Raising a Toast
THE FACTS ABOUT
COCONUT WATER
By : MANDEEP KAUR - Associate Editor, Food Marketing and Technology Magazine
C
oconut water is a popular
beverage, often named as
“Mother Nature’s sports drink”
by marketers and has been endorsed
by many celebrities because of its
outstanding health benefits. A glass full
of pure, organic coconut water is one
of the most refreshing drinks that you
can enjoy, whether it’s after a workout
or simply to quench your thirst during a
hot summer day. But the question is - Is
coconut water capable of delivering on
all the promises? Before we answer this
question it is important to know more
about coconut water.
What Is Coconut Water?
Coconut water is a naturally refreshing
beverage that has a sweet, nutty
taste. It contains easily digestible
carbohydrates that are present in the
form of sugar and electrolytes. Coconut
water is very different from high-fat
coconut milk or oil, as it is a clear liquid
in the fruit’s centre that is tapped from
young, green coconuts.
Rich Source of Nutrients
Coconut water is a rich source of
carbohydrates and electrolytes such
as: potassium; sodium; and magnesium.
Coconut water is widely used to treat
and prevent dehydration because
of this electrolyte composition.
However, some studies suggest that
the electrolyte composition in coconut
water is not adequate enough to be
used to prevent dehydration.
Health Benefits of
Coconut Water
Coconut water is not only served as
one of the best rehydration drinks
available on the planet, but it also
offers numerous nutrients that are
beneficial for your body. Other than
the electrolyte composition, it contains
other useful components e.g. cytokinins
that claim to have anti-ageing, anti-
thrombotic and anti-carcinogenic
effects. Coconut water also offers
inorganic ions, B vitamins and minerals
e.g. iodine, selenium, zinc and sulphur
that support for your antioxidant
and overall system. Some examples
of various studies conducted on the
health benefits of coconut water are
listed below:
• A study conducted on rats reported
that coconut water helps to decrease
the concentration of total cholesterol,
VLDL + LDL cholesterol, and HDL
cholesterol. These cardio-protective
benefits have been reported to come
from the nutrients in the liquid such
as: calcium; potassium; L-arginine;
and magnesium.
• Studies suggest that the regular
drinking of coconut water helped
in inhibiting crystal deposits in renal
tissues of rats and it reduces the
amount of crystals in their urine.
• The presence of L-arginine in coconut
water provides anti-diabetic and
antithrombotic effects. The research
concluded that when diabetic rats
were treated with mature coconut
water, L-arginine had effectively
Coconut water is a
naturally refreshing
beverage that has a
sweet, nutty taste
Drink Asia
18
July-August 2019