A closer look at coconut water as a trendy drink: effects & nutritional values

Coconut water, also simply called coconut water, is a popular drink from South America that has also become very popular with us Europeans in recent years. Coconut water is said to be extremely healthy and should also help you lose weight. Because of its isotonic effect, the trendy drink is offered in fitness studios as a natural alternative to artificially created sports drinks. You can find out more about the trendy drink, its effects and the nutrients it contains in the article.

What is coconut water?

Coconut water is a slightly cloudy liquid that is obtained directly from the unripe, still green coconut. It should not be confused with coconut milk, as they neither look nor taste the same. Since there are no green coconuts available in the supermarket, you should get the coconut water in a beverage carton, the so-called Tetra Pak. These can be found both in organic shops and in well-stocked supermarkets.

Green coconuts are the unripe fruits of the coconut palm, harvested approximately 5 months before final maturity. However, not only the water is obtained from this, but also the white, aromatic pulp. From half a liter to almost a liter of coconut water can be obtained from one coconut. The exact amount depends on the ripeness of the fruit. As a rule, the unripe and fresher the coconut, the more coconut water you can get from it.

TheTaste of coconut watercomes as a surprise to many. The trendy drink does not taste like coconut, as one might expect, but has a slightly bitter, yet sweet taste with a mild, sometimes sour note. Nevertheless, the natural drink is very refreshing and can occasionally replace drinking water in everyday life.

DifferencestoKokosnussmilch

Although coconut water and coconut milk sound similar, they are not the same thing at all. While coconut water is harvested directly from the unripe nut, milk is produced in a few steps. First of all, the high-fat coconut milk is obtained from the already ripe, brown coconut that we know from our supermarkets. However, you don't need the liquid for this, but the pulp. The meat is first pureed with a little water and then poured so that the pulp pieces are separated from the liquid. In contrast to coconut water, coconut milk smells and tastes pleasantly of coconut. However, coconut milk is a real calorie bomb compared to water and classic milk. It has a high fat content, which is around 20 percent. Coconut milk is therefore often used in the preparation of various dishes, especially from Asian cuisine.

Effects and useful information about calories and nutritional values

Green coconut water is considered a good source of energy. Ithas an isotonic effect, i.e. the ratio of nutrients to liquid corresponds to that of human blood. That's why many athletes reach for a bottle of coconut water after a workout. It replenishes the minerals lost during training to the body and at the same time serves as a good thirst quencher.

Through thehigh potassium contentIn coconut water at around 600-700 mg per 250 ml, cardiac arrhythmias such as arrhythmia caused by potassium deficiency can be prevented. Furthermore, the healthy water should improve heart and lung function. However, these effects have not yet been scientifically confirmed.

Is coconut water really healthy then? The answer is yes, because there are many valuable onesNutrients and trace elementsis rich. Various vitamins such as B1, B2 and C, as well as folic acid, calcium and magnesium are also contained in the miracle drink. Coconut water also impresses with important trace elements such as zinc and iron.

The trendy drink is just as speciallow in calories, by only having around 16-20 calories per 100ml, a mere 40 calories for a refreshing glass of coconut water. The sugar and fat content are also low, which is why coconut water is considered a good refreshing drink for losing weight.

In addition to all the valuable nutrients, vitamins and minerals, green coconut water undoubtedly contains numerous antioxidants. They are generally conducive to rapid cell regeneration, which can have a positive effect on skin and hair. Although these properties of coconut water have not been scientifically confirmed, many users are completely convinced of them. Since the popular drink can only do good things, it's worth trying it yourself.

The trendy drink for losing weight

Coconut water has gained great popularity as a good weight loss agent. Even many Hollywood stars swear by the positive effects of the trendy drink as an aid to losing weight and drink coconut water regularly. However, you shouldn't expect miracles from the low-calorie drink. It neither helps burn fat nor stimulates metabolism. Rather, coconut water offers a low-fat alternative to soft drinks because it has a low amount of calories. This is an easy way to save some calories, but you can't burn them off without additional diet and exercise.

Effect in sports

Coconut water as a trendy drink also offers a natural alternative to artificially created, isotonic drinks that many athletes consume. Organic coconut water is best suited for this because it does not contain any additional sweeteners or the like. The miracle drink should further strengthen the muscles and therefore be a good aid for fitness exercises. The large number of minerals in the popular amniotic fluid is interesting for both competitive and recreational athletes. Because of the significant amounts of potassium, magnesium and sodium, the body directly reabsorbs the substances lost through exercise with the help of coconut water.

Coconut water recipes

Coconut water, a trendy drink, is also used in the kitchen as it can be used as a healthy ingredient in many different recipes. Including refreshing drinks, such as smoothies and non-alcoholic drinksCocktails. Below are two great coconut water drink recipes you can try at home.

Coconut water-Smoothie recipe

Ingredients:

  • 150 ml natural coconut water
  • 1 Banana
  • 100 g watermelon pulp, deseeded
  • 100 g papaya, peeled and seeded

preparation:

Peel all the fruits and put them in a blender. Then pour over the coconut water and mix until a uniform consistency is achieved. You can enjoy the smoothie for breakfast or as a snack in between.

Non-alcoholic cocktail recipe

Ingredients:

  • 100 ml coconut water
  • a splash of lemon juice
  • 50 ml Cranberrysaft
  • Coconut sugar to taste

preparation:

Mix the fruit water with a splash of lemon juice and the cranberry juice and serve in a cocktail glass. For a sweeter taste and great coconut aroma, you can add some coconut sugar. The non-alcoholic cocktail is suitable for adults and children and will definitely be popular as a refreshing drink at a summer barbecue party.