease digestion problems during pregnancy. The lauric acid found in coconut water is the same as human breast milk.

Regular consumption of coconut water can naturally improve immunity, increase metabolism, alter HDL, and detoxify the body. Consistently drinking coconut water can help regulate intestinal function which is known to provide many health benefits including smoother skin and clear complexion. The monolaurin in coconut water which acts as an antiviral monoglyceride has the ability to kill an assortment of viruses and bacteria in the body.

Coconut water is also a great isotonic and natural electrolyte beverage, being a great alternative to sugary energy drinks. The abundant calcium found in this drink serves as a nutritious cholesterol free boost after workouts. Coconut water has less calories and sodium than most soft drinks or juices in the supermarket.

Coconut water is high in potassium. According to the Journal of Clinical Hypertension, individuals with high blood pressure often suffer from low levels of potassium in their diet. Drinking coconut water regularly can significantly reduce your risk of hypertension. Cultures throughout the world that use coconut in various forms such as a beverage or health tonic have fewer diseases and ailments.

In summary, the main benefits you can expect to gain from regularly drinking coconut water include:

• Provides a naturally boost to your immune system
• Increases your metabolism
• Aids in weight loss
• Improves intestinal health
• Detoxifies your body and fight viruses
• Balances body ph levels
• Stops fatigue
• Prevents hypertension
• Controls diabetes
• Aids your body’s in circulation
• Eases stomach pain and vomiting
• Reduces cancer risks
• Used in cancer therapy
• Treats urinary problems.
• Help put an end to vomiting
• Natural Isotonic Solution – helping replenish the fluids and minerals lost by body during hard work or physical activity. Many people involved in athletics or regular exercise prefer consuming it after their workout.
• Helps treat rashes on your skin.
• Helps get rid of any hangover symptoms if you had too much to drink the night before.
• Helps treat ascites - a disease that causes swelling in the stomach, due to fluid accumulation.
• Monolaurin, an antiviral, antibacterial and anti-prozoal monoglyceride present in coconut water can help kill lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, Herpes, cytomegalovirus, flu and various pathogenic bacteria.
• Hydrates the body.
• Balances the pH levels in the body and keep cancer at bay.
• Low in Carbohydrates
• Low in Fat - 99% Fat Free
• Low in natural occurring sugar
• Keeps the body cool and at the proper temperature.
• Effective in the treatment of kidney and urethral stones.
• Natural drink for feeding infants suffering from intestinal disturbances.
• Excellent oral re-hydration medium, an all natural isotonic for all ages.
• Presence of saline and albumen makes it an excellent drink in cholera cases.
• Maintains the human body's natural fluid levels.
• Helps in gallbladder disease
• Can be used as a blood plasma substitute due to it being sterile, not produce heat, and not destroying red blood cells and being readily accepted by the body.
• Kills intestinal worms.
• Helps prevent osteoporosis
• Helps control diabetes
• Promotes bowel movements
• Promotes healthy thyroid function
• Improves digestion
• Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body
• Inhibits the growth of mycoplasma
• Helps eradicate eczema
• Helps keep skin soft and smooth

Where to Find?

If you do not have access to young coconuts where you live, there are a number of alternatives available to you. Ready to drink organic coconut drinks are convenient and equally healthy, now available in most health shops and supermarkets. Most brands of coconut water do fresh coconut water in tetra packaging, which helps preserve all the key nutrients.

As you can see, coconut water does offer many amazing health benefits. It should be an integral part of any healthy diet. Coconut water is a natural energy drink, meaning there is no need for energy drinks such as Powerade or Gatorade. Remember, you can replace them with the healthy alternative that is coconut water!