SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE COCONUT WATER
- Coconut water is a simple but refreshing drink. We are lucky in ASEAN region, the coconut is a relatively cheap and readily available fruit. There has been much hype about this fruit in the West lately, and some of the packed coconut water are overly charged making it not a choice for hydration after a strenuous workout.
- Cytokinins (e.g., kinetin and trans-zeatin) are found in coconut water, they have significant anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic (anti-clot formation) effects.
- Coconut water has been generally offered to patients with diarrhea in many tropic regions to replace the fluid loss from the gastrointestinal tract and to reduce the need for intravenous therapy. The osmolarity of tender coconut water is slightly greater than that of WHO recommended ORS (Oral Rehydration Therapy) solution. Presence of other biological constituents like amino acids, enzymes, minerals, and fatty acids may account for this higher osmolarity. Nonetheless, unlike WHO-ORS, its water is very low in sodium and chlorides, but rich in sugars and amino acids. This well-balanced fluid composition, along with much-needed calories, would be an ideal drink instead of any other kind of soft drink beverages to rectify dehydration conditions.
- Coconut water is composed of many naturally occurring bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase, peroxidase, RNA-polymerases etc. In effect, these enzymes help in the digestion and metabolism.
- Despite being very light in consistency, its water has proportionately better composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some of the fruit juices like oranges.
- Its liquid is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that the human body requires them from external sources to replenish.
- Coconut water contains very good amount of electrolyte potassium. 100 ml of water has 250 mg of potassium and 105 mg of sodium. Together, these electrolytes help replenish electrolyte deficiency in the body due to diarrhea (loose stools).
- Further, fresh coconut water has a small amount of vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid); It provides about 2.4 mg or 4% of RDA. Vitamin C is a water-soluble ant-oxidant.
Just a quick overview of the benefits of coconut water:
- Aids Weight loss
- Maintains a good and supple skin
- A natural remedy for Hangovers
- Help to facilitate digestion
- Boost of hydration
- Reduce blood pressure
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Its liquid form is very compatible with blood plasma
SOME COMMON BRANDS OF COCONUT WATER AVAILABLE IN SINGAPORE
Some quick benefits related to coconut water:
- Aids Weight loss
- Maintains a good and supple skin
- A natural remedy for Hangovers
- Help to facilitate digestion
- Boost of hydration
- Reduce blood pressure
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Its liquid form is very compatible with blood plasma
1. MUNKIJO COCONUT WATER
The MUNKIJO Coconut water is from Philippines, you might not know Philippines the world’s largest exporter in coconuts. The MUNKIJO is priced expensively because it is tetra pak for freshness and it is a 100% Pure coconut juice with no additives or preservatives. Having tried it, the taste is good but not so sweet. It is good for those who like the taste of coconut minus the sweetness of it.
Available in Cedele and some organic stores Singapore.
2.COCO LOCO COCONUT WATER
If you like the sweet taste of coconut water, then COCO LOCO is a good choice for you. http://www.cocoloco.sg/. These coconut water taste really good because they are imported straight from Thailand itself. Then after which they are harvested and put into bottles locally. The coconut water are advised to be consumed within one or two days to ensure the quality and freshness. It is not cheap, priced at SG$ 4.60 a bottle of 330ml, these heavenly tasty drinks are 100% natural like MUNKIJO only sweeter. You can also get a cheaper alternative by NTUC: The Botak Thai Coocnut. But you will need to crack the nuts yourself and that requires some skills.
Available ONLINE ( Please visit the link)
3. COCO LIFE coconut water, Eau De Noix De Coco and Yeo’s Coconut Water
After tasting the two expensive and 100% coconut water, I was totally glued to this super nature’s gift of hydration. However, I did found out that coconut water is a cold fruit ( in Traditional Chinese Medicine: 凉) As such people with higher YIN elements are not to consume too much of these fruit as it could elevate the YIN condition in your body. I even heard old people saying that drinking too much of coconut juice might even result in NO MENSES? ! But that is to be proven. Well as mentioned before time and time again, anything taken in moderation is good. Taken in abundance could result in the LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURNS 🙂
I had put these 3 types of coconut brands together because they all have some additives. But they are way cheaper than the previous two brands. They taste relatively the same, and can be kept for a longer period of time. COCO LIFE is however, a little more pricey than the other two brands.
COCO LIFE: 250 ML for $1.50( COLDS STORAGE)
EAU DE NOIX DE COCO: 500 ML $2 ( Special Price from SHINE KOREA)
YEO’s COCONUT WATER: 500 ML $1.95 ( All Major supermarkets in Singapore)
All prices quoted are in SGD. These coconut water are also good alternatives to the more expensive ones, but since they contain some additives, it might not be that good to consume that much. The YEO’s brand one is much sweeter than the rest due to addition of sugar. EAU DE NOIX DE COCO is by far the closest to the most natural coconut water. However, I only saw it once at SHINE KOREA, and never chance upon it anywhere else in the supermarkets in Singapore.
4. COOL Young Coconut Juice
COOL brand is really the most commonly found brand in Singapore, however, this brand has additives and sugar added. It does have some pulp inside the drink which makes it quite refreshing to drink and chew. It is also good for make desert. For all the sweeter coconut juices, you may add in Ice to give it a more chilling effect in this hot weather of ours.
Available all major supermarkets, last that I bought this was at $1.50 from the super markets for 500ml can.