Why Drink Coconut Water? It’s An Energizing Power Beverage, and Much More
You probably already know a lot about the uses and benefits of coconut oil, but what about coconut water?
Coconut Water Benefits You Need to Know
In this article:
- What is Coconut Water?
- It Was Once Used as Blood Plasma
- Why Drink Coconut Water?
- What Are the Benefits of Coconut Water?
- Where to Source Your Coconut Water
- Hot Pink Breakfast Smoothie
What is Coconut Water?
Coconut "water" is the sweet, translucent liquid inside young green coconuts. It takes 9 months to draw the water up from the earth through the trunk, into the coconut and develop.
It Was Once Used as Blood Plasma
Interestingly, coconut water has the same osmotic pressure as that of blood plasma and has even been safely administered as an intravenous fluid. In fact, it was used during WWII in emergency transfusions to replace blood plasma and save the lives of many wounded soldiers in the Pacific.
Why Drink Coconut Water?
It's an amazing alternative to water! Low in calories, with zero fat, and lots of naturally occurring nutrients, including potassium, magnesium and calcium, fiber, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
What Are the Benefits of Coconut Water?
- It's a power food, giving me fantastic energy. And it has the benefit of tasting lovely.
- It's a natural sports drink that stands apart from the blue-dye, chemical-sweetener-added competition. Incredibly hydrating, it is isotonic and contains an excellent balance of electrolytes.
- One of its most abundant electrolytes is potassium, which makes coconut water a great kidney cleanser. It also helps the body fight water retention, muscle cramps, and heart irregularities.
- An extensive study on coconut water also found compounds that fight aging, mop up free radicals, and potentially ward off neural diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia.
Where to Source Your Coconut Water
The best source of coconut water is from young coconuts themselves. Since that's not the most convenient source, look for packaged commercial sources that are organic and not from concentrate, with no additives.
Hot Pink Breakfast Smoothie
My Hot Pink Smoothie is my most popular recipe!
Coconut water is a perfect choice for an energetic breakfast, which is why it's the foundation liquid in my Hot Pink Breakfast Smoothie every morning and one of the reasons why that recipe is the most-requested recipe of all time at GSG!
Watch the recipe video here, or I've got a printable recipe for Hot Pink for you—put the ingredients on your shopping list and make it tomorrow!
Have you tried drinking coconut water? What does coconut water do for you? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!
Read Next: How To Make Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Robyn Openshaw, MSW, is the bestselling author of The Green Smoothies Diet, 12 Steps to Whole Foods, and 2017’s #1 Amazon Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Vibe. Learn more about how to make the journey painless, from the nutrient-scarce Standard American Diet, to a whole-foods diet, in her free video masterclass 12 Steps to Whole Foods.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that help support the GSG mission without costing you extra. I recommend only companies and products that I use myself.
Posted in: Recipes, Whole Food
Do you recommend a certain brand to buy cases of?
I buy Amy and Brian brand, nothing added.
I’m a little confusing on your wording. Is coconut milk the same thing as coconut water or are they different?
Robyn, for canned coconut water, do you recommend any particular brand? Thanks much!
Is Coconut water the same as Coconut milk?
Coconut water and coconut milk are different things.
Any good suggestions where to purchase canned coconut water in bulk??
Anonymous: Health food stores, Asian stores.
I tried ‘Naked Juice’ brand coconut water. Horrid. Then I tried Trader Joes ‘Zico’ brand and loved it, and it’s cheaper than other brands I’ve seen. So shop around until you found one you like – don’t give up if you don’t like the first one. I throw a generous splash into my morning smoothie, and a few splashes in iced green tea makes it MUCH more palatable, with no sugar.
My experience exactly – Naked Juice was awful but gave another try with Zico. I get it at Trader Joe’s.
somehing weird is going on with the article.repeated paragraphs etc. is it just my computer?? or did you just choose to repeat yourself?
Lala – I noticed that too – it repeated on mine.
We are unable to replicate the problem of paragraphs repeating. Mine doesn’t….neither does Chris’s (my webmaster).
I have noticed a low supply of coconut water at my local grocer. I have really been enjoying it in my hot pink smoothies…especially after exercising. I recently began the couch to 5k running program and I know the hot pink smoothies with the coconut water has been instrumental in not having so much aches and pains from the new workout routine.Thanks!!!
Can you only buy it in a can? I’m not a fan of the cans and bpa in cans.
I enjoy coconut water from fresh coconuts here in TX. I like to ferment it with my kefir grains. Donna Gates sells excellent quality coconut water and coconut meat on her website. Maybe Robyn will have some here eventually….hint, hint… 🙂
Oh, by the way Donna’s site is: BodyEcology.com
Robyn, is the Amy and Brian Coconut juice the product you are referring to? so is coconut juice the same as coconut water? I see the label says pur young coconut water.
Is coconut water an alkaline water?
For those people whose relative are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and maybe reading this, I find it hard that people are still ignorant of herbal medicine when it comes to treating Alzheimer’s Disease.
I have been through many phases over the last couple of years since my father’s diagnosis, he was 53 years old and had Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease and his diagnosis changed my life in many ways, I spend most of the time in denial and I keep thinking the tests were wrong. But deep down I knew they were correct. Though sharing his story is very difficult. He was always very successful in being able to accomplish anything he set his mind on doing. Alzheimer’s is a bitch of a disease. It began by robbing his recent memory, but it didn’t stop there. It continues to steal, taking the most recent memories until it has pilfered all but the oldest memories, he experienced a decline in his ability to think, remember and make decisions. I feel a need to express my thoughts and feelings about how it affected his day to day living and how its deteriorated since despite the help of some wonderful medics and medicine.
I remind myself how lucky to come across Charanjit rychtova’s herbal medicine which is able to control this disease without any side effect, I felt a moment of relief hoping that he is free from this ailment, and nothing compares to the healing power of nature. Now I believe almost every health problem can be addressed in one natural way or another. The only thing I wanted was for him to feel better. I’m proud to say my Dad is Alzheimer’s free. You can also contact him for advice and more info. charantova@gmail.com