Image courtesy of Healthline.
Coconut water is known to be a tasty tropical drink, but most people aren’t truly aware of all the health benefits it brings. We know that coconuts are healthy, but most of us don’t know what it is that makes them healthy. This drink is sweet, hydrating, and packed with vitamins and minerals. It is really satisfying to have a cup, and can be even more so once you know just how you are benefitting from it.
Coconut water can be found in the aisles of most grocery stores and is sometimes used in smoothies. It is easy to access and makes for a great staple drink as part of a healthy diet. Here are all the reasons that coconut H2O is beneficial for you!
What is Coconut Water?
This drink is sweet yet still very healthy.
Coconut water is the fluid that is found inside of coconuts. It is made up of mostly water and is packed with sweet coconut flavor. This liquid is most often taken from young, green coconuts. It does not include the flesh of the fruit, which is used to make coconut milk. Different types of coconuts include different levels and flavors of liquid. Green coconuts are typically used to extract coconut water because they contain a lot more liquid than other types of coconut. Coconut water is high in electrolytes, low in calories, and low in sugar. It is an excellent beverage for keeping hydrated.
What Are the Benefits?
The Benefits of coconut water are abundant.
Coconut water comes with a long list of benefits. Some of those benefits include nutrients, antioxidants, improved blood sugar levels, improved kidney health, and better heart health. It also comes with several other unexpected benefits.
Minerals
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte that helps your body function. It keeps your nerves functioning properly and keeps your heartbeat regular. It reverses some of sodium’s harmful effects on your blood pressure, which keeps your heart healthy. It relaxes the walls of your blood vessels. It also plays a part in the functioning of the kidneys and muscles. Just one cup of coconut water contains about 600 mg potassium. That is even more potassium than you’ll find in a banana.
Calcium
Calcium is necessary for the body to build and maintain strong bones. It also plays a role in the health of your heart, muscles, and nerves. A lack of calcium can lead to an irregular heartbeat and weaker teeth and bones. Calcium also is an important part of blood clotting. Key enzymes are not able to work at top capacity without calcium. Studies have also found that calcium lowers the risk of high blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels. You will find about 58 mg of calcium in a cup of coconut water.
Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for several bodily functions. Every cell in the body contains magnesium. It assists enzymes with performing biochemical reactions. It assists with energy creation, protein formation, gene maintenance, muscle movements, and nervous system regulation. It is overall involved in more than 600 different chemical reactions in the body. Magnesium also plays a role in lowering inflammation in the body and raising mood levels. One cup of coconut water contains about 56 mg of magnesium.
Aide in Digestion
Coconut water functions as a digestive. It helps with quick digestion and also helps prevent bloating after meals. It also helps prevent constipation. Regular consumption of coconut oil will keep your bowels functioning normally on a regular basis. The high levels of potassium in coconut oil flushes excess water from your system. Coconut water is also very soothing on the stomach. It can be very helpful to drink coconut water if you are sick or recovering from an illness. It won’t harm your stomach and has several nutrients your body needs to improve.
Antioxidants
Vitamin C
Coconut water is a good source of vitamin C. It is an antioxidant that’s necessary for the growth and repair of all tissues in the body. The body uses it to form blood vessels, muscles, cartilage, and collagen. It is involved in building these functions and in healing them if something goes wrong. Vitamin C is most known for its immune boosting benefits. It helps to protect your body’s cells against free radicals that can cause significant damage. One cup of coconut water can contain about 6 mg vitamin C.
Selenium
Selenium is required for the activation of the thyroid hormone. It works as a protein in the body and functions as an antioxidant. If your body lacks selenium, a person can develop heart disease, cataracts, and other physical conditions that cause inflammation. Selenium helps to reduce oxidative stress by limiting the number of free radicals in your body. Selenium neutralizes these free radicals and protects your cells from damage. It can also boost your immune system and destroy cancer cells in your body.
Improves Bladder and Kidney Function
Coconut water will help your kidneys function to their best capacity. Staying hydrated in general will keep your kidneys healthy, and staying hydrated with coconut oil offers more than the average beverage. Coconut water brings potassium into your system, and also helps to flush out the excess. It helps to remove the excess potassium, chloride, and citrate in the urine, which can lead to kidney stones when allowed to build up. Coconut water can loosen kidney stones that are forming and keep them from forming in the first place.
Coconut water provides the body with a whole host of benefits that improves its every day function. If you want to feel physically healthier overall, while enjoying a delicious drink, drinking coconut water on the regular is an excellent choice.
