Coconut Water: Is it good for you? 14 Major Benefits
Coconut water, less commonly known as coconut juice, is the clear liquid (juicy secretion) collection.
This happens inside the cavity or endosperm of young, tender coconut (fruits of the coconut palm).
Botanically, coconut plant belongs to the Arecaceae family of palm trees and has the scientific name: Cocos nucifera.
Coconut juice is one of nature’s most refreshing popular drinks consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health benefiting properties.
In general, young and slightly immature coconuts are gathered from the coconut tree after they reach about 5-7 months of age to obtain their drink.
Coconut Water Nutrition Facts
The clear, sweet, and sterile liquid is collected after opening a tender, green, healthy, and undamaged coconut fruit.
It is composed of unique chemicals such as sugars, enzymes, amino acids, cytokine, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and phytohormones.
One 100 ml cup of unsweetened coconut juice extracted from the nut contains about 2.7 mg of sugar.
However, be aware that the popular coconut water brands versions are likely to be higher in sugar, ranging from 3 g to 6 g (about 1 tsp.) per 100ml.
Pure coconut water also contains some potassium, which is essential for heart health and good skeletal and muscular function.
Approximately, 185-207 mg of potassium is contained within a 100ml serving.
Coconut juice has developed a lot of attention for its supposed health benefit as a natural sports drink. It is a great hydration for light workouts.
It appears everyone’s going coconuts for this versatile seed. But, is coconut juice good for you? What does coconut juice do? Below are the everyday benefits:
14 Coconut Juice Nutritional Benefits
- Coconut water for weight loss
There is nothing better than coconut water for weight loss and re-hydration. Filled with nutrients, this natural weight loss drink will satiate your thirst on a hot day.
It is good for athletes after a rigorous workout session. Coconut shell boiled juice also suppresses the appetite and makes you feel full because of its rich nature.
- Hangover Remedy
It’s not only fat-free, super tasty and naturally sweet, but it also loads your body up with essential electrolytes like potassium and sodium. Coconut juice is especially good for dehydration.
So, next time you overdo it and drink more than your belly can handle, consume coconut water to settle your stomach.
- Glowing Skin and Hair
With its powerful hydrating properties, coconut water moisturizes your body and hair roots, giving them much strength.
It can also be used as a natural conditioner. It comes with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which prevents itchy scalp, dandruff, and other infections that hinder hair growth.
Other Benefits Include:
- Facilitates Digestion
- Reduces Blood Pressure
- Compatible with Human Blood
- Good Source of Several Nutrients
- Antioxidant Properties
- Against Diabetes
- Prevent Kidney Stones
- May Support Heart Health
- Reduces Blood Pressure
- Beneficial After Prolonged Exercise
- Source of Hydration
Some Of The Health Claims Made About Coconut Juice?
- Can coconut water help with weight loss?
Coconut juice is low in calories and easy on the stomach. It is has bio-active enzymes that helps to ease digestion and boost metabolism.
The higher the metabolic rate, the more fat you burn. Drinking coconut juice for weight loss at least 3-4 times a day may help in losing those extra kilos.
- Is Coconut Juice Fattening?
Well, if you’re trying to lose weight, tread wisely. Surely, coconut juice is a far better choice. It contains liquid calories – about 45 calories per cup (8 ounces).
- Coconut Juice Vs. Coconut Milk
Not to be confused, coconut juice is not juice with coconut flavor in them. It’s the clear fluid inside the coconut.
But, coconut milk is an emulsion of coconut water and freshly grated coconut.
- Coconut Juice vs. Regular Water?
Like most leading sports drinks, coconut juice contains sugar and electrolytes.
It’s lower in calories and sodium, key facts when it comes to re-hydration.
If you’re doing a workout that’s longer than an hour, coconut juice may not give you what you need to replace what you have lost.
Weighing the pros and cons, plain water is still the smart choice. Your best bet for hydrating yourself, as always, is water – pure, calorie-free water.
- Coconut Juice Compared To Sports Drinks
Coconut juice has fewer calories, less sodium, but higher amounts of potassium.
While coconut juice typically has less sugar than sports drinks, it also has much less sugar than regular sodas or fruit juices.
Plain coconut juice can be an ideal beverage for those who are looking for a drink that is less sweet than soda or juice.
But the calories can add up if you are not cautious.
- Is Coconut Juice Better Than Pedialyte?
Coconut juice is all the rage and for good reasons. But is it any better than a bottle of water or sports drink when it comes to re-hydration after a workout?
Pros: coconut juice has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium than the typical sports drink.
Cons: After an intense workout, the most important electrolyte you need to replenish is sodium.
Coconut juice has less sodium than most sports drinks. Some coconut waters are enhanced with extra sodium but that can alter the flavor and make consumption less pleasant.
Coconut Juice vs. Gatorade
Like most leading sports drinks, coconut juice contains sugar and electrolytes, though it’s lower in calories and sodium. Key facts when it comes to rehydration.
However, the main mineral in sweat is sodium, something sports drinks like Gatorade tends to contain much more than coconut juice.
- Coconut Juice and Abere Seed
Botanical name: Hunteria umbellata
Common name: Miracle seed
Local name: Abere (in Yoruba, Southwest Nigeria, Demouain in French)
Coconut juice and abere seed together are good remedies for diabetes, quick ejaculation and, the treatment of pile.
- Is Coconut Juice Good For Conceiving?
Coconut oil also helps relieve morning sickness, heartburn, and constipation (three unpleasant side effects of pregnancy).
An additional obstinate problem many pregnant women suffer from is urinary tract infections.
Since coconut juice is a natural diuretic, it flushes your system out faster and can help to prevent infections
- How Coconut Juice Boots Fertility
It may not be a sheer twist of fate the popularity of coconut as of recent.
Experts have brought into being that taking coconut juice during pregnancy is good.
It can help a woman boost the fertility of her children, especially now that the level of male fertility has declined globally.
- How Much Coconut Juice Should You Take?
Coconut juice has not been well-studied as a treatment. There are no officially recommended doses.
- What Is The Best Organic Coconut Juice?
Based on taste, source, and ingredients. Here are my top 5 harmless brands for total hydration.
- Vita coco pure
- Wai koko
- Naked pure
- Zico natural drink
- Purity organic
Coconut Juice Side Effects
Up to now, there’s no evidence that it poses side effects though it might cause fullness or stomach upset in some people. But this is uncommon.
In large amounts, coconut juice might cause potassium levels in the blood to become too high. This might lead to kidney problems and irregular heartbeat.