How Coconut Water Benefits Sweeten and Strengthen Your Life
There are so many ways to boost your health and support your body’s functionality while still enjoying the flavors and textures you love. Have you been looking for healthy foods and beverages to add to your diet? Coconut water is a great example of a healthy, nutritious drink with a scrumptious taste that makes it easy to enjoy.
Table of contents:
- What Is Coconut Water?
- Coconut Water: Where It Comes From, What It Tastes Like, and How to Use It
- What is the Flavor of Coconut Water Like?
- How Can You Consume Coconut Water?
- Best Superfoods to Pair With Coconut Water Benefits
- Are There Any Side Effects of Drinking Coconut Water?
- Who Should Avoid Coconut Water?
- Top Coconut Water Benefits for Health
- Where Can You Find Coconut Water Near You?
- Add Coconut Water Benefits to Your Life
What Is Coconut Water?
Coconut water is the clear liquid found in the center of coconuts. It is not the same thing as coconut milk. While coconut milk comes from the same fruit, it is made by grating and straining the pulp of the coconut. Coconut milk is white and creamy, but coconut water is almost clear and has a consistency similar to water.
How is coconut water collected? It is usually harvested from coconuts a few months before they reach their full ripeness. Full ripeness happens roughly one year from when coconuts begin to grow, so the best coconut water tends to come from coconuts that are between six and seven months old.
Coconut Water: Where It Comes From, What It Tastes Like, and How to Use It
Since coconut water comes from inside coconuts, the freshest coconut water will only be available where coconut palms grow. These areas tend to be in tropical climates, including many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Coconuts grow naturally in only two areas within the United States: Florida and Hawaii. If you live in either of these states, you could enjoy coconut water straight from the coconut itself!
If you don’t live near any coconut palms, the easiest way to get coconut water is in a can or carton at your favorite grocery store. Most establishments that carry coconut water offer a few different brands, which gives you a choice between products that are sourced from different places or have different types of flavor additives.
Another way to enjoy coconut water is by purchasing the product freeze-dried. This method allows the flavor and nutritional value of coconut water to be optimally preserved as it travels from its place of origin to stores around the world.
What Is the Flavor of Coconut Water Like?
The consistency of coconut water is very similar to water, though some would describe it as slightly thicker. Unlike regular water, coconut water has a natural sweetness, which makes it enjoyable to drink on its own or with other flavors. Most people who regularly drink coconut water describe it as more refreshing than water alone.
How Can You Consume Coconut Water?
Thanks to its delicately sweet flavor and smooth consistency, coconut water is easy to consume on its own or as your drink of choice along with your favorite meal. These same features make it easy to combine coconut water with other beverages into a blended juice.
Coconut water also makes a great addition to a fruit smoothie or protein shake. In fact, you can replace the water or milk you would normally use for your smoothie or shake with this healthy beverage to reap all of the best coconut water benefits without switching up your eating and drinking routine.
Best Superfoods to Pair With Coconut Water Benefits
Are you wondering what other foods might go best with coconut water to boost your health?
Coconut water is easy to add to any other healthy juice, such as beet juice or celery juice. In fact, you might find that the sweet taste of coconut water makes these somewhat bitter juices more appealing and easier to enjoy.
Another popular superfood that packs a huge health punch is acai, a deep purple South American berry that is often pureed to enjoy in a bowl with toppings.
You can make acai bowls at home by adding frozen acai paste and water to a blender. Try replacing regular water with coconut water for added refreshment, more nutrients, and an even sweeter and more satisfying taste.
If you like to make smoothies at home, adding coconut water to standard smoothie ingredients like berries, bananas, kale, and spinach will make for a delicious and nutritious snack.
You can upgrade your smoothie even more by adding other superfoods like spirulina powder or chia seeds. Spirulina and chia seeds can add more protein, antioxidants, and fiber to your smoothie, among many other useful health benefits.
Are There Any Side Effects of Drinking Coconut Water?
Coconut water is considered to be safe for the general population to consume. However, it contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates and is high in electrolytes like potassium and sodium. Anyone limiting their carbohydrate, potassium, or sodium intake should speak with their doctor before including coconut water in their regular diet.
If you track your sodium intake, you may find that drinking coconut water regularly takes up a significant percentage of your recommended daily sodium. However, that doesn’t mean coconut water is unsafe to consume if you’d like to include it in a given day’s intake; just make sure to monitor your overall sodium consumption.
Who Should Avoid Coconut Water?
Coconut water is high in potassium and sodium, which means that those with chronic kidney conditions should avoid it. The drink likely won’t cause significant problems if consumed in small quantities, but if you have any history of kidney disease, you should ask your doctor whether coconut water is safe to include in your regular routine.
Because coconut water is high in sodium, those with high blood pressure might find that its sodium content interferes with their condition. If you have blood pressure concerns, speak with your doctor before drinking coconut water regularly.
Babies under 12 months old should not drink coconut water or any other juice blends, and pregnant women should consult with their doctor before adding coconut water to their routine based on their current health status and pregnancy symptoms.
Top Coconut Water Benefits for Health
There are so many coconut water benefits that it can be difficult to list them all. In fact, if you introduce coconut water into your daily routine, you may even experience coconut water benefits beyond the ones listed here!
Take a look at some of the most common coconut water benefits for your health that you could experience by including this superfood in your routine.
Healthy, Lower Calorie Way to Boost Hydration
Everyone knows that water is the lowest-calorie way to keep your body hydrated. However, if you’re an active person who needs a little extra help to maintain good hydration levels, it’s better to include coconut water in your diet than high-calorie, high-sugar beverages like Gatorade or Powerade.
Coconut water contains only around 60 calories per serving, and the naturally occurring electrolytes help to boost hydration without the added sugar or chemicals that common sports drinks contain.
Great Source of Antioxidants
One of the best coconut water benefits is its high level of antioxidants per serving. Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds found within the body and within many health foods that help fight free radicals. Free radicals are harmful atoms found in your body that can cause a wide range of internal issues, from inflammation to disease.
The more antioxidants you can include in your diet, the better your body will be able to prevent harmful oxidation processes within your body that cause a variety of issues. You should know that the freshness of coconut water has an effect on antioxidant content: Fresher coconut water will have higher levels of antioxidants.
Aids the Digestive System
Coconut water contains high levels of magnesium, an essential mineral that plays many roles in the body but primarily aids in healthy digestion. Drinking coconut water regularly could help your digestive system function properly, prevent bloating, and support a healthy gut biome.
Supports a Healthy Immune System
A strong immune system is vital, as you rely on your immune system for its ability to prevent disease and keep you healthy. Coconut water benefits the immune system with its high levels of lauric acid. This naturally occurring acid has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Due to its high levels of lauric acid, coconut water can help remove harmful bacteria from the body. These bacteria can cause unpleasant conditions like UTIs and gum disease when left unchecked.
The lauric acid in coconut water can also help fight off viruses, including those that cause common colds, the flu, and other communicable diseases.
High Levels of Vitamins, Minerals, and Electrolytes
Coconut water is packed with a huge variety of vitamins and minerals, including electrolytes that support elevated hydration levels.
Every serving of coconut water benefits your body with five key electrolytes: magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and phosphorus. Additionally, coconut water is a great source of vitamin C. This vitamin has many healthful properties, such as strengthening your immune system
Supports Kidney Function
According to a recent study conducted on rats experiencing kidney stones, coconut water may play a key role in preventing crystallization within the kidneys and keeping the urinary tract clear. Though more evidence is needed, this study is very promising in terms of coconut water benefits for kidney function.
Prevents Acne and Improves Skin Appearance
The many coconut water benefits extend past your internal health and can even improve your skin’s external health and appearance. This healthy drink is known to help prevent the formation of acne by reducing the excess oils on the skin that can cause breakouts.
Coconut water also contains anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, which help to prevent the skin from becoming inflamed and developing acne
Helps with Hangover Symptoms
One of the primary coconut water benefits is its ability to boost hydration significantly with a single serving. You might find yourself in need of increased hydration in many situations, such as the day after a few drinks when you’re feeling hungover. Coconut water can help alleviate many hangover symptoms without making you feel nauseated.
Where Can You Find Coconut Water Near You
These days, coconut water is extremely common in most parts of the U.S. and can be found in most traditional grocery stores. If you’re unsure whether your favorite grocery store carries coconut water, give them a call! Even though the store might not carry it now, it may begin to do so if there is a demand for it.
If you live in a tropical place where coconuts grow naturally or plan to visit one soon, you should be able to easily find a place to purchase a fresh coconut. This is the most authentic way to enjoy coconut water benefits and taste — and the freshest!
Coconut water in bottled, canned, and freeze-dried forms can also be found easily in most health food stores.
Are you looking for new and exciting ways to include the many coconut water benefits in your diet? Try a coconut water based smoothie or juice from Clean Juice!
Add Coconut Water Benefits to Your Life With Delicious Blends From Clean Juice
Coconut water is so much more than a health-packed superfood; it’s also a delicious treat all on its own, as well as a quick and easy addition to so many yummy and healthy recipes.
Ordering a coconut water–based juice, or smoothie, from Clean Juice is an easy way to try out this healthy beverage in a delicious and nutritious way. Love it enough to drink it every day? Now you can by ordering Clean Juice right to your door. Sign up today for Clean Juice delivery from a location near you!
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Disclaimer: The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Consult your doctor before using any health treatment, including natural remedies, and tell your doctor if you have a serious medical condition or are taking any medications.
If you’re unsure whether coconut water would be a healthy addition to your wellness routine, ask your doctor if any of your health details might make coconut water unsafe for you.