We can all agree that coconut water is the most refreshing drink. The taste is the right kind of sweet and because it doesn’t have any sugar, it’s quite healthy. You can have as much as you want guilt-free. And it does a lot to benefit your body and can be a part of a lot of fun drinks. It is not only nutritious but it quenches your thirst like no other and once in a while it’s great to have coconut water after a good morning walk. If you’re not convinced that this desi nectar is one of the best drinks out there, here are some benefits that’ll change your mind.
10 Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water
1. Highly Nutritious
Coconut water has an array of minerals and vitamins in it but it is particularly high in manganese and potassium. 250 ml of coconut water contains ⅕th of your daily requirement. The other minerals and vitamins to find in coconut water are electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals – such as calcium, methionine, selenium, zinc, iodine, manganese, boron, and molybdenum.
2. Rich In Antioxidants
Coconut water has the power to protect your cells if they are damaged by free radicals. Oxidative stress is a form of stress that contributes to the ageing process that is involved with diseases such as stroke, heart disease and cancer. Coconut water can improve the antioxidant status by reducing oxidative stress. Remember, the fresher the coconut water, the higher in antioxidants it is.
3. Hydrating
As there are so many minerals present in coconut water they control the bodily fluid creating a balance. You’d be surprised to know that coconut water beats water in being the most suitable drink after a workout.
4. Regulates Cholesterol Levels
Research suggests that coconut water is beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease and can lower total cholesterol. So it is all good news for your heart and health!
5. Improves Heart Health
Coconut water is rich in L-arginine which is a free form of Vitamin C. That helps in preventing heart disease and lipid peroxidation. The presence of the same thing can also make it good for blood pressure. Research says coconut water can help lower systolic pressure and it has helped control the blood pressure of primary hypertensive patients.
6. Prevents Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are caused because of waste chemicals present in the blood that creates crystals. Coconut water can prevent that from forming. The more coconut water you drink, the crystals in the kidney will decrease and hence there will be no stone formation.
7. Promotes Healthy Skin
We are all in for this one benefit as who doesn’t want healthy skin! Hydration is the key to good skin, coconut water contains all the factors that support hydration. It is rich in amino acids and nutrients that preserve skin elasticity.
8. Supports Digestion
Magnesium is essential for healthy digestion without that you can’t properly digest food. As it activates enzymes that allow your body to absorb and use fats. Coconut water is high in magnesium as it contains ⅕th of your Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Thus making it a drink that supports digestion.
9. Potent Anti-Inflammatory
Chronic inflammation does a lot of damage to healthy cells, tissues and organs, increasing the risk of diseases. Coconut water has the power to fight inflammation and stop prostaglandin production.
10. Helps With Diabetes
Few studies have shown that coconut water lowers blood sugar levels and works as an effective anti-diabetic medication. It also reduces oxidative stress and diabetes patients have experienced increased insulin levels and liver glycogen concentrations and reduced glycated haemoglobin levels.
10 Refreshing Tropical Coconut Water Beverage Recipes
1. Coconut Punch
In the mood for a party drink? Well, coconut punch is your best pet. A mix of all yummy flavours, serve a coconut punch to get guests asking about the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups chopped fresh fruit
- 8 skewers
- 1 container of coconut water
- 1 cup pineapple or orange juice
- 1 bottle of champagne, cava or prosecco
Method:
- Thread the fruits on skewers and place them on a cookie sheet. Freeze it for a minimum of one hour.
- While the skewers are freezing, mix the coconut water and whatever juice you choose.
- Cover and refrigerate until able to serve it.
- To serve, add the coconut mixture to a glass, garnish with a skewer and top with the champagne.
2. Coco No Loco
When in the mood for some alcohol, you should have a yummy drink with rum. It’s tasty and it’ll keep you warm. Here’s Coco No Loco for you.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml white rum
- Coconut water
- 2 wedges of lime
- 1 sprig mint
Method:
- Put the rum into a tall glass crammed with ice.
- Top with coconut milk and squeeze during a lime wedge.
- Serve with another lime wedge and a sprig of mint.
3. Coconut & Cardamom Cocktail
With the aroma of cardamom and the freshness of coconut in one drink, this recipe has the potential to become your favourite.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cool water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon green cardamom pods (or ½ teaspoon ground cardamom)
- 2 parts coconut water
- 1 tablespoon cardamom syrup
- ½ part gin
- Pear crisps
Method:
- To make syrup, simmer water, sugar, and cardamom until it involves a soft boil and the sugar is dissolved.
- Cover it overnight and strain the cardamom pods if using.
- To make a cocktail, mix all the ingredients and pour over ice. Serve it with a crisp pear.
4. Tropical Smoothie
A breakfast in disguise as a drink, this tropical smoothie will get you and your kids to love breakfasts more and more.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut water
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
- 1 cup fresh pineapple (chopped)
- 1 cup chopped papaya
- 1 frozen banana (roughly chopped)
- 8 ice cubes
Method:
- Combine coconut water, lime juice, pineapple, papaya, banana, and ice in a blender jar. Secure lid and set blender to Smoothie setting.
- Combine ingredients in a blender, secure the lid and turn the dial to Speed 1. Slowly increase speed to high. Blend until completely smooth, about 1 minute.
5. Coconut & Basil Lemonade
Bored of your regular lemonade? Well, spice it up with basil, berries and more!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of water
- ½ cup of lemon juice
- ½ cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of coconut cream/syrup
- ½ cup of frozen berries
- Ice cubes
- 3-4 basil leaves
Method:
- Take a large bowl and combine water, lemon juice and coconut syrup in it. Stir it well till the sugar dissolves. Cover and keep it in the fridge to chill.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving glass and add berries.
- Lastly, add some ice cubes and basil leaves. Your own coconut and basil lemonade is ready!
6. Coconut, Apple & Spinach Juice
Who knew, getting your green could be so yummy. Spinach is the ultimate source of iron and apples, are a great source of fibre. Start your day right with this nutritious juice.
Ingredients:
- 5 cm piece cucumber, chopped
- 1 big celery stick, chopped
- A handful of spinach leaves
- 150 ml of chilled unsweetened apple juice
- Lime juice
- Chilled coconut water
Method:
- Put the vegetables in a deep bowl with the apple and lime juices and blitz with a hand blender (or in a blender or food processor) until as smooth as you can get it.
- Tip into a glass and drink as it is or dilute with coconut water for the consistency you like.
7. Beach Blonde
In the mood for something fruity and refreshing, just like the drinks at the beach restaurants? This drink will give you the same beach restaurant vibes at home!
Ingredients:
- 4-5 Strawberries
- Coconut water
- 2 drops of vanilla essence
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of ice
Method:
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend well, pour in a tall glass and enjoy!
8. Fresh Young Coconut & Banana Smoothie
Always got bananas at home? This time try something fun with them with this drink.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups coconut water (extracted from a fresh coconut)
- 1 cup coconut meat (from a fresh coconut, chopped)
- 2 bananas (chopped and frozen)
- 6 ice cubes
- ¼ cup almond
Method:
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend well, pour in a tall glass and enjoy!
9. Coconut Lychee Cocktail
The sweet lychee can make any drink better and that’s for sure. If lychee is your favourite fruit and you like coconut water too, you have to try this one.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole peeled lychees in heavy syrup drained
- 120 ml full-fat coconut milk
- 60 ml pure coconut water
- 5-6 large ice cubes plus more for serving
Method:
- Mix the drained and peeled lychees, 1 tablespoon of lychee syrup, coconut milk, coconut water and ice cubes in a blender. Puree until very smooth.
- Pour over crushed ice and garnish with lime wedges. Serve immediately.
10. Coconut Mojito
Expensive bars just to have a good mojito? No, as you can make a better one at home. Perfect for an order-in date night, this recipe is just irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of mint leaves
- 2 cups bottled coconut water
- 5 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 100 ml white rum
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups ice
Method:
- Place the mint leaves in a jar and muddle it by pounding and twisting the mint leaves lightly.
- Add the coconut water, lime juice, white rum and sugar.
- Stir to combine well or until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the ice and serve the coconut mojito.
These are some perfect recipes if you’re looking to try something new with the ever-so-yummy coconut water. Do let us know which one you found the best and are going to try first by commenting on this post.