Coconut water benefits and detoxing

Coconut 🌴 Water 💦

Coconut water benefits and detoxing

It seems like everywhere you turn there are products made with coconut, and for a good reason. The coconut is an extremely beneficial plant, whether you are talking about the seed or the flower.

It is where we get coconut oil, coconut water, coconut milk, coconut flour, and coconut sugar. Coconut water, in particular, is very beneficial, which is why we have included it in Detox Organics.

Aside from the plant as a whole, coconut water has an interesting history all its own. It has so many benefits that the Hawaiians used to refer to it as the “dew from the heavens” and has remained a popular drink in tropical countries for centuries.

The coconut water that is used for drinking comes from the green, young coconuts, rather than the brown, more mature coconuts that are often found at the grocery stores. 

Benefits of Coconut Water

Water from the brown, mature coconuts is less nutritious and not as flavorful. Due to the added oil naturally found in mature coconuts, you don’t want to drink too much of it as it may upset your stomach. 

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During World War II and the Vietnam War, coconut water was used in intravenous IV solutions during blood transfusions when saline solution was in short supply.

Although it is not a direct replacement for saline solution, due to sodium levels, it is still credited in saving the lives of soldiers on the battlefield.

Besides its historical use, coconut water has many benefits to keep the body healthy and researchers are beginning to study the scientific benefits behind this refreshing beverage.

Improves Heart Health

Coconut Water for Heart Health

In studies performed on rats, coconut water was able to lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Researchers also saw a decrease in the rat’s liver fat. In fact, the results were able to rival drugs that are commonly used to lower cholesterol.

Having good cholesterol is important when you are trying to keep your heart strong and healthy.

People who have high blood cholesterol, or rather high LDL, are at a greater risk for coronary heart disease. Coconut water may be able to change that, as suggested by the studies previously done on animals.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Improve Blood Pressure with Coconut Water

If you have high blood pressure, coconut water may be one way to keep it under control.

A study published in West India Medical Journal found that when people with high blood pressure are given coconut water, 71% of them see is a significant improvement in their blood pressure. It has also been shown in animal studies to prevent the formation of blood clots.

This is most likely due to the high levels of potassium found in coconut water, which is known to help lower blood pressure.

Loaded with Antioxidants

Free radicals are highly active molecules that can cause damage to cells and increase your risk of disease. One way to counteract this is through antioxidants, which can neutralize free radicals. 

A study conducted on rats found that when given coconut water, the animal saw a major improvement in oxidative stress, which is a state caused by the presence of too many free radicals. 

Helps with Hydration and Exercise

How to Hydrate with Coconut Water

For centuries coconut water has been used as a source of hydration. It is low in calories and carbs and can be quite nutritious, making it the perfect beverage. It is almost as hydrating as pure water, especially when it is consumed post-exercise due to its high concentration of electrolytes.

In fact, it has shown to have better results on athletes than high-electrolyte sports drinks.

How to Get the Benefits of Coconut Water

There are a few different ways to consume coconut water. While the best way is to drink it right from the coconut, as this guarantees it to be at its freshest, this can be a challenge for most people.

Unless you live in a tropical country or region, chances are you have less access to fresh green coconuts from which you can extract the water from.

Luckily, because of its popularity, coconut water is still easy to find and can be bought from most grocery or convenience stores in either bottled or canned form.

When purchasing packaged coconut water, be sure to check the ingredient list to make sure there are no additional additives, such as sugar or artificial ingredients.

Many store coconut water products use additional ingredients to improve the taste of coconut water for those who do not like the slightly sweet, nutty flavor that it can have.

One of the easiest ways to consume it is through supplementation, such as Detox Organics, especially if you are turned off by the flavor of coconut water. Instead, you can drink it in a sweet, chocolatey beverage. 

 

References

  1. Sandhya, V. G., & Rajamohan, T. (2006). Beneficial effects of coconut water feeding on lipid metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats. Journal of medicinal food, 9(3), 400-407.
  2. Sandhya, V. G., & Rajamohan, T. (2008). Comparative evaluation of the hypolipidemic effects of coconut water and lovastatin in rats fed fat–cholesterol enriched diet. Food and chemical toxicology, 46(12), 3586-3592.
  3. Alleyne, T., Roache, S., Thomas, C., & Shirley, A. (2005). The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks. West Indian medical journal, 54(1), 3-8.
  4. Preetha, P. P., Devi, V. G., & Rajamohan, T. (2015). Mature coconut water exhibits antidiabetic and antithrombotic potential via L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 26(6), 575-583.
  5. Santos, J. L., Bispo, V. S., BC FILHO, A. D. R. I. A. N. O., Pinto, I. F., Dantas, L. S., Vasconcelos, D. F., ... & Gomes, O. F. (2013). Evaluation of Chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of coconut water (Cocus nucifera L.) and caffeic acid in cell culture. Anais da Academia Brasileira de CiĂŞncias, 85(4), 1235-1247.
  6. Loki, A. L., & Rajamohan, T. (2003). Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of tender coconut water on carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats.
  7. Ismail, I., Singh, R., & Sirisinghe, R. G. (2007). Rehydration with sodium-enriched coconut water after exercise-induced dehydration.

 

 

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