By pH health
care professionals
Everyone’s going
nuts for coconut water! This specialty drink has only gained mass recognition
in the last few years, but its healthful effects have been around forever.
What is it exactly?
No, it’s not
juice. Nor is it coconut-flavored water or coconut milk for that matter.
Coconut water is the clear liquid that comes from the inside of the coconut.
When a coconut is about nine months old, it is filled with water. When the
coconut matures, the liquid inside turns into coconut flesh, which can then be
extracted, pressed and made into coconut milk or coconut oil.
Coconut water
vs. coconut milk
Coconut water
and coconut milk should not be confused with each other as they are very different!
Coconut milk comes from the flesh of the coconut and is high in fat and
calories. In fact, one cup of coconut milk contains about 450-500 calories and
about 45 grams of saturated fat. According to the American Society for Nutrition, coconut water is only about
45 calories a cup, rich in potassium and low in sugar. Unlike thicker coconut
milk, coconut water has a very, light refreshing taste.
Health benefits
Coconut water is
known for being hydrating. Think of Tom Hanks desperately trying to open that
coconut after he gets stranded on a remote island in Cast Away.
During periods
of intense physical activity, the body loses mineral-rich fluids
(electrolytes). Coconut water helps replenish these minerals. It contains
sodium and potassium, two minerals that help balance fluids in the body. Many
people are turning to coconut water as a substitution for sports drinks. It has
fewer calories, less sugar and less sodium. For half the calories, it is just
as hydrating, if not more so. And with all this hydration happening, it makes
sense that coconut water is nature’s cure for a hangover.
Besides keeping
you hydrated, the minerals in coconut water may also facilitate digestion,
promote weight management and reduce blood pressure. In one study published in
the Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, participants
who consumed coconut water over a six-week period experienced a drop in blood
pressure.
More benefits?
According to
the Food and Agriculture
Organization, coconut water has the same five electrolytes that
are found in human blood. In medical emergencies, coconut water has been used
intravenously to hydrate when other fluids were unavailable.
Come into pH
Labs and pick up some cool and refreshing raw coconut water, so you can stay
hydrated in the summer heat.
Enjoy Your
Healthy Life!
