Is Coconut Water Good For You?

Is coconut water good for you?

In recent years, coconut water has become quite the summer drink. As yummy and reviving as it sounds, is coconut water good for you? Let’s find out!

The taste of coconut mixed with refreshing water leaves a cooling effect on anyone who wants to beat the summer heat.

Not just that, but over the years, the drink has become very popular among athletes who can replenish their electrolytes after an intense working out session.

6 health benefits of coconut water:

There are many benefits of natural fruit drinks and the benefits of drinking coconut water are listed below:

1. Improves hydration

Coconut water is a natural beverage that can help to hydrate the body. It is often considered a replacement for sports drinks, but it has many more benefits than just providing hydration.

It is minimal in calories and carbs, compared to sports drinks, which can be packed with artificial flavors and added sweeteners.

The electrolytes potassium, sodium, and magnesium play a significant part in the appeal of coconut water. It contains potassium, magnesium, and other electrolytes which are essential for the proper functioning of the human body.

It might be the ideal hydration booster and electrolyte replacement during exercise. Electrolytes have several vital functions in your body, including preserving a healthy fluid balance.

2. Prevents kidney stones

The kidney is a vital organ in the human body. It is responsible for filtering the blood and removing wastes. Kidney stones are hard, solid masses that form inside the kidneys. They can block or reduce urine flow.

Coconut water has been found to be effective in preventing kidney stones. Hydration is a key to preventing kidney stones.

There have been two studies carried out to research this topic. According to a 2013 study on rats, it was found that the water prevents the crystals (kidney stones) from attaching themselves to the kidney or the urinary tract. It was also found that it reduced the number of crystals forming in your body.

The 2018 study suggested that the intake of coconut water increased an individual’s urination of potassium, chloride, and citrate, thus helping flush out the system and keeping the formation of these crystals low.

However, it is not necessarily an effective solution for all kinds of kidney stones, so it is better to consult a doctor before consuming coconut water.

3. Replenishes potassium

Most people’s diets are potassium deficient. Through your urine, the mineral aids in removing excess sodium from your body. Even blood pressure can be lowered with coconut water.

According to preliminary studies, it may help people with high blood pressure lower their blood pressure.

However, it may be better to avoid coconut water if you are taking blood pressure medication because it could cause it to drop too low. It would be preferable to talk to your doctor about this.

4. Low in calories and fat, and cholesterol-free

Coconut water is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and 94% water. And up to 8 ounces of coconut water has 40 to 60 calories.

It is a natural drink that contains very few calories. Many people have used it as a substitute for high-sugar drinks, like sodas.

Hence, if you want to lose weight, it might just be the perfect sugary drink for you because it will not only serve as a substitute drink but also replenish electrolytes in your body, which will help avoid fatigue and muscle cramps.

5. Better heart health

Your heart’s health is closely linked to your blood pressure levels and cholesterol in your body. Due to high potassium levels, your blood pressure can lower, which can help you achieve normal blood pressure in case you suffer from high blood pressure.

It also helps reduce cholesterol levels as it is a cholesterol and fat-free drink. Coconut water is good for your heart health because it contains potassium, magnesium, as well as a little bit of sodium.

These minerals help regulate the number of fluids that are in your blood vessels by making it easier for them to contract and relax, which keeps them from becoming stiff or clogged with plaque build-up.

6. Healthier skin

Coconut water is a natural source of vitamins and minerals that are needed by the body. It has a lot of benefits for skin, hair, and nails.

It contains natural sugars that help keep the skin hydrated, which will result in softer and smoother skin. Further, it can also prevent acne because its antimicrobial properties make it possible to fight skin conditions such as acne.

It is also good for your hair because it has potassium in it, which keeps the hair healthy and strong.

Should you use coconut water when…

You are pregnant and breastfeeding

There is little known regarding the use of coconut water throughout these two life stages. But, coconut water can be a great alternative to sugary drinks like sodas or juices.

It is a great way to hydrate the body without adding extra sugar or artificial sweeteners. It is also rich in minerals that are essential for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.

Further, the intake of potassium can help regulate your blood pressure, and electrolytes can keep you hydrated. But due to a lack of research and information, be sure to check with your doctor.

You have cystic fibrosis

Salt levels in the body can be decreased by cystic fibrosis. Some cystic fibrosis patients require fluids or medications to elevate salt levels, particularly sodium.

Coconut water should not be consumed by cystic fibrosis patients who want to improve their salt intake. It could have an imbalance of potassium and salt.

If you have cystic fibrosis, avoid drinking coconut water as a way to boost your salt intake.

Your potassium levels are high

Coconut water has a high potassium concentration level. It should not be consumed if you have high levels of potassium. This is because it will only increase the risks of cardiac arrest and kidney problems.

You have low blood pressure

Coconut water may help those with low blood pressure. As mentioned above, it is rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These nutrients are essential for regulating blood pressure. This makes it an excellent choice for people who want to lower their blood pressure.

Although, If you have blood pressure issues, talk to your doctor about how you use it.

You have kidney problems

Potassium concentrations are high in coconut water. If blood levels of potassium rise too high, it is often excreted from the body through urine.

However, if the kidneys are not functioning regularly, this does not occur. If you do have kidney issues, consult a doctor about whether you should drink it or not.

You have undergone a surgery

By now, you have read that coconut water interferes with the regulation of your blood pressure, so it is better not to consume it right before or after surgery. Actually, it is advised to stop consuming coconut water at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Albeit, you should consult your doctor after the surgery about drinking coconut water because it contains high levels of potassium that help with muscle cramps and fatigue, which are common side effects of surgery.

What does coconut water taste like?

Coconut is botanically considered a fruit, and it is also known as cocus Nucifera. The clear liquid found inside the coconut shell, also known as coconut meat, is “coconut water.”

Is it tasty and fruity, though? Coconut water is a lightly sweet drink that tastes fresh but vaguely nutty. And, it has the added bonus of the fact that you are not consuming fat or added sugar!

3 ways coconut water is good for your skin:

We have already gone over coconut water’s health benefits and touched upon its benefits to the skin. And now, we will explore 3 ways to utilize coconut water to get better skin.

1. Wash your face with coconut water

Instead of washing your face with tap water, you could wash it with coconut water because it can help your skin in many ways.

Firstly, washing your face with coconut water after spending a day in the sun will protect your skin from getting sunburnt and can also nullify other negative effects that the sun has on your skin.

Secondly, rinsing your face with coconut water can also remove acne scars. Further, after washing your skin with coconut water, you could gently massage it, making it firmer and elastic.

And if you are worried about wrinkles, washing your face with coconut water is your solution.

2. Makeup remover

Most of us usually resort to branded make-up removers, face washes, or cleansing wipes to rid our faces of makeup.

However, we are all aware of the damage these products can do to our skin because rubbing our with wipes, irrespective of how gently we do it, can result in angry red marks across the skin, and like every other packaged product, branded makeup, cleansers may sometimes contain harmful chemicals.

In that case, you could soak cotton pads with coconut water and gently remove the makeup from your face.

Remember to be extra careful when removing eye makeup; make sure your eyes are closed before you try to clean them.

For healthier skin, you could follow up the makeup removal by rinsing your face with coconut water to overcome issues such as skin dehydration and oily and dry skin.

3. Treat acne and acne scars

We have mentioned that washing your face with coconut water can reduce acne scars. But another way that coconut water can help treat your acne is by leaving coconut water on your face overnight.

Before going to bed, gently apply coconut water to the areas on your face with acne, blemishes, and acne scars.

After waking up, just rinse your face with tap water to wash out the coconut water. This can help reduce the acne problems on your facial skin, but it may still not prove to be effective for everyone. It can also be said that washing your face with coconut water can help treat breakouts.

While coconut water’s antimicrobial and antibacterial properties seem like the ideal solution to your skin problems, it is better to consult your doctor, especially if you are undergoing any treatments for your acne.

Conclusion on the benefits of coconut water:

Coconut water has many benefits and can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle, diet, and skin. It can be useful as a fruit drink and as an alternative to tap water, especially for skin benefits.

While it is a natural solution to many of the health problems that have been mentioned above, it is always advised to consult a general physician or your doctor before you choose to adopt coconut water as a treatment.

Another thing to keep in mind is not to over-consume or overuse coconut water, because too much of anything can prove to be harmful.

Other than that, you now know the many benefits of coconut water, so happy drinking as a beneficial sugary drink!