Wanted to feel hydrated and satisfy your thirst? One of the best natural thirst-quenching drinks is coconut water or the coconut juice. It has become a popular beverage in recent years. Coconut water is just one of the many edible produce of a coconut tree. According to Wikipedia, the name "coconut" (or the ancient "cocoanut") can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe and not a nut. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus Cocos. Because of the three indentations that mimic facial features on the coconut shell, the name coconut is derived from the old Portuguese word coco, which means "head" or "skull." They are a symbol of the tropics and are common in coastal tropical areas. Coconuts are botanically considered a fruit.
Coconut water is naturally delicious and hydrating, and it also contains a number of essential elements, such as minerals that many people don't receive enough of.
The liquid within a young, green coconut is called coconut water. It aids with the fruit's nutrition. Some of the coconut's liquid stays while it ages, which takes around 10 to 12 months, while the remainder turns into the solid, white flesh known as coconut meat.
Though it can be found in older fruit as well, coconut water is normally extracted from young coconuts that are around 6-7 months old. About 1/2 to 1 cup of coconut water can be obtained from a typical green coconut.
94% of the water in coconut water is made up of fat. Contrast it with coconut milk, which is produced by combining grated coconut meat with water. About 50% of coconut milk is made up of water, and it has a lot of fat.
One cup (240 ml) of coconut water contains 60 calories. Carbs - 15 grams. Sugar - 8 grams. Calcium - 4% of the daily value (DV). Magnesium - 4% of the DV. Phosphorus - 2% of the DV. Potassium - 15% of the DV.
Advantages of coconut water for health:
- Scrumptious source of hydration. Natural coconut water has a delicate, nutty flavor and is only mildly sweet. It has a moderately low calorie and carbohydrate content.
- Excellent source of many nutrients. A natural source of numerous noteworthy minerals.
- Ideal hydration booster and electrolyte replacement during exercise. Useful for rehydrating and replacing electrolytes after exercise.
- Has potential antioxidant properties. Has been demonstrated in animal studies to have antioxidants that may work to alter free radicals so they no longer cause damage.
- May lower the risk of heart disease.
- May aid diabetics in lowering blood sugar levels. Studies on diabetic animals indicate that it may help with blood sugar control, but further human studies are required.
- Could aid in preventing kidney stones. According to preliminary studies, it may reduce the production of crystals and kidney stones, hence preventing kidney stones. But more research must be done, particularly with humans.
The majority of coconut water's health advantages come from the high concentration of electrolytes it contains, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Coconut water might be a healthy option for people who are deficient in certain vital elements. Others might not find that drinking coconut water is healthier than sipping a glass of regular water.
Although drinking coconut water is thought to be low-risk, it might not be the best beverage for you if you have medical issues that call for reducing your intake of potassium, salt, or calories.
Coconut water is a delectable, naturally occurring electrolyte-rich beverage that can support your heart, regulate your blood sugar, promote renal health, and keep you hydrated and refreshed after exercise.
The study to date is encouraging, even if additional carefully controlled studies involving humans are required to confirm many of these characteristics.
AA I Floricel N. Denopol, RND
References
Is coconut water good for you? Benefits and Nutrition
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318394
7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Water
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-water-benefits
Health Benefits of Coconut Water
