Coconut water is the liquid inside unripe, green coconuts---not to be confused with coconut milk, which is made by juicing the flesh of a ripe coconut. Coconut milk has 550 calories per cup, most of them coming from fat. Coconut water has 46 calories per cup and no fat and contains essential vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
Hydration and Weight Loss
Coconut water is very hydrating because its electrolyte content is similar to that of human plasma. According to HealthMad, during World War II, doctors used coconut water intravenously, when regular IV fluid was unavailable, because it's so compatible with the human body. Staying hydrated helps with weight loss because it makes you feel fuller longer, which can lead to eating fewer calories. It also helps to flush out toxins, to make your body function more effectively, which may cut down on sugar cravings.
Fiber
One cup of coconut water contains 3 g of fiber, more than many other liquids. Water, soda and most juices contain no fiber. Fiber aids weight loss by slowing down the absorption of food through the digestive system, which keeps blood glucose levels even, preventing sugar spikes, crashes and cravings. At the same time, fiber speeds up the passage of food through the colon and helps you to eliminate waste faster.
Potassium
Coconut water contains more potassium than a banana, almost 300 mg per cup. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps you convert food into energy and build muscle. Muscle burns more calories at rest than fat, and this may help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Protein
One cup of coconut water has 2 g of protein. Protein can work as an appetite suppressant, helping you to consume fewer calories and lose weight. This is one of the basic tenets of all high-protein diets, and a Yale University study published in 1999 found that a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet "will lead to reduced hunger." Coconut water can be a part of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that promotes weight loss, lowers cholesterol levels and boosts the immune system.
Vitamin C
Coconut water is high in the anti-oxidant vitamin C, with 10 percent of the RDA in a single cup. In a study performed at Arizona State University, researchers found that people with higher levels of vitamin C were slimmer and had a lower BMI and less fat in their blood. Vitamin C is essential for the production of carnitine, a hormone that carries energy to each cell in the body. Too little carnitine will cause your body to store fat instead of using it as energy, according to the website Simply Anti Aging.
Member Comments