The juice of the coconuts is much more than just a refreshing tropical summer drink. It can benefit your health and beauty and so much more. Coconut water is delicious and full of health benefits. In Ayurveda, it is being used for treating dehydration, indigestion, urination, etc. As the fruit ripens, coconut water is replaced with coconut meat. The clear liquid found in young and green coconuts is ideally 5-7 months old.
Coconuts are one of the most popular drinks in the world.
Drinking a glass of chilled coconut water on a warm, sunny day feels like bliss.
The pure coconut water 94% with a very low-fat content usually comes from young coconuts at the age of 6-7 months, but is also found in ripe fruits and is rich in potassium and antioxidants.
The coconut, scientifically known as Cocos nucifera.
It belongs to the palm family. And despite the last syllable “nut”, the coconut is actually not a nut, but a stone fruit that is the largest seed on the planet, capable of travelling across the oceans to root on another continent.
Coconuts are native to the tropics of the Indian and Pacific Oceans; in the Hawaiian Islands, West Indies, Jamaica, Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.
Nutritional facts about coconut water:
- An average green coconut provides ab–out 0.5-1 liters. One cup (240 ml) generally has 46 calories of which 10 grams are sugar, low in protein, and almost no fat. It contains many vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that are of great benefit to health.
- The main nutrient in coconut water is potassium, roughly 600 milligrams, which can provide roughly 12% of our daily needs.
- Coconuts contain 40 milligrams of sodium and some amounts of copper, calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium.
- It should not be confused with coconut milk, which is made by adding water with grated coconut meat. Coconut milk contains around 50% water and is very rich in coconut oil.
The coconut tree is known in Sanskrit as
“Klapa-Vriksha”
which means something like the tree that fulfils all desires, as almost all parts of a coconut tree are very useful, be it the fruit, wood or the leaves.
What positive properties do coconuts have for our health?
1. The ultimate Low-Calorie Sports Drink
Electrolytes, mainly potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium are lost during exercise. The body needs electrolytes for cells to function properly. Coconuts contains all of these minerals and helps replenish electrolytes to restore electrolyte balance. It has significantly less sugar than existing isotonic drinks, making it the perfect drink for hydrating and replenishing
Tip: After a night of partying, it’s important to restore your electrolyte balance. The body loses minerals from excessive alcohol consumption. A great way to restore lost nutrients in the body. Coconut water can also help alleviate a potential hangover the next morning.
2. Metabolic Booster
Coconut water boosts our metabolism, so it ends up burning more calories, which has a positive effect on weight loss.
How come? It contains manganese.
If you are aiming for weight loss, experts recommend drinking it because manganese is essential for the smooth metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and therefore plays an important role in activating metabolism.
3. Balancing the pH level
For our bodies to stay healthy and fit, it is of the utmost importance to maintain the ideal pH balance. Due to nicotine, alcohol, toxins in food and the environment, a natural pH of our body is completely overloaded, it becomes acidic and this can lead to health problems like joint pain, weight gain, diabetes, etc.
A drink that can actually help us to maintain the neutral pH balance in our body. It is alkalising in nature, which also helps neutralize acidity and restore the body’s natural pH. It ensures that toxins get out of the body. It’s a great detox drink. However, it should be without additives, otherwise, you will stress your body rather than doing something good.
4. Coconuts can prevent kidney stones
Kidney stones are a serious health problem. It occurs when calcium, oxalate, and other compounds combine and form crystals in the kidneys. Studies have shown that coconut water helps reduce the number of crystals in the kidneys. It also prevents crystals from sticking to the kidneys.
5. Lowers blood pressure
In 2005, a study was conducted that found that those who received coconut water for two weeks had 71% lower systolic blood pressure and 29% lower diastolic blood pressure than those who consumed plain water. These benefits of coconut water can, in turn, be attributed to its potassium content.
6. It’s a great natural remedy for improving our digestion
It contains a good amount of fibers, that’s why it is considered good for our digestive system. Coconut water is an effective remedy for vomiting, mild diarrhea, gas, and gastroenteritis.
7. A facial tonic for blemished skin or acne
It clears the skin and makes it look fresh. It is of course also effective as a natural anti-aging agent.
Cytokinins are plant hormones and promote healthy cell growth, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and provides moisture. These properties of coconuts help to keep the skin soft and supple.
Tip: A simple face mask made from yogurt and it can be very effective at reducing premature wrinkles and fine lines.Combine 2 tablespoons of fresh yogurt and 1 tablespoon of coconut water, then apply it all over your face.
Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash off. Repeat this once or twice a week. The lactic acid content of the yogurt exfoliates the skin and smoothies the skin texture by reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
Coconut water is a great way to keep your health
8. It’s a natural moisturizer suitable for all skin types
It hydrates and wonderfully moisturizes the skin.
Tip: Here’s an easy way to moisturize your skin with coconut water. Take 2-3 tablespoons of coconut water and add a few drops of lemon juice and honey to it. Mix and then apply all over the face and neck using a cot–ton ball.
Massage for a few minutes, then let it soak in for 20-30 minutes. Wash the skin with cold water. Apply the mask every other day to keep it soft, supple, and glowing.
9. Treats sun damage
Thanks to the antioxidant properties and a high content of vitamin C. These properties of coconut water make it one of the best natural remedies for treating sun damage.
Tip: Use it directly on the affected skin area. Wait a few minutes so that the skin can soak everything up. Rinse with cold water and repeat daily.
10. It fights hair loss
Hair loss is a common problem for both men and women. If you’ve had the same experience and are looking for a natural alternative, perhaps you should try coconut water.
It is rich in vitamin K and iron. Iron transports oxygen to the hair roots and nourishes them to make them stronger. This helps in reducing hair loss. Vitamin K, on the other hand, is essential for healthy hair growth.
Coconut also contains lauric acid, which helps strengthen the hair from the roots, thus reducing hair loss. Coconut water also improves blood circulation to the scalp; good blood circulation improves hair density while strengthening the hair follicles.
11. With its minerals and vitamins, it can treat hair damage
Tip: Make your own hair mask with coconut water by combining two tablespoons of coconut water and one tablespoon of yogurt. You can add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Mix all the ingredients, then cover your hair and scalp with this hair mask. Leave the mask on for an hour and then wash your hair with a mild shampoo to remove everything.
Both yogurt and coconut water is rich in nutrients that can nourish the scalp and hair and repair the damage. It provides optimal hydration and moisturizing for frizzy hair and makes it soft and smooth.
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