According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, Faculty of Traditional Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, coconut water contains sugar, protein, antioxidant, vitamins, and minerals. It is good for maintaining electrolytes in your body and can satisfy your thirst.
Coconut water contains cytokinins and kinetin, which prevent oxidation and slow down aging. Moreover, coconut water contains almost all the nutrients needed by the body – rich in B-group vitamins and minerals, and the potassium and magnesium content is similar to human cell fluid, which is why coconut water is used to treat patients suffering from diarrhea, and even as an IV fluid.
In oriental medicine, the coconut is considered sweet and neutral and can be used to treat inflammation heat, thirst, wounds, lack of urine production, intestinal parasites, sores, and dermatitis. Eating and drinking coconut can give you better skin. In a sense, every part of a coconut has medicinal properties.
According to worldwide studies, coconut contains an extremely low amount of fat. Coconut can help you maintain a diet by keeping you full for a long time, as well as supplying your body with important nutrients such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and fiber – helping you eat less and lose weight.
Two coconuts are 140 kcal, the equivalent to half a bowl of rice.
For those who exercise moderately, drinking coconut water helps supply water to the body. For people with normal health conditions, coconut water is beneficial to the body if drunk moderately.
Do not drink water if you have just gone outside when the sun is scorching hot, because you might catch a cold more easily. The same goes for intense exercise or labor. Drinking coconut water during these moments will relax the muscles, reducing your flexibility.
However, nutritionists warn that you should only drink two to three a week, and about 500 ml each time. Overconsumption may lead to side effects such as bloating, low blood pressure, risk of hyperglycemia, electrolyte imbalance, and increased pressure on the kidneys.
The best time to drink is 30 minutes before and after intense activities by 30, and only in small gulps. By doing this, coconut water can supply your body with the loss of electrolytes and prevent fatigue.
