Three Benefits Of Coconut Water For Your Health 

If you live in a tropical climate, you may be able to enjoy the benefits of drinking coconut water straight off the tree.

But if not, you can also enjoy the benefits of coconut water in a bottle on the shelves of your local grocery store.

It is important to note that coconut milk is not the same as coconut water. While coconut milk is the liquid extracted from the white flesh of the coconut itself, coconut water is the clear fluid that is found inside of coconuts and as such have different benefits.

Coconut water has gained popularity in recent years, due to the myriad benefits it purports to offer. 

According to Forbes Health, Here are three benefits of coconut water in keeping with the “hype”

Hydration

“Coconut water is an excellent drink to add into your hydration routine due to its high electrolyte [content],” says Cordelia McFadyen, a board-certified holistic nutritionist and the founder and owner of holistic nutrition company Inspired Living Nutrition Inc., based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Electrolytes are minerals that impact several bodily functions, including the amount of water in your body and muscle function. You lose electrolytes when you sweat, so they must be replaced.

Nutritional Value

Coconut water is rich in potassium, with 1 cup of ready-to-drink, unsweetened coconut water offering 404 milligrams of potassium (the recommended daily value, for reference, ranges from 2,600 milligrams for women and 2,400 milligrams for men). “Potassium helps contract muscles, acts as an electrolyte and supports the body’s fluid balance,” says Richard.

Alongside potassium, 1 cup of ready-to-drink, unsweetened coconut water also contains approximately 17 milligrams of calcium, 15 milligrams of magnesium, 64 milligrams of sodium and 12 milligrams of phosphorus. Calcium is necessary for building and maintaining strong bones and for the movement of muscles, among other functions.

Magnesium is important as it’s needed for a variety of functions including energy production and bone health. Sodium, meanwhile, is essential in small amounts to maintain body fluids as well as the functioning of nerves and muscles.

And lastly, phosphorus comprises the bones and teeth and also helps the body make protein, essential for the growth and repair of cells and tissues, and ATP, a molecule used to store energy.

Lower-Calorie Alternative to Some Sports Drinks

Coconut water can be included in a low-calorie or low-sugar diet—a cup (or 8 ounces) of ready-to-drink, unsweetened coconut water contains around 44 calories and contains nearly 10 grams of total sugars. In comparison, a 20-ounce bottle of Lemon Lime Gatorade has 130 calories and contains 34 grams of sugar, while 12 ounces of Mountain Berry Blast-flavored Powerade contains 80 calories and 21 grams of total sugars.

However, this upside can disappear depending on which bottle you pick up. “The issue is that because coconut water has become so popular, there can be so much added sugar to many brands,” says McFadyen, who encourages checking labels and, if you can, opting for coconut water straight from the coconut. There are also no sugar-added, or unsweetened, versions available for purchase, which can cut down on sugar intake.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG