In recent years, coconut water has become a very trendy beverage. It’s tasty, refreshing and also happens to be good for you. What’s more, it’s loaded with several important nutrients, including minerals that most people don’t get enough of.
Here are four health benefits of coconut water;
1. Good Source of Several Nutrients
Coconuts grow on large palm trees known scientifically as Cocos nucifera. Despite the name, the coconut is botanically considered a fruit rather than a nut.
Coconut water is the juice found in the center of a young, green coconut. It helps nourish the fruit.
As the coconut matures, some of the juice remains in liquid form while the rest ripens into the solid white flesh known as coconut meat. Coconut water forms naturally in the fruit and contains 94% water and very little fat.
May Reduce Blood Pressure
Coconut water may be great for controlling blood pressure.
In one small study in people with high blood pressure, coconut water improved systolic blood pressure (the higher number of a blood pressure reading) in 71% of participants. Additionally, coconut water contains an impressive 600 mg of potassium in 8 ounces (240 ml). Potassium has been shown to lower blood pressure in people with high or normal blood pressure. What’s more, one animal study found that coconut water has anti-thrombotic activity, which means it may prevent the formation of blood clots. Coconut water may help lower blood pressure and potentially decrease the risk of blood clots forming in your arteries.
Delicious Source of Hydration
Coconut water is slightly sweet with a subtle, nutty flavor. It’s also fairly low in calories and carbs. The water is freshest when it comes directly from the coconut. Simply press a straw into the soft part of a green coconut and start drinking.
Store the coconut in your refrigerator and consume it within two to three weeks of purchase.
Coconut water can be consumed directly from green coconuts or bought in bottles.
May Support Heart Health
Drinking coconut water may be helpful to reduce heart disease risk. In one study, rats that consumed coconut water had reductions in blood cholesterol and triglycerides. They also experienced significant decreases in liver fat. In another study, the same researchers fed rats a similar diet supplemented with the same dosage (4 ml per 100 grams of body weight) of coconut water. After 45 days, the coconut water group had a reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride levels that rivaled the effects of a statin drug used to lower cholesterol.
Keep in mind that this was a very high dose. In human terms, it would be equivalent to a 150-pound (68-kg) person consuming 91 ounces (2.7 liters) of coconut water per day.
Nevertheless, the finding that it reduced cholesterol as effectively as a statin drug is very impressive and should be further investigated.
Animal studies suggest that coconut water may have powerful cholesterol-lowering properties.
Coconut water is a delicious, nutritious and natural beverage that’s extremely good for you.
It may benefit your heart, blood sugar, kidney health and more.
Although controlled studies are needed to confirm many of these qualities, the research to date is encouraging.
Source: Healthline
