Coconut water is the juice or liquid inside an immature green coconut and it is best to drink when it is more than 5 months as the water will have a bitter tinge if consumed earlier. Its water is one of the nature’s most refreshing drinks, consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health benefiting properties.
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| coconut water |
The coconut tree has been called the "Tree of Life" for its uncanny (nearly miraculous) healing properties and usefulness. A study of the coconut tree reveals an almost supernatural evolution to become one of the most useful species of plant life known to man.
Coconut palm flourishes well along the costal tropical environments. A coconut tree may yield several hundred tender nuts each season. Different species of coconut palms are grown all over the tropics. Naturally, their taste and flavor of water show variations according to saline content in the soil, distance from sea shore, mainland, etc.
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| tender coconut |
Any nuts younger than five months of age tend to be bitter in taste and devoid of nutrients. In contrast, mature nuts contain less water, and their endosperm thickens quickly to white edible meat (kernel). Coconut milk obtained from the meat is therefore should not be confused with coconut water. Coconut milk is obtained by grating and grinding this ‘meat’ and passing it through a sieve. It is very high in fat content – a cup of coconut milk has 550 calories whereas coconut water has only 50 calories a cup.
Surprisingly, Coconut water is more nutritious than whole milk. Its crammed with Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to block out fatigue. Drinking coconut water straight from a green tender coconut in the summer heat is simply divine. Not only is it refreshing, it also has a number of health benefits. Most importantly, coconut water contains less sodium than any other energy drink. See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 354 kcal (1,480 kJ) |
| Carbohydrates | 24.23 |
| - Sugars | 6.23 |
| - Dietary fiber | 9 |
| Fat | 33.49 |
| Protein | 3.33 g |
| Water | 47 |
| Thiamine (vit. B1) | 0.066 mg (6%) |
| Riboflavin (vit. B2) | 0.02 mg (2%) |
| Niacin (vit. B3) | 0.54 mg (4%) |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 1.014 mg (20%) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.05 mg (4%) |
| Vitamin C | 3.3 mg (4%) |
| Calcium | 14 mg (1%) |
| Iron | 2.43 mg (19%) |
| Magnesium | 32 mg (9%) |
| Phosphorus | 113 mg (16%) |
| Potassium | 356 mg (8%) |
| Zinc | 1.1 mg (12%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database | |
Fresh tender coconuts are readily available in the markets in tropical countries year around. However, they require importation into the semitropical and cold regions. Nowadays, ready to use prepared tender coconuts are made available in USA and Canada imported from Thailand and Malaysia.
In the stores, coconut water sold in packets, and bottles. However, their overall nutritional profile may not be up to the mark in terms of vitamins and enzyme levels, since some kind of additives and preservative added in order to enhance shelf life.
Benefits of coconut water:
Coconut water is very beneficial after a bout of diarrhoea, as it replaces fluid loss. It is rich in amino acids, enzymes, dietary fibre, vitamin C and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and manganese; at the same time it is low in cholesterol and chlorides. This fluid is ideal to maintain body fluids when a person gets dehydrated. Coconut water contains a good amount of electrolyte potassium, thus it can replenish the electrolyte composition in body fluids.
Coconut water was used as a “universal donor”, making it identical to human blood plasma. It was used in the Pacific War to save thousands of lives through Coconut IV’s, and emergency plasma transfusions.
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| coconut water |
Quick energy boost:
Abundant in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, Coconut Water makes a wonderful energy drink. In particular, coconut water has less sugar and sodium content compared to most sports drinks, while packing more Potassium, Calcium, and Chloride, which makes it a better choice to rehydrate, replenish and boost the body's energy levels after any strenuous activity or workout.
Weight Loss
Coconut water is a natural electrolyte and isotonic beverage which help increase the body's metabolism. Therefore, it can greatly benefit people who are struggling with weight issues.
Drinking coconut water helps a person to lose weight as it is low in fat and it keeps a person feeling full. It also reduces food cravings.
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