Showing posts with label Drink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drink. Show all posts

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Coconut Water- The Newest Natural Health Drink

Coconut water is the newest natural sports drink on today’s market, however it has been around a long time. It is a popular drink in the tropics where coconuts are readily available and sold fresh on the streets cut right in front of your eyes. Like its predecessors the acai berry, smart water and green drinks, coconut water exploded onto the health food market as if out of thin air. Touting its many health benefits coconut water has become available in many brands and flavors. For those in the health industry its just the newest, natural health drink, however for the public it’s the latest in a long line of highly marketed sports drinks that we have gone crazy over. However, with its newfound popularity, comes some skeptism. For up to a bottle not everyone believes in all of coconut waters hype.


So what is this so-called coconut water? Coconut water is the clear liquid inside of young, green coconuts.

As coconuts mature the water is replaced by coconut meat. Coconut water is lightly cloudy with a slightly sweet and nutty taste. Before opening a coconut to remove the water, coconut water is sterile. Once removed it is packaged in cans, tetrapaks, or plastic bottles to keep it from fermenting. In its natural habitat of the tropics, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean, coconut water is sold fresh by street vendors who cut open the coconut right in front of your eyes.

Coconut water is a naturally isotonic beverage, a solution that has the same salt concentration as normal cells of the body and blood. That’s why coconut water has been called a life-enhancing beverage.

It hydrates the body’s cells because it’s rich in minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Coconut water has antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. Coconut water is fat free, cholesterol free, rich in electrolytes, low calorie, low in carbohydrates, and low in sugars.  The antioxidants and cytokinins in coconut water help to rid the body of damaging free radicals and promote proper cellular function such as cell division.

Coconut water was originally marketed as a natural sports drink for people who lose electrolytes due to vigorous exercise. Coconut water has two times the amount of potassium than a banana and three times the amount of potassium than most sports drinks such as Gatorade. Potassium regulates blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium and lowering blood pressure. It helps to reduce muscle cramping due to its electrolyte content. It prevents dehydration by rehydrating cells with electrolytes and potassium.  Because of its rich mineral content coconut water helps to prevent stroke, heart attack, and hangovers.


There are additional health claims associated with coconut water that have not been substantiated yet. For example there are claims that coconut water helps with anti aging and hydrates the skin. This is due to its antioxidants and because its an isotonic beverage. Other claims include constipation relief, relief of vision problems, and bladder and kidney disorders, raise metabolism to promote weight loss, boost the immune system, aid in digestion and control diabetes. Until some of these claims can be justified, coconut water will remain the newest natural health sports drink available on the market today. Its best used as a sports drink for hydration. Coconut water has become available at many grocery stores in several brands and flavors.


 

Friday, November 5, 2010

Coconut Water ? Nature's Health Drink

In times when we take every possible measure to ensure a healthy living, coconut water can prove to be a great way to hydrate our bodies. This natural drink is extracted from raw coconuts and is ideal for consumption by people from all age groups. This natural drink is 99% free from fat making it one of the healthiest drinks there are. It offers low carbohydrates and sugar with no cholesterol making it an obvious choice over drinks such as processed milk, orange juice, and needless to mention the soft drinks available in the market today.


Here are a few benefits that coconut oil offer over its closest rivals:


Whole milk – Coconut water scores over whole milk due to lesser fat content and no cholesterol, two substances found in excess in whole milk


Orange juice – Although it's a wonderful drink, orange juice loses the bet due to the high level of calories found in it.

On the other hand, coconut water offers very low calories.

Processed Baby milk – Most manufacturers claim processed baby milk to be ideal for babies; however, even here coconut water takes the title for Lauric acid, an essential constituent of mother's milk.


Sports energy drinks – Coconut water offers higher level of potassium and lesser sodium than most of the sports drinks available the market, giving it a clear edge over the latter.


Besides offering a better option for drinks than its rivals, coconut water is naturally sterile so you do not need to worry about it being contaminated or adulterated. It is a great option for replenishing your body's liquids after a hard day's work or exercise in the gym. It is ideal for people living in hot and humid areas as it works wonder at regulating the person's body temperature and keeps it cool.

Other benefits offered by this natural drink include better metabolism, body detoxification, digestive track cleansing, control diabetes, and many more. You can easily find coconut water by a trusted name in the business such as Garden of Life from any reputed online store.