What to know

The Many Benefits of Coconut Water

coconut water has less sugar and calories, and more potassium than sports drinks

While people are looking into many different kinds of beverages to stay hydrated, they often overlook coconut water.

Forget about energy and sports drinks and electrolyte-rich beverages and their many promises. If you want to stay hydrated, healthy and energized, there’s one drink for you, and that is coconut water.

Coconut water is the clear, sweet liquid found in the center of a young, green coconut. It tastes slightly nutty, and contains easily digested carbohydrates in the form of sugar and electrolytes.

Not to be confused with coconut milk or oil, coconut water is naturally free of fat and cholesterol, and contains even more potassium than four bananas.

Because of it’s recent popularity with athletes, it has been dubbed “nature’s energy drink’. Believe it or not, it is even better than most fresh fruit juices as well.

Coconut water has fewer calories and less sodium than your average sports drink. An ounce of it usually contains about 5.45 calories and 1.3 grams of sugar. Popular sports drink Gatorade has 6.25 calories and 1.75 grams of sugar.

However, if you want to benefit from coconut water it is best to either buy a coconut and tap it yourself, or buy genuine water with no additives from a trusted source. Most types of bottled coconut water contain added sugar, preservatives and flavorings, which has a counter-effect on all the good in it.

When it comes to its health benefits, many specialists have different views, but none believe it to be bad.

Antioxidants found in coconut water are believed to support your overall health, and could even help rid your body from free radicals. And cytokinins found in it are effective anti-aging agents, as well as cancer fighters.

Even if your suffering from kidney stones, some doctors recommend that you drink coconut water to help pass them with ease.

 

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