Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside a young, green coconut, which is usually about the size of a basketball. Ideally, young coconuts are harvested between five and seven months of age, which is when they contain the most water.
A drink that has been favoured by Brazilians, Indians and Asians for years, coconut water is now widely available in places where the coconut palm doesn’t grow—such as the UK and the US, thanks to it being packaged, shipped and readily available. Coconut water has a sweet, nutty taste and is a naturally refreshing thirst-quencher. It contains easily digested carbohydrate in the form of sugar and electrolytes—perhaps why sportsmen and women favour it, as electrolytes and sugars need to be replaced after periods of exercise. We explore some of the other possible health benefits of coconut water.
See also: Coconut Oil Benefits
Headache relief
The majority of headaches are caused by dehydration, and coconut water is a good way to rehydrate and supply the body with electrolytes, especially in humid weather conditions or after intense periods of exercise. People who suffer from migraines often have low levels of magnesium, and as coconut water has high levels of magnesium it can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.
Skin tonic
If you suffer from acne or other blemishes, coconut water can help to tone the skin—simply apply a small amount of coconut water on a cotton wool pad and sweep over the skin. It can also help skin complaints from within, as when ingested orally it can provide moisture for the skin and reduces large quantities of oil. Victoria Secret supermodel Adriana Lima told The Cut that she uses ice-cold coconut water on her skin as a treat.
Digestion aid
As coconut water has a high concentration of fibre, it can help to prevent indigestion and can reduce acid reflux. Coconut water has been offered to patients with sickness and diarrhoea in tropical regions, in order to quickly rehydrate and replace excess fluid loss from the gastrointestinal tract, therefore reducing the need for hospitalisation.
What’s inside Coconuts?
Cytokinins (trans-zeatin and kinetin) have anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic and anti-clot formation effects.
Minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.
Electrolyte potassium which can help replenish electrolyte deficiency following diarrhoea.
B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and folates.
Vitamin C can be found in smaller amounts, providing four percent of the recommended daily allowance.
Bioactive enzymes help to aid digestion and metabolism, especially acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diatase and RNA-polymerases.
Coconut Water vs Sports Drinks
Coconut water is thought to be more effective at hydrating the human body than sports and energy drinks. During rigorous exercise or long periods of physical activities, our bodies lose essential electrolytes (potassium, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate). Coconut water is an excellent source of replenishing these electrolytes, with an average of 294mg of potassium, 250mg of sodium and 5mg of natural sugar per glass, whereas most sports drinks contain only half this potassium and five times the amount of processed sugar.
Coconut Water has a wide range of benefits for your health, read more on Celebrity Angels about how it can also lower blood pressure.
