Do You Love Coconut Water? There’s More to It Than Meets the Eye

Have you had your glass of coconut water yet?

Coconut water is full of health benefits. 

(Photo: iStock)

From celebrities to fitness junkies, everyone is chugging coconut water. It’s cool, it’s refreshing, and is packed with health benefits. There are several reasons why coconut water needs to be part of your diet.

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1. Lowers Cholesterol

According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, coconut water lowers cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol, while raising "good" HDL cholesterol.

And nutritionists love it.

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2. Regulates Blood Pressure

The rich content of potassium is not the only reason coconut is known to regulate blood pressure. According to a study, coconut water helped improve the systolic blood pressure in about 71 percent of the target audience.

3. Fights Diabetes and Kidney Stones

Battle kidney stones and diabetes? Coconut water is your drink of choice.

The presence of magnesium helps increase insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels. Coconut water was found to reduce the production of free radicals and crystals, preventing production of kidney stones.

Chandigarh-based nutritionist Garima Walia said:

Coconut water is particularly high in essential vitamins and minerals. Nutrients such as potassium and sodium help in keeping the blood sugar under control. They also lead to healthy electrolyte balance which prevents the formation of stones in the kidney or flushes them out, if any.

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4. Gets Your Digestive Track Back on Track

This wonder drink is a rich source of fibre, prevents acidity, and promotes digestion. Next time you feel acidic, gulp down a glass of coconut water. Needless to say, if you are healthy from within, you will glow on the outside.

Coconut water is a rich source of fibre which plays a vital role in digestion. In addition, it is also loaded with various enzymes like folic acid, phosphates, and catalase which also promote smooth and easy digestion. 

Garima Walia 

5. Keeps the Body Hydrated

Put a reminder on your phone to chug some coconut water once a day. Coconut water – due to its excellent electrolyte composition – rejuvenates the body and keeps it hydrated. “The presence of lauric acid in coconut shields the skin against infections. On the other hand, it promotes cell growth keeping the skin hydrated and hair nourished,” Walia added.

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So Should It Become Your Choice of Beverage?

Coconut water is making its presence felt in fitness corridors. In fact, international brands of coconut water such as Vita Coco are increasingly finding their way in the kitchens of famous celebrities like Madonna. Tennis player John Isner even went to the extent of crediting coconut water for keeping him on his feet during his epic 11-hour marathon Wimbledon tennis win in 2010.

The presence of natural electrolytes and low sugar is partly responsible for the health benefit of coconut water, but can it really replace sports drinks and take over as the next big health drink? How much of it is permissible in a day? 

Here’s the thing: natural, unsweetened coconut water doesn’t contain many additives and hence scores above the packaged ones. However, it is not very different from water when it comes to replenishing or rehydrating the body after a regular workout.

However, it is low on sodium and carbohydrate content when compared to conventional sports drinks. A strenuous workout requires supply of both these nutrients to replenish the body.

As far the caloric count is concerned, an 8-ounce carton of unsweetened coconut water contains 40 calories and nine grams of sugar, as per a report published in Runner’s World.

Dr Pooja Sharma, nutritionist and lifestyle expert, Mumbai, said:

Coconut water is sweet in nature and in no way can be a replacement for water. I recommend limiting the intake of coconut water to no more than 300 ml per day.

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