For those who are into physical activities, exercising, hiking, or similar activities, they may have heard one thing or two about coconut water.
There’s something we can say about it: it is quite tasty, refreshing, and healthy. The good thing about it is that it is filled with components that are really good for our body and provides great nourishment for those who enjoy physical activities that make the body sweat.
But let’s talk a little more about coconuts. Mainly considered a fruit, coconuts grow on palm trees and are mainly known from the water that fills it during its growth. While maturing, it also forms meat, which is pretty tasty when eaten with a little bit of sugar and has been the main protagonist of several dishes and desserts.
A regular coconut usually takes from 10 to 12 months to mature completely, but after 6 to 7 months, it starts to get filled with liquid and produce its meat.
What’s so great about the liquid inside this fruit is that it contains around 94% of water, very little fat, and a bunch load of nutrients. A standard cup of coconut water contains carbs, protein, fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, sodium, calcium, and manganese. Most of these nutrients found in it are more than 10% of the recommended daily intake, which is pretty awesome for a single cup.
Nowadays, you can find an even better version of this juice coming in the form of coconut water with electrolytes. Electrolytes have many uses to our bodies, and grant many benefits as well. The combination of both can result in an incredible beverage for the thirsty, able to replenish the energy, liquid, and nutrients we consume during physical activities that require a lot of movement.
But what are other benefits can you enjoy from consuming this drink? We’ll talk about it more in detail.
How Coconuts Can Improve Your Health
The liquid found in coconuts can bring other benefits. A good example is the antioxidants found in it, which are well known for providing the body with an extra layer of defenses. Antioxidants can help the stomach remain safe from harm, and helps the body clean itself from harmful components.
They are also great in helping the body regulate sugar and cholesterol levels as well as hemoglobin, which reduces the risk of suffering from heart diseases and lowers the chances of diabetes complications. It’s also great for blood pressure problems and provides the body with useful components that help reduce the chance of suffering from kidney stones.
As mentioned here, it’s also really beneficial to those who constantly do exercise or physical activities, since it helps the body keep itself hydrated.
It can also become a really good alternative for those who are dieting and want to enjoy a tasty beverage without increasing caloric intake, which is an important part of the process of losing weight.
How Electrolytes Contribute to the Mix
Electrolytes are a substance found in our body that is mainly known for being an electricity conductor. These substances are very important to the body since several body functions work thanks to currents going around inside our bodies.
While practicing a sport, doing exercise, or just enjoying a physical activity that makes us sweat, we lose electrolytes. This can affect our muscles, nerves, and the balance of several things such as blood pressure, acidity, and muscle recovery. It also affects our minds.
Electrolytes contain nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and many others. Losing too many electrolytes and not keeping yourself hydrating while doing so may cause a bunch of side-effects that can affect our physical capabilities during certain activities.
Weakness, confusion, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms, and pain, as well as an excessive amount of tiredness, are one of many side-effects caused by a deficiency of electrolytes.
As mentioned in this article https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153188#imbalance, regulating this substance is possible, but it has to be done carefully to not cause an imbalance, which may also result in other problems.
Consuming liquids containing this substance is recommended for those practicing physical activities that require constant hydration. Sports that require constant movement and running are good examples, as well as activities such as hiking.
For hikers, coconut water with electrolytes is probably one of the best alternatives they can find to keep themselves hydrated without risking drinking too much liquid.