It is literally magic, but you have to be careful with the amount
When your electrolytes are low, when you’re dehydrated, when you have skin conditions or your energy is below zero, drink coconut water! This is what the advertisement for the drink extracted from the young fruits of the coconut tree might sound like. This liquid is sometimes confused with coconut milk and nut butter, but it’s different—it’s only found in unripe coconuts.
The Mendeleev table in a coconut
Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus plus fiber, antioxidants and natural fruit sugar – this is what coconut water contains. And when you consider that there are only 19 calories in 100 ml of it, it is no wonder that it is highly recommended against physical and mental fatigue, for more durable muscles, during various diets and intense sports training, and for at least 5 other things:
1. Reduces cholesterol
By lowering total cholesterol levels and maintaining the amount of HDL (good) cholesterol needed by the body, coconut water benefits the heart and reduces high blood pressure. Indian scientists from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Kerala have found that it acts like the drug lovastatin, prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.
2. Lowers blood sugar
The presence of the ingredient L-arginine in coconut water makes it valuable in the prevention of diabetes because, like lipoic acid, it lowers blood sugar levels.
But beware: Unscrupulous manufacturers add artificial sweeteners to the drink, and then it becomes dangerous for people with insulin resistance, so carefully read the ingredients on the bottle label.
3. Acts as a natural diuretic
The presence of fiber and the fact that it is a natural diuretic makes experts recommend coconut water for problems in the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal system. In addition, it helps with acid reflux by maintaining the pH balance in the body.
4. Helps break down kidney stones
The consumption of coconut water helps to eliminate excess amounts of potassium, cite and chlorine (elements that form kidney stones), and prevents the appearance of new deposits by stopping the oxidation processes in the affected organs.
More advantages: The drink has antibacterial properties, that’s why it is successfully combined with drugs for the treatment of urinary tract infections, but prior consultation with a specialist is mandatory.
5. Takes care of healthy bones and skin
The presence of large amounts of calcium in coconut water supports bone health, and the lauric acid in it kills acne-causing bacteria and benefits the skin tone.
If you overdose
In our latitudes, you’re unlikely to overdose on coconut water unless you’ve stocked up on cartons of bottled from the supermarket, but there is a unique case where a 42-year-old man nearly died after drinking 8 220ml bottles for one day. He got an excess of potassium and hence – a sharp drop in blood pressure.
We tell this story because it is enlightening. 220 ml of coconut water contains 600 mg of potassium – a valuable mineral in itself that maintains the water balance in the body, especially important in case of dehydration. But its daily intake should not exceed 3400 mg. The drink is healthy, but you have to be careful with the amount.
