The scientific name of coconut is Cocos Nucifera. It belongs to the family of Arecaceae. Coconut mainly originated in the south-eastern part of Asia. It has various different names in various different languages, like Kobbari Bondam Neeru in Telegu, Nariyal Pani in Hindi, Tenkay Tanner in Tamil, Karikkin Vellam in Malayalam, YeLeneeru in Kannada, etc. Coconut water has been the de-facto natural drink for centuries; therefore, it is only recently that more benefits of coconut water have been discovered. It is also an important substitute for various artificial aerated and sports drinks.
Coconut water is very low in calories compared to artificial beverages and therefore is used by many athletes. It is also delicious, so you don’t have to worry about tingling your taste buds. Following are some of the best information you can give yourself about coconut water.
What Is Coconut Water?
Coconut water is defined as the clear fluid or the liquid that is present inside the pulp of the coconut. It is very rich in nutrients and therefore, it is also known as a natural drink. The coconut water is harvested naturally via rainwater and the secretions of the coconut plant. Coconut water is rich in various minerals and nutrients.
Is Coconut Water Good For Health?
Is coconut water healthy? Yes, indeed. Coconut water is nutritious for our bodies. It contains various essential electrolytes, nutrients, amino acids, phytohormones, cytokines, and a lot more other compounds as well. These compounds help benefit the body naturally, without any harmful chemicals; therefore, coconut water is a delicious beverage.
Importance Of Coconut Water To The Body:
There are various importance of coconut water to the body, but the main benefit would be restoring hydration. After continued and prolonged exercises, the nutritional value of coconut water will help replenish all the lost electrolytes from the body via sweat and help the body regain its structure. Why is coconut water healthy? Electrolytes are vital and essential minerals that play several roles in our body, thereby maintaining a healthy fluid balance. It contains minerals like Potassium and Sodium that help keep the optimal blood pressure in the body.
How To Drink Coconut Water?
You can easily drink coconut water by cutting open the pulp collecting all the coconut water in a container and drinking it with a straw. The process is very simple and therefore will not require much effort to get it done. There is also no need to mix any ingredients with the naturally made coconut water.
How Much Coconut Water Should I Drink A Day?
You should always drink coconut water early in the morning, on an empty stomach, as it would give the most benefits. Apart from that, too much drinking of coconut water can have real side effects on the body, and therefore a maximum of around 2.5-3 litres of coconut water per day will be enough for most people out there.
Best Time To Drink Coconut Water:
As previously said, coconut water is best to drink in the early morning, on an empty stomach. Later throughout the day, you can drink coconut water when thirsty or after an intense workout session. Nutritional benefits of coconut water is a natural beverage, so you do not need a specific time to drink coconut water. Just make sure to keep the limits in mind.
Coconut Water Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (240 ml) of the nutritional content of coconut water contains:
Vitamins In Coconut Water: 16.2 mg or 31 % of Vitamins (Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, etcetera.)
Proteins In Coconut Water: 1.7 grams or 3 % of Protein (Phenylalanine, Valine, Arginine, Alanine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Serine, etcetera.)
Calcium In Coconut Water: 57.6 mg or 6 % of minerals in coconut water content.
Fibre In Coconut Water: 2.6 grams or 11 % of total carbohydrate content.
Coconut Water Calories: 45.6 or 191 kJ of Calories, which comprises 3 % of the liquid.
Fats and Fatty Acids In Coconut Water: Total fat content is 0.5 grams or 0.1 % of the overall liquid.
Carbs In Coconut Water: Total carbohydrate content is 8.9 grams or 3 % of the overall liquid.
Potassium In Coconut Water: 600 mg or 17 % of the mineral content.
Sodium In Coconut Water: 252 mg or 11 % of the mineral content.
Benefits Of Coconut Water For Skin, Hair & Health:
Here we enlisted the 15 best health benefits of drinking coconut water. Let’s have a look at them.
Health Benefits Of Coconut Water:
1. Boosts Hydration:
It is no doubt that the main reason why dehydration occurs is the drop in the water content in the body. It can be due to many reasons, either due to lack of drinking any water or due to losing excessive water via excretion. Coconut water can boost hydration in the body to avoid problems.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Regarding this issue, drinking a glass of coconut water will help you restore all the essential salts and nutrients.
- The high water content in coconut water will help you replenish your body.
2. Support Heart Health:
To maintain a healthy and lively heart, you need to make sure you intake nutritious food and exercise regularly. Studies have proved that nariyal pani benefits do help in reducing the risk of heart attacks, lower blood pressure and also decrease hypertension as well. Thus, coconut water helps to attack germs and support heart health. Even, proper circulation of blood is maintained by the coconut water.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Drinking fresh and tender coconut water once per day will help improve the workability of the heart.
3. Prevent Kidney Stones:
The health benefits of coconut water can also help in preventing kidney stones. It is no doubt that kidney stones produce a lot of pain and can also lead to health issues as well. This is why drinking coconut water advantages will help you mitigate that issue. Drink coconut water as much as possible if you are the victim of stones. Kidney stones are produced due to the accumulation of various crystals in the kidney, which are not flushed via urine. The benefits of drinking coconut water decreases the crystal accumulation in the kidneys.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Drinking coconut water, two times a day will help prevent kidney stones.
4. Promotes Cardiovascular Health:
As mentioned, coconut water is very nutritious and essential for the heart to function properly. Coconut water for heart patients makes the heart healthy so that there are no risks of strokes or heart attacks. If you have high blood pressure in your body, then coconut water will help in lowering the blood pressure. This will regularly promote cardiovascular health. So, health can be enhanced and good with the help of coconut water.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Too much coconut water is not recommended, but once a day will be enough to promote good cardiovascular health.
5. Lowers Blood Pressure:
Coconut water will help in putting a direct effect on the blood pressure of our body. It has been shown by studies that, coconut water assists in regulating the blood pressure of our body and helps to keep it low. Uses of coconut water also reduces cholesterol in the body and also helps prevent any blood clots as well. The coconut water will be very productive for lowering blood pressure in old age people.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Drinking 0.5 to 1 litre of coconut water daily will keep all these problems in check.
6. Aids in Weight Loss:
Another one of the most important benefits of drinking coconut water is weight loss. If you consume too many calories from sugary or aerated drinks, then it can become tough for you to lose weight. But, the benefits of drinking coconut water daily are an excellent substitute and therefore can easily be used as a substitute.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Consuming the benefits of coconut water for weight loss when you feel thirsty during the day, will help you keep your stomach full and not feel hungry.
See More: Coconut Oil Benefits
7. Facilitates Digestion:
It is well-known in the nutrition world that consuming fibres is very much required to keep your digestive system healthy and working in the best way possible. The overall body can be maintained by coconut water. This is why coconut water digestion is recommended because it is rich in fibre and therefore helps improve your body’s digestion. The rich content of fibre facilitates proper digestion.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Consuming a single advantage of drinking coconut water every day will be enough, as it contains the exact amount of fibre content needed by the body.
8. Coconut Water Is Good For Diabetes:
In case if you’re a person with diabetes and were just wondering if you can drink sweet coconut water, then the answer will be a positive one. Coconut water for diabetes will have an anti-diabetic effect on your body. Many of the diabetes people find it difficult to take medicines. So, coconut water can be the best choice. Patients who have diabetes are very much at risk towards excessive blood clotting. Coconut water helps in reducing the amount of blood sugar and blood clots.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- A single coconut every day will be perfect for most diabetic patients.
9. Provides Instant Energy:
The benefits of coconut water for men will give you more energy than your bottled energy drink. Normal fresh coconut water good for hydration will provide you with only 5 mg of sugar, which will be much more effective in boosting your energy than energy drinks, and that too at a lower price. It will also contain potassium and other minerals as well, which will help in the production of energy in the body.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- You can drink coconut water after a hot sunny day, and during times when you are thirsty.
10. Relieves Stress:
If you have an office travel for longer periods of time or have family problems, then there can be a number of reasons why stress can really eat up your life. Drinking coconut water will help you relieve stress, due to the presence of various Vitamins. For example, Vitamin B9 helps in the secretion of the mood-boosting hormone, serotonin. Coconut water can relieve stress and make you feel relaxed. This can also be helpful in the mood swings of girls.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- When you are stressed out, be sure to try a sip of coconut water.
11. Coconut Water During Pregnancy:
Coconut water during pregnancy is greatly recommended. Coconut water helps relieve fatigue, muscle spasms, cramps, blood pressure, blood circulation, etcetera. This Coconut water also helps in relieving nausea, constipation, and morning sickness as well. Lauric acid is present in coconut water and is available in breast milk too. This is very helpful and nutritious for the women who are pregnant.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- A pregnant woman should drink coconut water at least twice daily to help her body grow and develop for the child.
12. Coconut Water For Babies:
A small baby always needs all the essential vitamins and minerals, for his or her body to grow. Therefore, coconut water for babies has all of these and that too at a lower cost as well. Coconut water also leads to less indigestion, diarrhoea, flatulence and a lot more other stomach problems as well. So, coconut water is good for infant babies regarding diseases due to the presence of minerals.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Coconut water can easily be given after giving solid foods to your child.
- Note: If your child is below 6 months, coconut water is not recommended.
Read More: Coconut Milk Benefits
13. Treats Constipation:
Coconut water is a natural laxative and therefore is an excellent medicine for any constipation problems you might be facing. It has a high amount of fibre to ensure the stool is formed, and constipation stops. Fibre in coconut water adds to its productive nature and treats constipation. One can take coconut daily included in the daily diet. Coconut water also regulates the bowel movement and cleanses the body as well.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- When you face constipation, drinking coconut water 2-3 times a day will be very useful.
14. Cures Hangovers:
If you go overboard with your alcohol, this coconut water will save the day. Coconut water will help settle your stomach, reduce frequent urination, and reduce the urge to puke. Coconut water will also help you revitalize your body as well. The hangovers are treated very well by the coconut water. It can also prevent you from other hangover diseases.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- You have to use coconut water and ice two ripe mangoes and two mint springs to make the ultimate hangover-curing drink.
15. Treats Diarrhea:
Patients who are suffering from Diarrhea should intake coconut water. It will help in preventing the need for any hospitalization. The coconut water has a higher osmolarity rate than the WHO ORS solution. Coconut water is less in sodium and chlorides but has high amounts of amino acids and sugar. This property of coconut water helps to treat diarrhoea in an effective manner.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
- Taking coconut water three to four times daily will help maintain a well-balanced fluid concentration.
- Therefore, coconut water helps in curing diarrhoea.
Benefits Of Coconut Water For Skin:
Here we enlisted, the top 6 benefits of coconut water for the skin. Let’s have a look at them.
16. Removes Sun Tan:
If you have natural tan marks on your face or body, that are exposed to the sun, then it is time to use a natural product like coconut water. The benefits of coconut water for the skin, when applied to the affected area, will help in normalizing the skin to its previous state.
Ingredients:
- Coconut water.
- Multani mitti.
How To Use:
- After combining the ingredients together, apply the paste to the affected area.
- After 10 or 15 minutes, use warm water to wipe off the area.
How Often Should I Do This: For two months, three times a week.
17. Heals Skin Infections:
Is coconut water good for your skin? Your skin will always be susceptible to bacteria and fungi and therefore can cause the skin to form any infection, resulting in rashes or irritations. Coconut water for the skin will help you prevent all that without spending much. Coconut water has anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties. This is why coconut water is very effective in treating skin infections.
Ingredients:
- Coconut water.
How To Use:
- You have to use coconut water in the affected area, thereby reducing the infection and the symptoms as well.
How Often Should I Do This: Once or twice per week.
18. Reduce Acne:
If you are in the process of getting rid of your acne, then using coconut water is the best way to do it. You can not only use coconut water as a summer beverage but also use it as an acne treatment medicine as well. Oil-clogged follicles mostly cause acne. Coconut water helps in reducing acne.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of coconut water.
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
How To Use:
- After combining the ingredients together, use a cotton ball to apply on the face.
- After 10 minutes, use a cloth to clean it off.
How Often Should I Do This: Everyday.
Read More: Coconut Oil For Weight Loss
19. Reduces Signs of Aging:
As your age increases, age spots will appear on your skin. Therefore, if you use coconut water, these issues can be avoided and delayed as well. Coconut water helps in promoting cell growth and aids in repairing skin faster. Thus, for reducing signs of ageing, coconut can be the easiest and best choice.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon coconut water.
- 2 tablespoons plain yoghurt.
How To Use:
- Combine the ingredients together, and use a brush to apply on the face. After 15 minutes, clean the area with cold water.
How Often Should I Do This: Once or twice per week.
20. Reduce Pigmentation:
There can be various ways to remove pigmentation from your skin, but they can be full of chemicals or will be harmful. Therefore, coconut water is a great alternative to solve that issue, and it can easily remove any blemishes, tan or skin discolouration.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon coconut water.
- 2 tablespoons plain yoghurt.
How To Use:
- Combine the ingredients together and use the thin paste on the affected area.
- After a quarter of an hour, wash off with cold water.
How Often Should I Do This: Every week, one or two times.
21. Cures Eczema:
There is no doubt that coconut water is the best natural substance to treat eczema and other related diseases. Coconut water can be had two to three times a day, and it will help in keeping your skin hydrated. This is also a very cost-effective and easy method as well, compared to using cosmetics. It is a helpful treatment for curing Eczema.
How To Consume Coconut Water:
You have to drink two to three glasses of coconut water every day, and with the help of all the essential nutrients, it helps in maintaining normal pH levels in the body.
Benefits Of Coconut Water For Hair:
Here we enlisted, the top 4 benefits of coconut water for hair. Let’s have a look at them.
22. Promote Hair Growth:
The state of your hair growth will reflect your overall health as well. If you lack nutrients, your hair growth can be shunned and will cause hair to fall. Coconut water has all the ingredients to keep your hair growth steady and fast. Coconut water can promote hair growth readily with no negative effects.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of coconut water.
How To Use:
- Using cotton balls or fingers, massage coconut water on your scalp and leave overnight. Shampoo the next day.
How Often Should I Do This: Every alternate day.
23. Controls Dandruff:
Having dandruff on your scalp can be really annoying and embarrassing as well. If the dandruff is visible on your scalp then it can really reveal the state of your health as well. Coconut water has anti-fungal properties and will help remove the itchiness from the scalp and keep it smooth and hydrated.
Ingredients:
- 10 teaspoons coconut water.
- ½ teaspoon neem oil.
How To Use:
- Mix the ingredients, apply on your scalp and keep it for one hour, before washing away with slightly warm water.
How Often Should I Do This: Two times a week.
24. Treats Damaged Hair:
If you dye your hair, then your hair will automatically get damaged in the long term. All the moisture from the hair will be taken away and your hair will look dry and fried. With the help of coconut water, you can dye your hair as well as keep it nourished as well.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons coconut water.
- 1 teaspoon yoghurt.
How To Use:
- Mixing the ingredients, apply on hair and scalp for 1 hour.
- Then wash off and use a shampoo + conditioner.
How Often Should I Do This: Every week two times.
Read More: Coconut Water For Weight Loss
25. Adds Shine To Your Hair:
Using coconut water is a natural way to keep your hair shining. Coconut water goes into the molecules of your hair strand, keeps it moist and deeply conditions it. Therefore, you get glossy and bouncier hair. One can add shine to the hair simply by using coconut water in the desired manner.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of coconut water.
How To Use:
- After shampooing, rinse your hair, and then use the coconut water and 3-4 mugs of tap water as the last rinse.
How Often Should I Do This: Do when you shampoo your hair.
Coconut Water Side Effects:
- Too much intake of coconut water can lead to high amounts of potassium content in the body, which can lead to other problems in the body, including kidneys.
- If you drink too much coconut water, it will disturb the blood pressure of the body and will lower it further as well.
- After surgery, it is not recommended to drink coconut water, as it can change the blood pressure in the area when surgery has occurred.
- Excessive amounts of coconut water side effects can really imbalance the electrolyte amount in the body, and therefore can lead to other issues as well.
Overview:
Therefore, it can be easily seen that there can be various benefits to using coconut water for hair, skin, and body. The number of advantages you can potentially achieve with coconut water is too much to avoid. Coconut water not only costs less than most aerated energy drinks but is also more effective than some artificial and costly cosmetics out there. Therefore, do let us know how much you have enjoyed reading this article, and also let us know if you have any suggestions or feedback. Hopefully, after reading this article, you can use coconut water in the best way possible.