Is coconut water really good for you?
It is likely that you will have noticed the explosion of coconut water onto supermarket shelves in recent years. But what’s all the fuss about? And is it actually good for you? Let’s take a look at the facts.
The coconut is a combined source of both nutrition (fat, protein and carbohydrate) and water. Today, the coconut is cultivated on some 100,000 square kilometers across some 86 tropical countries.
So coconut water enthusiast say it will help you lose weight and improve your skin tone and digestion. This is because it is moderately rich in potassium and also contains small amounts of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. When it exploded onto supermarket shelves everywhere in the early 2000s, it even claimed to have the power to fight kidney disease, osteoporosis and viruses. However, both the banana and the potato carry roughly the same amounts of potassium as coconuts.
Coconut water is being heavily used as a rehydration liquid for athletes and lovers of natural food. It is of course true that when you sweat, you lose water, sodium and lots of minerals. Here’s a shock for you though – rehydrated from the tap is just as good and it won’t cost you four dollars per 200ml!
On the positive side, coconut water does have less sugar than soft drinks (about two to three grams sugar per 100 milliliters versus seven to 13 grams sugar per 100 milliliters). On the other hand, it still has much more sugar than tap water, and much less fluoride.
Tap water should always be your first choice as a thirst quencher. But as a refreshing occasional drink, coconut water is fine – especially if you get it straight from a coconut, not a bottle. Just don't waste your money filling your pantry with it in the false belief it is doing wonders for your health. Especially when coconut water that sits on supermarket shelves is likely going to be full of preservatives.
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