Coconut water is one of the most refreshing, all-natural drinks there is. Unlike other fruits juices which you still have to squeeze out from the fruit, coconut water is a clear liquid that comes directly from the hollow interior of a young, green coconut. It is rich in nutrients and chemicals, including sugars, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, electrolytes, and more, that yield an array of health benefits. Coconut water is sterile and sweet, and is a great, delicious alternative to water. Despite its sweet taste, it is low in calories and naturally fat- and cholesterol-free. Plus, it has more potassium than all the potassium in four bananas combined. If that still doesn’t impress you and convince you to try out this refreshing drink, here are seven other health benefits of coconut water.
- Rehydrates the body
Coconut water will not only quench your thirst during a hot summer day, it will efficiently rehydrate your body as well. This is because coconut water is so rich in electrolytes that, in fact, it has a similar positive hydrating effect as sports drinks. Thus, drinking coconut water is a great means of rehydrating your body when dehydration due to fluid loss occurs, such as during diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating.
- Aids in weight-loss
If you’re trying to lose weight but you miss those unhealthy, sugary beverages, why not drink coconut water instead? Because coconut water has an extremely low fat and calorie content, you can consume it in generous amounts without having to worry about any adverse effects in your health and weight. Plus, coconut water can regulate your satiety levels and suppress your appetite and cravings.
- Improves metabolism
Speeding up your metabolism is another way by which coconut water helps aid in weight loss. Coconut water can improve your metabolism because it is a good source of manganese, a key nutrient for the conversion of carbohydrates and fats into energy. With a faster metabolism, your body will be able to burn more calories at a faster rate.
- Lowers blood pressure
Coconut water can help control hypertension and lower blood pressure because of the nutrients it contains, such as vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. Potassium, in particular, can balance out the negative effects of sodium thereby lowering blood pressure. To get this benefit from coconut water, you must drink at least two cups of it every day.
- Makes the skin healthier
Topical application of coconut water is a great way to clear up and subsequently tone the skin, making it perfect for those with skin types that are prone to acne and other skin blemishes. In fact, you’ll find that commercial products with traces of coconut extract are more effective for whichever purpose it was made for. Drinking coconut water can also moisturize the skin from within and can prevent overproduction of oil on the surface of your skin.
- Prevents kidney stones
Kidney stones occur when the crystals in your kidneys accumulate instead of being flushed out through the urine. This causes a lot of pain and may result to serious health issues, particularly in the urinary system. Drinking coconut water can prevent the occurrence of kidney stones since it reduces the amount of crystals that are deposited in your kidneys.
- Regulates pH levels
A lot of factors, including stress and unhealthy diet, can lead to acidic pH levels in your body, causing low energy and reduced ability to absorb vitamins and minerals. Acidic pH can also then lead to various health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and immune deficiency. Drinking coconut water can help prevent all of these problems by regulating the pH levels in your body. It can also alkalize the acidic pH levels that are caused by conditions such as acidity and heartburn.
