Are you making a healthy choice if you choose to drink coconut water every day? Or is the consumption of coconut water just a scam?
Because coconut water is the clear fluid that comes from inside of a coconut, it is technically a juice product. Compared to other juices, it is much lower in sugar and calories. The average fruit juice has twice as many calories as an unflavored coconut water beverage.
Yet there is the potential that drinking this beverage daily is just a marketing scam to purchase an expensive product that is equivalent to water. Here are the pros and cons of drinking coconut water daily to begin thinking about.
List of the Pros of Drinking Coconut Water Daily
1. It is a nutrient-rich fluid.
The water from a single coconut provides enough Vitamin C to meet the daily requirements for the average person. Several B Vitamins can be found in coconut water as well, including folic acid, thiamin, and niacin. At the same time, sodium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and other needed nutrients are available. It is also high in potassium.
2. The nutrient levels are balanced.
The amount of potassium that is found in a serving of coconut water is about equal to the amount that is found in a banana. At the same time, it has about 60 calories per serving and sodium, so fluid retention occurs. For moments when dehydration may be possible and heavy sweating has been involved, coconut water can provide the necessary replenishment to keep going.
3. It is an alternative to artificial drinks.
Not every coconut water product is created equally. Some are mixed with plain water to create a 75/25 ratio. Others have chunks of coconut included in the beverage. There are canned coconut water beverages that have corn syrup or other sweeteners. Look for products that have one ingredient: 100% coconut water. Compared to an artificial drink, which includes coloring or flavoring ingredients, coconut water is a viable and affordable alternative.
4. There may be antioxidant properties.
Drinking coconut water daily may increase a person’s antioxidant levels, providing more opportunities to modify free radicals so they cannot cause harm to the body. There may be benefits in oxidative stress levels, decreased blood pressure benefits, and improved insulin sensitivity thanks to the magnesium it contains.
5. It tastes good.
No marketing plan can save a product that doesn’t taste good. Coconut water is ultimately popular because it has a nice, subtle flavor to it. The water is harvested from green coconuts that are just beginning to form, so it comes fresh, right from the source. You can even use it for salad dressings, smoothies, and certain puddings.
List of the Cons of Drinking Coconut Water Daily
1. It can act like a diuretic.
Coconut water can be beneficial when trying to rehydrate. It can also cause dehydration if too much of it is consumed. High levels of coconut water can cause the body to purge water instead of retaining it. The best solution is to drink small amounts of coconut water every day. Otherwise, it may act more like a laxative than a sports drink.
2. It may cause an electrolyte imbalance.
Coconut water has high levels of potassium compared to other electrolytes. If it is the primary beverage that is consumed by an individual, then it may cause a condition called hyperkalemia, which means there is too much potassium in the blood. Coconut water can be a good supplement for other fluids, but unless there is a potassium deficiency, consuming high levels of it rapidly is not generally recommended.
3. It isn’t a cheap product.
The average price per serving for coconut water, when purchased from a store, is about $3. That is three times the cost of bottled water and about double to cost of a sports drink. For someone living on a limited budget, trying to drink coconut water daily just isn’t a feasible financial decision. There are less expensive options, but these tend to be the products that aren’t 100% coconut water.
These drinking coconut water daily pros and cons suggest that, like any other food product, moderation is the key to unlocking its full potential. With about 50 calories per serving, 80 ounces of coconut water per day is the equivalent to about 25% of the average caloric intake someone requires. A glass or two after a tough workout, however, could be what is needed to start feeling better.