Coconut Water – Miracle Water?

Coconut water claims many health benefits

Coconut water has certainly saved many a ship wrecked television hero, but is it really going to save us in every day life? Probably not, at least on its own, seems to be the simplest answer, although it is an excellent way to take in a value added liquid.

Coconut water is a natural ‘water’ that comes from the cavity of green coconuts – inside the coconut meat.  The preferred water source is young coconuts as they produce the best water from the flesh as the coconut absorbs and substitutes the water as it matures.  (Don’t confuse coconut milk or cream with water. These are made using the flesh and are manufactured.)

There are plenty of claims about the health benefits from drinking natural coconut water. Among these include:

• Coconut water is a natural sports drink, full of natural electrolytes, simple sugars and some minerals
• There are (reported, but unscientific) claims that the cytokikins (plant hormones the help regulate cell growth) found in coconut water have anti-aging, anti-thrombotic, and anti-carcinogenic effects.
• Coconut water helps replace fluid loss from gastrointestinal tract for patients suffering from diarrhea and other digestive tract ailments.

While there are questions about coconut water's nutritional value, especially if it has been on the shelf for a while, if unadulterated with additives, it is 99 percent fat free, is cholesterol free, low in carbs and obviously has no additives.

Coconut water ferments quickly, so use it immediately as once open, it loses its nutritional value quickly. 

See more at: 4 Best Uses of Coconut Oil.

Image: Khoroshunova Olga/Shutterstock

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