Coconut water is undoubtedly one of nature’s most invigorating drinks. A clear liquid with a characteristic sweet and slightly salty taste, coconut water has become one of the more favored drinks by consumers out there. Touted for its superb hydrating properties, coconut water offers an array of other health benefits as well.
Read further and discover more about the benefits of coconut water and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends that you include this source of hydration for your quest to Become Superhuman.
Coconut Water Benefits:
Coconut water is comprised of measurable amounts of potassium and sodium, which when combined function as electrolytes that protect against dehydration. This unique composition of coconut water makes it an excellent choice for hydration during grueling workouts. Furthermore, this excellent hydrating properties of coconut water is the reason it was used as a rehydration fluid for patients with severe gastroenteritis during a cholera outbreak in the Pacific Ocean atoll of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands in the late 1970s as well. Fresh and sterile water from young coconuts has long been found safe for use as an oral rehydration fluid in children with mild gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea as well.
The potassium contained per 100 milliliters of this nourishing liquid is 250 milligrams, equivalent to that of four bananas. Drinking fresh coconut water on a regular basis is recommended for those with potassium deficiency due to infrequent consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Coconut water also contains minerals and antioxidants, specifically vitamin C, with every 100 milliliters containing about 4% of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin C.
The clear and sterile juice from young coconuts has been found to contain at least nine kinds of cytokinins or plant hormones as well. These cytokinins show potential for preventing and possibly even treating cancer because of their antiproliferative effects. Coconut water contains shikimic acid as well. Shikimic acid may possibly protect against cancer, too, because it impairs the growth of neoplastic cells that may become cancerous tumors.
Coconut Water Practical Uses:
With tons of coconut water brands currently available in the market, it is crucial to be mindful of the coconut water products you buy so that you don’t end up obtaining the varieties sweetened with processed sugar and even high fructose corn syrup. Sweetened low-calorie coconut water products should be avoided as well as these have most likely been added with unhealthy sugar substitutes like acesulfame and aspartame.
Opting for fresh coconut water is of course the best option. Unopened young coconuts can stay fresh at room temperature for up to ten days. Once opened, it’s best to consume it immediately. Otherwise, you can transfer the coconut water into a clean glass or bowl, refrigerate, and consume within the day to avoid spoilage. The gel-like endosperm contained within called coconut meat can be eaten as well.
Coconut water tastes delicious on its own. But you can always add orange zest, mint, and even lemon wedges into a glass of iced coconut water for a more healthful drink. It can also be used as a base for your fruit smoothies. Put in your choice of fruits into a blender like berries or mangoes, and add coconut water instead of plain water. If it’s not possible to obtain fresh coconuts, then just make sure to obtain plain coconut water every time.
In the next post, I’ll tell you the benefits of kombucha and why you should drink it to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.
In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of drinks to avoid as well as consume regularly and moderately on the Superhuman Food Pyramid:
Drink:
- Filtered Water
- Soda Water
- Coconut Water
- Kombucha
- Greens Drinks or Powders
Moderate:
- Non-Caffeinated Teas
- Coconut Milk
- Raw, Grass-Fed Cow or Goat’s Milk
- Kefir
- Sports Drinks
- Smoothies (With Natural Ingredients)
- Arabica Coffee Regular and Decaf
- Caffeinated Tea (includes Green Tea)
- Anti-Oxidant Drinks or Powders
- Rice Milk
Avoid:
- Almond Milk
- Red Wine
- Energy Drinks
- Flavored Waters
- Soda
- Soy Milk
- Regular Cow’s Milk
- Instant Coffee
- Blended Coffee
- Lattes
- Mochas
- Beer
- Mixed Drinks
- Hard Alcohol
If you have questions, comments or feedback about the benefits of coconut water, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the benefits of coconut water.
Author Bio: Ben Greenfield
His credentials include:
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology
Personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN)
Advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta, the “Harvard” of bicycle fitting schools
Over 10 years experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports
Ben hosts the highly popular fitness, nutrition and wellness website at http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com, which features blogs, podcasts, and product reviews from Ben. He is a frequent contributor to Triathlete magazine and LAVA magazine, Endurance Planet (http://www.enduranceplanet.com), the outdoor sports magazine OutThere Monthly and has been featured in WebMD, the Spokesman-Review, Inlander magazine, In-Health magazine, Fit-Pro magazine, PTontheNet, Prevention magazine, Women’s Running magazine, and Inside Triathlon magazine.
As a public speaker on fitness, nutrition, and training, Ben hosts one of the top ranked fitness podcasts in iTunes, the Get-Fit Guy (http://www.GetFitGuy.com), and has been a keynote lecturer at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships Medical Conference, the Coeur D’ Alene Ironman Medical Conference, USAT Art & Science of Coaching Symposium, Can-Fit-Pro Conference, Pilgrim’s Wellness Center Education Series, Fleet Feet Sports Endurance Sports Clinic and REI Nutrition Clinic. He sits on the board of directors for Tri-Fusion triathlon team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is the official coach for the YoungTri. As a triathlon coach and competitor, Ben competes at Ironman and Half-Ironman World Championships, holds a ranking as of USAT’s top ranked age grouper triathletes, and competes in 15-20 triathlons each year, both nationally and internationally.
