Coconut Water Benefits And Why You Should Drink It

Coconut water, also known as coconut juice, is the translucent, or semi-clear, liquid inside a young coconut. The juice is low in sugar and calories but high in electrolytes and minerals.

In recent years, many athletes have turned to coconut water as an alternative to sugary sports drinks such as Gatorade. It's also a go-to beverage for people with stomach bugs or severe cases of dehydration.

Coconut water vs. coconut milk

Coconut water is often confused with coconut milk, but the two aren't the same. Coconut milk is the creamy, white milk made by grating the inner flesh of the mature brown coconut, mixing it with hot water, and then straining. Coconut water is already in liquid form inside the young green coconut. Unlike coconut water, coconut milk is very high in fat and calories.

Helps improve muscle function.

Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that the human body needs for muscle function. Drinking water containing electrolytes has been shown to prevent and decrease muscle cramps while exercising. One popular brand of coconut water has 509 milligrams of potassium in a 1-cup (240-milliliter or 8-ounce) serving. That's 15% of your daily value (DV) or recommended daily amount for this nutrient.

Helps hydrate the body

Staying hydrated is important for keeping joints lubricated, regulating body temperature, delivering nutrients to cells, and improving sleep quality and mood. Experts suggest you drink 11 cups of liquid per day if you're a woman and 16 cups a day if you're a man. It doesn't have to be all water. Coffee, tea, and juices count too. With just 60 calories per 1-cup serving, coconut water is an excellent way to rehydrate without adding a lot of sugar to your diet.