Coconut water: what is it for and what are its benefits?

The coconut water is not only a gift from Mother Nature, but it also has important health benefits. For this reason, more and more nutritionists, athletes, and health experts recommend including a glass of coconut water in the diet.Why does coconut have water?All fruits contain varying levels of water, which can be felt in every bite. However, the coconut is an exceptional fruit because its shape and the consistency of its fibrous pulp, which is very rich in fats and calories, prevent its water from penetrating, thus keeping it at the center of the coconut. Therefore, when a coconut is opened, the water emerges to refresh and nourish whoever drinks it.You can also read: Is it good to cook with coconut oil?3 benefits of coconut waterIt's important not to confuse coconut water with coconut milk; the former is extracted directly from the fruit, while the latter is made by grinding the pulp of the coconut with other ingredients like sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.1. Natural electrolyteCoconut water contains a wide variety of nutrients, particularly minerals: potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Yes, the same ones found in sports drinks or hydration solutions. This is why more and more sports professionals are replacing their processed beverages with natural coconut water.2. Goodbye to calories and fatsUnlike coconut pulp, its water contains no fat. While the coconut is a food very rich in fat, primarily saturated fat, which accounts for 88.6% of its total pulp, every 100 milliliters of natural coconut water has 0.2 grams of fat and 19 calories. So it’s always better to hydrate with coconut water than with any sugary drink.3. A great cooking alternativeNatural coconut water is not only refreshing, but it can also be used to prepare various recipes. You can substitute the cooking water for rice to give this dish a different twist; you can also add it when cooking fish and seafood, or use it as a base for a marinara sauce to accompany your seafood dishes. You can even add a splash to your coconut cookie batter.See more: Discover the properties of coconut oil inside and outside the kitchen6 months of refreshing waitCoconut water takes between four to six months to form. This is why its nutritional value is high. In Mexico, the green coconut has a diameter of up to 40 cm and weighs around 2.5 kilograms, but when it's peeled to reveal the brown, fibrous part, the coconut loses half of its weight.Guerrero, Jalisco, and Sinaloa are the main coconut producers in Mexico, and according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2022, the national coconut production was 474,139 tons.By Guadalupe CamachoContinue reading: What you should and shouldn't do with coconut oil on the skin