The diet and beauty secrets keeping celebrities, such as Madonna and Rihanna, glamorous are a mystery at times.
Often the diet of the starts would imply some exotic means that normal people usually don't have available. This next diet item may not be a secret at all (in fact it isn't, its mainstream); however that doesn't mean that it doesn't find its way as many celebs choice drink.
You've heard the buzz; everyone's (including celebs) doing it, coconut water that is. Drinking coconut water has many benefits that go along with it, which makes it a product indispensible to your diet. Whether you are an avid dieter, or not, you may want to know what makes coconut water so special. Let's dive into why coconut water has grown increasingly popular around the world!
What is coconut water?
Coconut water, not to be with coconut milk (made from grained coconut meat) is a drink local to Hawaii and Southeast Asia, is the liquid extracted from inside coconuts. Although mature coconuts contain coconut water, immature (green) coconuts contain considerably more coconut water and take less time to harvest, making them the preferred source for coconut water.
That's right. As controversial as it sounds, coconut water is made from baby coconuts. Besides being able to drink directly through a straw like you would on vacation in Hawaii, coconut water can also be bought in cans and bottles at your local grocery store.
Coconut water, high in mineral (potassium) content, is now being used as a sports drink. In addition, coconut water is known to be used as a substitute for saline solution (used in setting up an IV) in developing countries and under medical emergency. Surprising, isn't it? Wait, there's more.
Unparalleled nutritional value
Along with drinking coconut water, come many diet, health, and exercise benefits.
Coconut water is rich in magnesium (boosts metabolism) potassium (gets rid of edema and detox your body) and electrolytes. The amount of potassium contain in coconut water is said to contain as much as twice the amount contained in bananas, which is thought to contain large amount of potassium itself.
Although used in as sports drink coconut water high in nutritional value and is said to contain as much as 15 times more than your conventional sports beverage. That means, not only are you able to quench your thirst, you are supplementing your nutritional health.
In addition coconut water also contains lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid found in breath milk, which has is rich in antioxidants and strengthens your immune system. This is why newborn babies breast feeding are said to have such impeccable immune systems.
If stranded on a deserted island, with palm trees, what would your instincts tell you to do first? That, right. Even people without the experience of seeing a coconut in person can agree, "Coconuts can save your life." Proof is often given as a fact through others practical experiences, fights for survival.
A man left at sea is said to have survived the aftermath of the Sumatra-Andaman (Indian Ocean 2004) by gathering coconut debris. With nothing but coconut water, this man manages to stay alive until getting rescued. This leads us reason to believe that coconut water is an excellent source of balanced nutrition.
How do you compare that with other drinks being sold on the market? Do you think he would have survived, if instead all he could get his hands on was debris Gatorade? We can all agree that it wouldn't have worked out the same way. If it did, then we would be drinking something else called, "Safarade." Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to compare.
No comparison hands down
Coconut water is not only a low calorie and vitamin and mineral rich alternative to sports drinks, it is also fat free!
This is what makes it sub an irreplaceable part of your diet and exercise program. Let's see how coconut water compares to sports drinks in terms of nutritional value.
| Nutritional Facts (serving size 414mL) | Coconut Water (ZICO Natural) | Sports Drink (Cool Blue Gatorade) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 60 Calories | 87 Calories |
| Sodium | 160 mg | 470.45 mg |
| Total Carbs | 13 g | 59.88 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 12 g | 59.88 g |
| Potassium | 569 mg | 128.30 mg |
| Calcium | 27 mg | 0 mg |
| Magnesium | 35 mg | 0 mg |
| Phosphorus | 30 mg | - |
As you see, coconut water not only contains fewer calories than sports drinks; it also contains 3 times less sodium and contains more nutritional value, over 4 times potassium.
It's not hard to stumble on pictures of actresses on the rebound or preparing for their next movie, out running with coconut water. Coconut water has a fatigue lifting effect, which if drank after exercise not only replenish lost fluids, but also restores your body's chemical (electrolyte) balance, giving you the vitamins and minerals you need. This is why it is often referred to as, the natural sports drink.
Where to get your coconut water?
Five years ago it would have been impossible (do it yourself) to get coconut water in a can or bottled for that matter. Since that time, coconut water has flooded the sports beverage industry, shooting revenues from $0 to millions of dollars. In fact, coconut water was given the 2011 Product of the Year award. With that said, you shouldn't have any trouble finding coconut water at whole sales stores, or even your local grocer.
Companies selling coconut water have also taken the sale of its products online, all offering the option to, "Buy Now," which is convenient for those willing to wait and looking for a more bargaining price.
Previously mentioned, people often confuse coconut water with coconut milk. Although both are liquids (essentially) coming from the same source, their nutritional makeup may differ. On of which is that coconut meat (which coconut milk is made out off) is not fat free. So be cautious when picking out the right coconut water the next time you go shopping.
