So what are the health benefits of drinking coconut water?

Plenty of articles, blog posts, and newsletters are out there sharing about the health benefits of drinking coconut water. Well, some also share the disadvantages of drinking coconut water. Basically, drinking too much of it is not good. As a rule of thumb, having too much of anything is not necessarily good. In this post, I will attempt to share the health benefits of drinking coconut water while connecting it with my personal experiences.

Coconut water is called mother nature’s sports drink or miracle water for all the good it does for us. I didn’t believe in it until I started having my daily dosage. It helped my bowel movements, stopped my routine facial breakouts, kept me hydrated and healthy (which meant lesser visits to the doctor’s). I am generally healthy, thus, helping me sort out of some of these issues was absolutely fantastic for my overall wellbeing. Heal the body, heal the mind.

Coconut water is rich in potassium. It has sodium, vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium. And no fats. Yes, no fats. It is a good source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. When combined, it may help in many ways.

It may have antioxidant properties. It may have benefits against diabetes. My dad who is diabetic started drinking coconut water and now his levels are very much stabilized and under control. It may help prevent kidney stones. Interestingly, a new customer sent me pictures of his kidney stones (after drinking coconut water for a few days) in his successful attempt to dissolve it to smaller bits. It worked well for this customer.

It may support heart health and may reduce blood pressure. My mum has seen her blood pressure return to normal levels after drinking coconut water. It is beneficial after prolonged exercise. I can testify to this as a former sportsman who has drunk isotonic drinks previously compared to drinking coconut water today. Coconut water is indeed a natural and healthier option. Furthermore, it is a delicious source of hydration.

Coconut water has more than 10 times the amount of potassium in most sports drinks. A 230ml glass of coconut water is packed with as much potassium as a banana. The potassium in coconut water can help you in avoiding cramps.

Potassium helps keep fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, especially during exercise. High sodium levels can elevate blood pressure, especially for people whose blood pressure is already high. Potassium as an electrolyte counteracts the effects of sodium, helping to maintain consistent blood pressure. In a study including 1,285 participants aged 25–64, scientists found that people who ate the most potassium had reduced blood pressure, compared to people who ate the least [1].

Potassium is also important for maintaining the balance of acids and bases in the body. In one study, those who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day had a 49 percent lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed about 1,000 mg per day [2]. 49 percent is substantially high if you are talking about death from a heart disease. Would anyone take such risks?

Calcium is vital for more than just strong bones and teeth. It helps muscles contract and work properly. As you exercise, your muscles pull on your bones and break them down slightly. As your body recovers, your bones use calcium to get stronger and repair [3]. People who do not consume enough calcium before the age of 20-25 have a considerably higher risk of developing osteoporosis later in life as calcium is drawn from the bones as a reserve [4]. Even if you are above 25, it's never too late to get that calcium in your daily diet!

A hard workout can leave you depleted in magnesium and prone to cramps, restless muscles, and spasms. Magnesium helps in avoiding cramps and in bone health as well. It helps to move calcium and potassium into muscles to aid in contraction and relaxation. It also helps with energy production and supports organ function [5]. There is a well-illustrated diagram on the benefits of the magnesium shown in the link above. Do check it out.

In addition to all of its hydrating benefits, coconut water contains antioxidants that help to neutralize oxidative stress and free radicals created by exercise. Fresh coconut water comes in highest levels of antioxidants. Processed and heat pasteurized coconut water has fewer antioxidants. So beware of brands that sell processed and pasteurized coconut water. I will touch on this later on.

Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients, experts say. It may not be the cure for the common cold. But the benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling [6].

As a skeptic, I turned to coconut water and it benefited me. I believe it has done the same for millions of others. There is no harm in trying it out if you think it could help you. And good on you if you have decided to take the leap. A word of caution though as there are many brands out there claiming to be legit. This article here would help to enlighten you on how to avoid some of them.

So what do you think? Would you like to give a try to coconut water? Leave a comment or before ordering from our online platform here, head down to Qoolco first for a free sampling of our real, pure, fresh and raw coconut water.