Health Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water
What is Coconut Water?
Coconut wateris the isotonic liquid you find inside a
young green coconut. In the tropics it is not only considered a refreshing
beverage but a health tonic. Hawaiians call coconut water noelani (no-way
lah-nee), which means "dew from the heavens." Although a variety of fruits grow
in abundance in many tropical locations, coconut water is prized above all other
juices. It not only satisfies thirst but invigorates the body and brings about a
sense of well-being and renewed health.
Coconut water contains a variety of nutrients
including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, growth
factors, and other nutrients. Coconut water is a good source of the major
minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It is particularly rich in
potassium, an essential nutrient; one 8-ounce cup of coconut water has more
potassium than a banana. It also contains a variety of trace elements such as
zinc, selenium, iodine, sulfur, manganese, boron, molybdenum, and others. These
are derived from volcanic soils and seawater from which the coconut palms are
grown. All of these minerals are in the form of electrolytes so they are easily
absorbable by the human body. Many of the health benefits attributed to coconut
water can be traced to its mineral content.
In the tropics where heatstroke and dehydration
are common problems, coconut water is far more effective in relieving symptoms
associated with these conditions than either plain water or fruit juice. Over
the past two decades coconut water has been used extensively as a treatment for
cholera, dysentery, influenza, and other infectious diseases that promote
dehydration. Coconut water has saved thousands of lives, especially of children
in underdeveloped countries. Ordinary water is not effective in treating severe
dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea, but because of coconut water’s
unique chemical composition it is able to rehydrate the body and give it the
strength and energy it needs to fight off the infection. Death rates from
cholera are high, but with the use of coconut water survival rates increase to
97 percent.
Coconut water has a therapeutic effect on the
urinary and reproductive systems. It is reported to clear-up bladder infections,
remove kidney stones, and improve sexual vitality. Medical research has shown
that the consumption of coconut water can be very effective in dissolving kidney
stones. Dr. Eugenio Macalalag, director of the urology department of the Chinese
General Hospital in the Philippines, says that coconut water has demonstrated
its effectiveness in patients suffering from kidney stones. He reports that
consuming coconut water only 2 to 3 times a week results in a significant
reduction in stone size and expulsion, eliminating the need for surgery.1
In Jamaica coconut water is known as a heart
tonic and is used to strengthen the heart and improve circulation. Animal
studies show that coconut water consumption reduces plaque formation in
arteries, thus reducing risk of heart attack and stroke.
High blood pressure is one of the primary risk
factors associated with heart disease and stroke. The minerals potassium and
magnesium are known to help reduce high blood pressure. Human studies show that
coconut water, which is a good source of both of these minerals, is effective in
reducing high blood pressure and increasing circulation.2 Studies
also demonstrate that coconut water consumption reduces the risk of heart
failure in heart disease patients.3 The evidence is so convincing
that the American Food and Drug Administration allows coconut water to carry the
claim that it "may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke."
Because coconut water improves blood circulation,
it is of benefit to diabetics. Coconut water helps dilate blood vessels,
improves blood flow, and reduces plaque formation. Coconut water also contains
certain forms of dietary fiber and amino acids that help moderate sugar
absorption and improve insulin sensitivity.
Some of the most interesting components of
coconut water are the plant growth hormones, particularly cytokinins. Cytokinins
are a group of hormones that regulate growth, development, and aging. In some
respects they are similar to human hormones with a similar name of cytokines.
Cytokinins are also known as anti-aging hormones. Cytokinins regulate cell
division and influence the rate at which plants age. Depending on the amount of
cytokinins present, the aging process in plants can be either accelerated or
retarded. One of the active sites of cytokinin production is in the roots. From
here the hormone is carried by the sap throughout the plant—much like our
bloodstream disperses hormones. Portions of plants that are deprived of
cytokinins age faster than normal, Conversely, if additional cytokinins are
added to a plant, normal aging is retarded.
Cytokinins also have an anti-aging effect on
human cells and tissues. Normal human cells, as they age, go through a
progressive and irreversible accumulation of changes until they reach a stage at
which they finally die. Young cells are plump, round, and smooth. As they age
they become irregular in shape, flatten out, enlarge, and fill up with debris;
cell division slows down and eventually stops, which is ultimately followed by
death.
When cytokinins are added to the culture medium,
cells don’t act their age. The normal sequence of aging slows down considerably.
Cells do not undergo the severe degenerative changes that ordinarily occur.4
Although the total lifespan of human cells is not increased much, the cells
remain significantly more youthful and functional throughout their lifetime. For
example, treated cells after they have reached the final stage of their lifespan
and no longer divide, look and function like untreated cells half their age.
Treated cells never undergo the severe degenerative changes experienced by
untreated cells. In all respects, their youth is extended into old age.
Because of their effects on human cells,
cytokinins have been tested for the possible treatment for age spots, wrinkles,
sagging, and dry skin. One of the factors that cause wrinkles and sagging skin
is the aging and breakdown of connective tissues in the skin. Connective tissues
give the skin strength and elasticity. When cytokinins are applied to the skin,
they stimulate cell division of connective tissue which replaces older, damaged
tissue with functionally younger tissue. The result is that on the surface of
the skin, wrinkles tend to flatten out. Dry, aging skin is replaced with
smoother, softer skin. This has led some cosmetic manufacturers to add
cytokinins to facial creams and lotions.
Coconut water is the richest natural dietary
source of cytokinins. Researchers have suggested the possibility that consuming
a rich source of cytokinins, such as coconut water, may produce an anti-aging
effect on the body, reducing risk of developing degenerative and age related
diseases.
In regulating cell growth, cytokinins also
prevent mistakes that may lead to the development of cancer. Normal cells are
kept healthy while cancerous cells are programmed to die, preventing them from
growing and spreading. Subsequently, the anti-cancer effects of cytokinins
have been well documented.5-6
Summary of the Nutritional Benefits of Coconut
Water
Coconut water contains a complex blend of
vitamins, minerals, amino acids, carbohydrates, antioxidants, enzymes, health
enhancing growth hormones, and other important nutrients.
Because its electrolyte (ionic mineral) content
is similar to human plasma, it has gained international acclaim as a natural
sports drink for oral rehydration. As such, it has proven superior to commercial
isotonic sports drinks. Unlike other beverages, it is completely compatible with the
human body, in so much that it can be infused directly into the bloodstream. In
fact, doctors have used coconut water successfully as an intravenous fluid for
over 60 years.
Published medical research and clinical
observation have shown that coconut water:
- Makes an excellent oral rehydration sports
beverage - replaces electrolytes
from exercise, heat stress and illness
- Aids in
exercise performance
- Natural isotonic beverage – contains
the same level of electrolytes found in human blood
- Has 15 times the amount of potassium as
most sports and energy drinks (264 mg vs 12.5 mg /100 ml)
- Reduces problems for infants suffering
from intestinal disturbances
- Cardioprotective: helps regular blood
pressure (due to high potassium); improves circulation
- Reduces swelling in hands and feet
- Prevents abnormal blood clotting
- Aids in kidney function including those with
kidney stones; Nutritional support for those with urinary tract/bladder problems
- Helps balance blood sugar in diabetics
- Improves digestion
- Reported by some people to reverse cataracts
- Contains nutrients that feed friendly gut
bacteria
- Helps relieve constipation or diarrhea
- Possesses anti-aging properties
- Nutritional support for healthy skin: restores
strength and elasticity to skin; reduces age spots; reduces wrinkles and sagging
- Regulates the functioning of the
intestine which promotes smoother, more hydrated skin
- Enhances healing of wounds and lesions
- Supports good vision and provides nutritional
support in those who have a tendency towards glaucoma
- Contains potent antioxidants
- Nutritionally supports immune function
- Provides nutrients important in preventing
osteoporosis
Where to Find Coconut Water
Young coconuts are available at many health food
stores and at Asian markets. But they don’t look like the brown, hairy ones with
which you may be familiar. Young coconuts have only a portion of the husk cut
off, leaving about an inch covering the shell. The husk is white and often
shaped like a large toy top, with a point on one end and flat on the other. They
are perishable so you will find them in the refrigerated section of the store.
For a great tasting coconut water drink, you can now get coconut
water powder risk free, directly from us at K+ Isotonic Coconut Water.
References
1. Macalalag, E.V. and Macalalag, A.L. Bukolysis:
young coconut water renoclysis for kidney stone dissolution. Int Surg
1987;72:247.
2. Alleyne, T., et al. The control of
hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks.
West Indian Med J 2005;54:3-8.
3. Shah, N.J., et al. Use of coco-nut water in
treatment of congestive cardiac failure. Ind Jour Med Res
1956;44:341-351.
4. Rattan, S.I.S. and Clark, B.F.C. Kinetin
delays the onset of ageing characteristics in human fibroblasts. Biochem
Biophys Res 1994;201:665-672.
5. Adair, W.L. and Brennan, S.L. The role of
N-6-isopentenyl adenine in tumor cell growth. Biochem Biophys Res Commun
1986;137:208-214.
6. Dolezal, K, et al. Preparation and biological
activity of 6-benzylaminopurine derivatives in plants and human cancer cells.
Bioorg Med Chem 2006;14:875-874.
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