Coconut water is not coconut milk. It is a clear liquid found in the green coconut before it develops the white flesh typical of mature coconuts. Coconut water differs from coconut milk, which is made by mixing the mature coconut meat with water.
Coconut water is a natural sports drink filled with electrolytes that help restore the body's balance after physical activity. Electrolytes are minerals found in body fluids (such as blood, sweat and urine) that help regulate a number of important body functions. The most common electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate and bicarbonate. We lose electrolytes when we sweat, so it's important to replenish them, especially after exercise or on hot days.
Coconut water naturally contains electrolytes and therefore helps the body restore balance. Remember to drink lots of coconut water when you go on holiday in hot countries, as you sweat a lot because of the heat and thus lose a lot of electrolytes.
Coconut water is very popular in warm countries in Africa and Asia, where coconut palms grow naturally. Coconut water is not only delicious and refreshing, it's also full of electrolytes that help keep you hydrated. The last time I was on holiday in the Ivory Coast in Africa, I drank quite a bit of coconut water. It was extremely hot as I wandered around different markets to find interesting products. In the markets of the large city of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, there were often small stalls where they sold fresh coconuts. You buy a whole coconut, i.e. the big green coconut, and you choose for yourself. The seller makes a hole in it so you can easily drink the coconut water right away through a straw. You also have the option of getting the water in a container for later. Afterwards, the seller cuts the coconut into two parts and gives you a spoon so you can eat the soft coconut meat inside the nut. I just say yum because it tastes amazing. The fresh pulp is very soft and tender when the nut is fresh. I hope you try to taste a fresh coconut when you go on vacation in the warm countries.
I bought coconut water in a supermarket in Denmark, and I have to say that the taste is not the same as the fresh one I usually buy on holiday. But if you just want to get more electrolytes in a natural way, it's okay to drink. In this way, the focus is not so much on the taste, but rather on nutrition.
Here are the general nutrients found in coconut water:
Potassium is one of the most crucial electrolytes in coconut water. It helps maintain fluid balance and support nerve and muscle function. Coconut water also contains sodium and also contains electrolytes, which contribute to fluid balance and blood pressure regulation. You can also find calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in coconut water. These elements are important for bone health, muscle and nerve function and energy production. Coconut water also contains vitamin C and sugar.
Below you will get an insight into how much nutrition there is in 100 ml of coconut water:
- Calories: Approx. 19-25 kcal
- Potassium: Approx. 250-300 mg
- Sodium: Approx. 20-30 mg
- Calcium: Approx. 24-30 mg
- Magnesium: Approx. 5-15 mg
- Phosphorus: Approx. 10-15 mg
- Vitamin C: Approx. 2-5 mg
- Sugar: Approx. 2-4 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Remember to drink coconut water when you are on holiday in warm countries. There you can easily find fresh green coconuts in markets. The green coconut not only contains flavorful coconut water and coconut meat, but is also loaded with electrolytes to help you stay hydrated while on vacation. If you don't have time to go to the market to buy it, you can simply ask the receptionist of the hotel you are staying at for recommendations on where to find fresh coconuts. It is also possible to buy coconut water in Denmark in supermarkets, but unfortunately the taste is not quite the same as the fresh one.
