The Health Benefits of Coconut Water

Health benefits of coconut water, from our series on the Health Benefits of Caribbean Food

Coconut water is a refreshing and wonderful alternative to water, from a natural fruit with a hard, thick shell and soft, mildly sweet, white flesh. This flavorful and reviving low-calorie fluid stuffed with supplements yields a variety of medical advantages. Here are some health benefits:

1. Coconut water re-hydrates the body

The electrolytes found in coconut water can be used to re-hydrate the body, especially after workout sessions, heavy sweating, or loose bowels.

It is also an awesome solution for hangovers. Liquor dehydrates your body resulting in the dreaded morning-after alcohol blues. It restores the electrolytes in the body, re-hydrating and helping you to overcome this weak and nauseous feeling. The coconut water in a Bahamian “Gully Wash” won’t help you here! You’ll have to drink it on its own in the morning to feel the healing effects.

2. It helps control high blood pressure

With high vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium levels, coconut water helps to reduce hypertension. Potassium specifically, reduces challenges in the body’s blood flow by offsetting the negative impacts of sodium (salt). The natural, fresh liquid should be consumed if this is what you’d like to achieve, as the packaged kind may in fact have added sodium.

3. It helps to maintain a healthy heart

Coconut water helps to decrease bad cholesterol while elevating the good type, decreasing the danger of coronary illness. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties aid circulation, decreasing the formation of plaques in the arteries and reducing the probability of a stroke or heart attack.

4. It promotes weight loss

Coconut water contains various bio-active catalysts that aid the digestion of fats in our system. As we’ve said, it’s rich in potassium, which offsets the effects of sodium. Excess sodium in the body tends to increase water retention, also increasing water weight.

It can also make you feel full, reducing hunger and food cravings, because of its rich taste and constitution.

5. Headaches can be relieved by drinking coconut water

Most headaches are activated by lack of hydration. Coconut water can help in providing electrolytes to the body and boosting hydration.

It is rich in magnesium, which is considered to be helpful in diminishing migraine recurrence as well, as migraine sufferers usually have low levels of magnesium. 

6. It helps balance the body’s pH

Coconut water has an alkalizing property that reestablishes a sound pH in the body. It additionally helps to alkalize the acidic pH levels of indigestion.

7. Coconut water helps to manage blood sugar

It contains amino acids and dietary fiber that help manage glucose and enhance insulin effectiveness.

8. It’s a great diuretic

Coconut water increases urine creation and excretion, helping to rid your body of toxins and helping prevent urinary tract diseases. It can help to alkalize urine and disintegrate and flush out certain types of kidney stones as well.

Its antibacterial properties help battle bladder diseases. Do not drink it if your kidneys don’t work well, or if you have high potassium levels!

9. It helps to keep you feeling young

Green (unripe) coconut water feeds and hydrates your skin to keep it glowing and smooth. It can also be applied topically in the form of a face mask for more youthful looking skin. Just add enough to a little sandalwood powder to form a thick paste, apply, and rinse off after 10-20 minutes.

Disclaimer: We are not doctors or health professionals. We just like research helpful information. 🙂 Please consult with your physician before making any changes to your health or diet regimen.