Benefits Of Coconut Water By Faisal Al Shawa
Benefits Of Coconut Water By Faisal Al Shawa
In recent years, coconut water has become quite the trendy beverage. In addition to being naturally sweet and hydrating, coconut water is loaded with several important nutrients, including minerals that many people don’t get enough of. But is coconut water capable of delivering on all the promises, or is all of this hype? Health and nutrition expert Faisal Al Shawa will tell you all about it.
What Is Coconut Water?
Naturally refreshing, coconut water has a sweet, nutty taste. It contains easily digested carbohydrates in the form of sugar and electrolytes. Not to be confused with high-fat coconut milk or oil, coconut water is a clear liquid in the fruit’s center that is tapped from young, green coconuts.
Benefits of Coconut Water
It has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium than a sports drink.
Coconut water has less sugar than many sports drinks and much less sugar than sodas and some fruit juices. Plain coconut water could be a better choice for adults and kids looking for a beverage that is less sweet. But don’t overdo it. If you drink several in one day, the calories can add up quickly.
Coconut water’s natural electrolytes make it a solid match for traditional sports drinks like Gatorade. Made without added sugar, food coloring, or artificial sweeteners, many people reach for coconut water as a more natural performance drink.
Studies have shown that coconut water can perform just as well as a traditional sports drink to keep you hydrated and help replenish fluids after a run. However, coconut water has less sodium, the main electrolyte you lose with sweat, than most sport’s drinks. It also has fewer carbohydrates than many drinks meant for endurance performance. This means it might not give you enough energy for a long bout of exercise (greater than 90 minutes), but it will help you rehydrate afterward.
Disadvantages of Coconut Water
You may be wondering whether or not it is good to drink coconut water every day. For the general population, coconut water is generally considered safe to consume and provides a delicious source of natural electrolytes. But, there are a few exceptions to be aware of.
If you have renal failure, you'll want to be careful with drinking coconut water as it is high in potassium. Although this nutrient is normally healthy for the body, when kidneys fail they can no longer remove excess potassium, and monitoring your intake is important. Coconut water may provide an unexpected but major source of potassium if consumed regularly.
Tips For Drinking Coconut Water
Faisal recommends you drink coconut water on your exercise days in order to replenish your electrolytes and hydrate. It’s freshest directly out of the fruit, but if you aren’t able to fill your fridge with fresh coconuts, there are many brands of coconut water on the shelves today. Read the label. Try to go for options that are 100% coconut water and contain no added sugars or preservatives.
Finally, coconut water is a delicious, electrolyte-filled, natural beverage that may benefit your heart, moderate your blood sugar, help improve kidney health and keep you refreshed and hydrated after a workout. If you enjoy the taste and your budget allows it, coconut water is a nutritious and relatively low-calorie way to add potassium to your diet and keep you well-hydrated.