Is Coconut Water Good For Weight Loss?

It is impossible to beat coconut water for weight loss and rejuvenation (1). This hydrating drink is natural and nutrient-rich and replenishes your body post-exercise without making you feel bloated. In addition, this tropical drink may be beneficial to your weight loss program. So, if you are looking for an effective way to lose weight, you need to drink coconut water frequently.

Coconut water refers to the liquid endospermⁱ  Found in the center of a young coconut, it is a tissue that provides essential nutrients to the growing coconut embryo. inside coconuts. The liquid is slightly turbid and tastes salty and sweet. It is also fantastic for your hair and skin. This article discusses tips and benefits of consuming coconut water for weight loss, its impact on your health and wellness, its nutritional profile, and any potential side effects. Read on.

Coconut Water Weight Loss Facts

1. Nutritional Benefits

While we discuss how coconut water for weight loss is a great way to stay healthy, it is extremely important to understand that you need to opt for green coconut water for best results. Avoid having coconut milk that is available from the ripe coconut. Coconut milk is a high-calorie drink. It might give the reverse outcome, especially when you aim at shedding your extra pounds.

Let us explore the fundamental nutritional values of coconut water.

• Fiber

Just one cup of this refreshing drink contains 3 g of fiber in it. The amount is remarkably high when compared to other drinks. Water, cola, soda, and other similar drinks do not contain as much fiber as coconut water. Fiber contains no calories and helps in slowing down the absorption of food through the digestive system.

This, in turn, helps to maintain the blood sugar level. At the same time, the fiber in coconut water helps in preventing food cravings, sugar spikes, and crashes. Modern research has proved that fiber expedites the food passage through the colon, which helps in eliminating the waste water from the body much easily.

• Potassium

Potassium is a major component of coconut water. It contains more potassium (300mg in a cup) than a banana, which is another rich source of this nutrient. Potassium is an excellent electrolyteⁱ  A type of electrically charged essential mineral that helps balance the body's fluid levels and regulates nerve and muscle function. that transforms food into energy. In addition, potassium also helps in building and strengthening body muscles. You must have heard that muscles burn more calories compared to the fat.

• Protein

You get 2 gm of protein from a cup of coconut water. Protein is a major appetite suppressant that helps you consume lower calories when you aim at losing weight fast. Many people on a weight reduction mission stick to a high-protein diet for this reason. Being high in protein, coconut water is an excellent choice to make.

• Vitamin C

Dieticians often recommend adding coconut water to your diet chart as it is a rich source of vitamin C. You can get 10% of your daily required allowance of antioxidants and vitamin C from a cup of coconut water alone. Vitamin C, as studies show, is a must for producing a hormone called carnitine that helps in carrying energy directly to the cells.

• Enzymes

Several enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, dehydrogenase, diastase, RNA polymerase, and phosphatase are present in coconut water. These enzymes aid the proper functioning of the digestive and metabolic systems.

2. How Does Coconut Water Help In Weight Loss?

You may wonder why coconut water and not anything else is recommended for reducing body weight. It is true that you could find many foods that help you stay fit and reduce calories for staying fit. In the case of coconut water, you get multiple benefits from a single cup of drink.

Here are the reasons why drinking coconut water will help you lose weight.

(i) Low In Calories

A cup of coconut offers just 46 calories, in addition to a number of essential nutrients. It is a good option when compared to packaged drinks and even water. The packaged drinks contain added sugar and flavor, which will make you gain weight. Water, on the other hand, is devoid of the natural electrolytes that coconut water contains. This low calorie natural drink will keep you hydrated and also help you lose weight by consuming fewer calories.

(ii) Increases Metabolic Rate

People with a low metabolic rate run the risk of becoming obese sooner or later. When you have a low metabolic rate, no matter how less you eat, you gain weight. Coconut water helps to increase the metabolic rate, thus helping you fight obesity. It improves digestion and absorption of food and channels the energy produced for performing various voluntary and involuntary tasks.

(iii) Lowers Cholesterol

A high amount of bad cholesterol (LDLⁱ  Short for low-density lipoprotein, it is the “bad” cholesterol that collects in the walls of your blood vessels, raising your chances of health problems. ) in your blood can clog your arteries by getting deposited on the walls of your arteries. This will hinder smooth blood flow, which can prove to be fatal. It has been scientifically proven that coconut water, in fact, lowers cholesterol (2). Coconut water converts the bad cholesterol to bile acids, which is then excreted out.

(iv) Improves Insulin Sensitivity

Wondering whether drinking coconut water is safe for anyone with diabetes? Coconut water contains antioxidants that help to scavenge the reactive oxygen species (ROS). These reactive oxygen species are the main reason for many diseases, disorders, and aging. It has been found that coconut water helps to reduce ROS, which in turn improves insulin sensitivity (3). When your body is sensitive to insulin, you will be less prone to gain weight or become diabetic.

(v) Spares Proteins As Energy Source

Coconut water helps to build lean muscle. It is a low-calorie drink and helps to lower blood cholesterol and increase your metabolic rate, thus resulting in lesser fat accumulation in your body. The already stored fat gets used up as an energy source. So, all you are left with is muscle.

Liv, a vlogger, spoke about drinking only coconut water for 6 days and shared her results in her video. She said, “I had a lot of energy. I just felt really good the whole time (i).”

(vi) Supports Thyroid Function

When the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, the metabolic rate is slow. Coconut water helps the thyroid to function properly, thus normalizing the metabolic rate.

(vii) Keeps Your Body Hydrated

Coconut water is rich in nutrition and keeps you hydrated. After drinking the water of a tender coconut, you tend to feel full, and as a result, you don’t feel hungry for at least an hour. You will also not feel the desire to munch on junk food as the unique combination of salts and sugar in coconut water satisfies your taste buds.

Did You Know?

During World War II, soldiers were given coconut water to treat dehydration as there was a lack of medical supplies.

3. When To Drink Coconut Water

• After working out
• Early in the morning with a dash of lime
• Lunch or post-lunch
• After a hectic day

4. Useful Tips

• Try to drink natural, freshly cut tender coconut.
• Do not store it for more than a day.
• Add fresh fruits to coconut water to make it extra nutritious.
• Do not add sugar or artificial sweeteners.
• Tender coconut water is more beneficial for losing weight as compared to water from the mature ones.
• If you don’t like to eat the thin layer of tender coconut, apply it on your skin.

Quick Tip

You can use tender coconut water as a substitute for water or fruit juice when making vegetable juices in a blender. It will add a touch of saltiness and sweetness to the end product.

5. Caution

Drinking coconut water more than once or twice a day can lead to a rise in the sugar levels. High sugar intake will serve no purpose if you want to lose weight. Coconut water also contains about 0.5 grams of saturated fat per cup. Saturated fats are bad fats and will lead to weight gain. They can also make you prone to heart disease or stroke. Also, avoid drinking packaged coconut water.

The source of coconut water is important. The canned or processed ones might have artificial flavors, which may increase the sugar levels indirectly. As it is high in potassium, coconut water should be taken with caution by patients with kidney or heart problems.

Let us look into some other health risks of consuming coconut water in excess below.

Coconut Water Side Effects

Many people don’t know how to use coconut for weight loss and end up facing adverse reactions. The key is in moderation! Drinking coconut water in the recommended amount may be beneficial for health but excessive consumption may cause the following side effects:

• Coconut water has natural laxative and diuretic properties (4). Consuming too much in a short period may lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, increased urination, and significantly lower blood pressure.
• While coconut water is a great source of electrolytes, its excess consumption may create an electrolyte imbalance, leading to irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, and other symptoms.
• Coconut water is high in potassium. Drinking an excessive amount of coconut water may increase your potassium intake. A high serum potassium concentration is linked to cardiac arrhythmia and weakened kidney functions (5).
• Those who have coconut allergies may experience adverse reactions, such as swelling, breathing issues, itching, hives, or even, anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction).

Let us know whether drinking coconut water gave you the desired results by commenting in the box below. Cheers to good health!

Infographic: 5 Ways Coconut Water Helps You Lose Weight

Coconut water has more than just yumminess to offer. With so many benefits, it is no wonder it has become a popular choice for people looking to improve their health and lose weight. Check out the infographic below to learn why it might be a good addition to your weight loss routine.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coconut water good for belly fat?

Drinking coconut water may help in weight loss and increase metabolism, which may help decrease belly fat. It is considered one of the best detox drinks for weight loss.

Is coconut water better for you than water?

Coconut water is good for you, but it is not better than water in terms of hydration.

What happens when you drink coconut water on an empty stomach?

It may help increase your metabolism, keep you hydrated, boost your energy, improve your fitness, and make you feel full.

Illustration: Is Coconut Water Good For Weight Loss?

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Madhu SharmaRD

Madhu Sharma is a member of the National Executive Committee of IDA. She has been associated for almost three decades with Pediatric Nutrition at PGI while serving in the Gastroenterology Department (20 years) and then the Advanced Pediatric Center (10 yrs) at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

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Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information.

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Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science.

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