Many people wonder if drinking coconut water is good and causes bloating. In fact, consuming coconut water or any other beverage has both positive and negative aspects. The best benefits of coconut water are only brought when used properly and in the right dosage.
1. Is drinking coconut water good?
Coconut water is a widely consumed refreshing drink, with a naturally sweet and refreshing taste. Coconut water contains easily digestible carbohydrates in the form of sugar, along with a series of vitamins C, B, minerals and electrolytes. Currently, coconut water is also used as a medicine and acts as an alternative intravenous rehydration fluid.
Is drinking coconut water good is probably a common concern of many people who love this drink. According to nutrition experts, drinking coconut water regularly helps you achieve the following outstanding benefits:
1.1 Provides nutrients and powerful antioxidants
With a high nutrient content, drinking coconut water in moderation helps supplement the body with abundant nutrients, including protein, sugar, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and sodium. These ingredients have the ability to compensate for acute diarrhea, while also helping to effectively enhance resistance.
Moreover, drinking coconut water also helps eliminate free radicals - agents that cause oxidative stress, leading to cell damage and increasing the risk of disease. This effect of coconut water is achieved thanks to the mechanism of changing free radicals and inhibiting their ability to harm cells.
1.2 Effectively supports improving blood sugar index
Some studies have shown that drinking coconut water can reduce blood sugar levels, while significantly improving other health risks in people with diabetes. 240 ml of coconut water contains 3g of fiber and 6g of digestible calories, so drinking coconut water in moderation is considered a suitable choice for people with a high glycemic index.
On the other hand, coconut water also provides a large amount of magnesium, which helps increase insulin sensitivity. With this effect, drinking coconut water can help improve the symptoms of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes effectively.
1.3 Helps reduce the risk of forming and developing kidney stones
Providing enough water for the body plays an extremely necessary role in preventing the risk of forming kidney stones. Some scientific studies have shown that coconut water is a drink that can effectively prevent kidney stones.
The active ingredients in coconut water help prevent the adhesion of crystals such as oxalate and calcium, ... in urine, kidneys and other organs of the urinary tract. As a result, kidney stones can be significantly reduced when drinking coconut water in moderation.
1.4 Supports cardiovascular health
So is drinking coconut water good for the cardiovascular system? In fact, drinking coconut water has been shown to reduce triglycerides, blood cholesterol and liver fat - factors that promote noticeable signs of heart disease. Some studies also show that coconut water is as effective at reducing cholesterol as statin drugs.
1.5 Stabilizes blood pressure and prevents blood clots
In addition to the above effects, coconut water also helps control blood pressure quite well. People with high blood pressure can consume coconut water to improve systolic blood pressure. The reason is that 240ml of coconut water contains up to 600mg of potassium - a substance that helps reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. On the other hand, some studies on animals also show that drinking coconut water can prevent thrombosis and prevent the formation of blood clots that cause vascular obstruction.
2. Does drinking coconut water cause bloating?
The reality of bloating when drinking coconut water can occur in case you consume too much of this type of water. Coconut water only helps prevent digestive disorders when you consume a sufficient amount. Researchers say that coconut water is considered a natural laxative, containing lauric acid which is converted into monolaurin when entering the body. Monolaurin is a substance that has good antibacterial and antiviral effects, helps prevent digestive problems, and inhibits stomach acidity. Therefore, drinking coconut water will be very good for the digestive system if you use a moderate amount as recommended.
For people with bloating, drinking a lot of coconut water can affect their digestive function and worsen their bloating. Consuming a large amount of coconut water at once will cause the stomach to accumulate a lot of water, at which point the stomach tends to swell and cause a feeling of heaviness that is extremely uncomfortable.
3. Other harmful effects of drinking coconut water incorrectly
In addition to the risk of bloating, drinking too much coconut water at once can lead to a number of other health problems, including:
3.1 Excessive hypotension
Although coconut water contains a rich amount of potassium, which is effective in treating high blood pressure, it is not a suitable choice for people with low blood pressure. Even people with high blood pressure who consume large amounts of coconut water can lead to excess potassium, causing excessive hypotension, which can lead to dangerous symptoms such as dizziness or even fainting.
3.2 Risk of electrolyte imbalance
Electrolyte imbalance or electrolyte disturbances can occur when sodium and potassium levels in the blood rise or fall beyond safe limits. Although coconut water can replenish electrolytes, drinking too much can cause fluctuations in these two indicators in the blood, while slowing down the rate of blood circulation to the heart. This can cause the heart rate to lose its stability, or even more dangerously, stop beating.
3.3 Increases pressure on the kidneys
When you drink a lot of coconut water, you will notice a significant increase in the number of times you urinate. Frequent urination can put pressure on the kidneys, causing them to work harder to perform their excretory function. At that time, the renal parenchyma cells may swell temporarily, and if prolonged and not treated promptly, it will lead to impaired kidney function.
4. People who should not drink coconut water
Before using coconut water, you need to carefully monitor your physical condition and make sure you do not belong to the following groups:
• People with a cold body: According to experts' recommendations, people with a cold body, whose limbs are often cold, should avoid using coconut water. Because this drink is cold, drinking too much will lead to an imbalance of "yin and yang", negatively affecting the metabolism, causing fatigue or weakness.
• Pregnant women in the first 3 months: During the first trimester, the fetus has not yet completely attached to the mother's uterus, so drinking coconut water will cause the body to become cold and easily pose a risk of miscarriage. On the other hand, women in the early stages of pregnancy who consume a lot of coconut water can increase the symptoms of morning sickness, cause indigestion and reduce the body's metabolic function.
• People who have just come back from the sun or worked outdoors in hot weather: Avoid drinking coconut water immediately after doing heavy manual labor or coming back from the sun. At this time, the body temperature is still high, drinking coconut water immediately can lead to dangerous health problems. It is best to sit down and rest and wait for the body temperature to stabilize before drinking coconut water, but you should drink small sips in moderation.
• People with hemorrhoids, colds, low blood pressure or rheumatism: Coconut water often has a relatively high cooling effect, has the effect of lowering blood pressure and softening tendons and muscles quickly, so this is not a suitable drink for people with low blood pressure, hemorrhoids, colds or rheumatism. If you deliberately drink coconut water, the condition of these people will become worse.
• Children under 6 months old: The digestive system of infants under 6 months old is still immature and not fully developed. Giving children coconut water at this age will cause digestive problems, such as stomachache, bloating, indigestion. It is best to only give children over 6 months old a small dose to get used to it, then gradually increase it.
5. How to drink coconut water recommended by experts
If you have the answer to the question of whether drinking coconut water is good or not, next, let's learn about how to use this drink reasonably and correctly to achieve the maximum benefits. According to leading experts, when using coconut water, you need to pay attention to the following to avoid harming your health:
• Avoid drinking coconut water in the evening or at night, instead drink in the morning or afternoon to absorb all the nutrients in coconut water. Consuming coconut water late at night can increase the frequency of nocturia, disrupting the normal sleep cycle.
• Only drink 1-2 coconuts per day, avoid drinking too much as it can easily cause side effects.
• If drinking coconut water on an empty stomach, you should drink it in small sips, avoid drinking it all at once or too quickly.
• Avoid adding sweeteners to coconut water because this fruit already has a naturally sweet taste. Adding sugar or sweeteners can increase the sugar content in coconut water, leading to increased blood sugar levels when consumed.
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