Coconut water is derived from the coconut meat and is used in many Asian countries as a staple diet. It is not an indigenous product of Southeast Asia but was introduced to the mainstream of society in the mid-nineteenth century. DescriptionCoconuts come in a variety of colors depending on where they are grown. Green water, white water, and yellow water are just some of the different types of coconuts grown in Southeast Asia.
DescriptionCoconuts, also called coconut water, is the coconut liquid within the interior skin of the mature coconut. In early evolution, it acts as a buffer for the live endosperm of the coconut at the time of its development. This is the reason why green coconuts have a longer shelf life than do yellow or white coconuts (the latter do not have a green skin). As this liquid continues to cool and solidify, its consistency turns into that of coconut milk, hence the different names.
An alternative to plain coconut milk, which is high in calories due to the high concentration of calories in the young coconuts when they are picked, coconut water is preferred. In addition, unlike coconut milk, which is high in saturated fats, this liquid does not include any such fats. Coconut water has the same low-calorie value as other dairy products. However, coconut water is absorbed faster by the body than milk does, so even though it lacks saturated fat, the body uses up more calories when consumed compared to the same volume of milk.
Coconut water nutrition facts suggest that it contains a moderate amount of sodium, about two percent sodium, as against the six percent sodium that is present in regular water. Coconut palms do not grow very tall, so it is not possible to get around the high amount of sodium that is present in regular water by substituting coconut water for regular water. Thus, it may be advantageous to substitute regular soft drinks with coconut water instead. The sodium content is also relatively low compared with other liquids.
Coconut water contains significant amounts of potassium, sugar and fiber. Potassium provides adequate energy to carry out many bodily functions, especially for people who want to stay active. This electrolyte is essential for the proper function of the heart and kidneys. Coconut palm contains three percent potassium, compared to the average American diet, which may be as high as twenty percent potassium. One reason why the potassium level in coconuts is slightly higher than the average American diet is that they are grown in warmer climates, where the soil is rich in potassium.
Fiber, another component of healthy fluids, helps lower the level of cholesterol, which is believed to contribute to the development of heart disease. Coconut water is also high in electrolytes, with about eight percent of the calories in it made up of sodium and about four percent of the calories made up of potassium. Therefore, coconut beverages are recommended for individuals who need to reduce their intake of sodium and increase their intake of potassium and fiber, which can help them achieve optimal levels of hydration.
When you substitute coconuts for regular sports drinks, you can greatly improve your chances of enjoying an active lifestyle. While you would still need to take precautions in order to prevent excessive sodium from entering your body, you will greatly increase your dietary choices that are good for your body. Moreover, you can enjoy a variety of activities while being in a position to properly hydrate yourself. These are particularly relevant for individuals who find it difficult to get into the gym or other forms of exercise because of the difficulty in finding sports drinks that are low in calories and high in nutrition.
With the exception of fruit juices, all types of coconuts are considered to be low-fat foods, which means that you can drink them with a lot of confidence. If you are trying to lose weight, you can still enjoy these drinks because they do not usually contain a great deal of carbohydrates. In many instances, they are comparable to juice drinks without having a lot of extra carbohydrates.