It’s on the beach. In the sports arena. And, looks transparent as you pour it out. In a matter of some time, turns slightly pinkish. Yes, you guessed that right. It’s the partially nutty yet sweet beverage you have in mind.
You definitely want to settle for it as an alternative to all the sugary synthetic drinks out there. Have you ever wondered if it works for weight loss? Get answers to all your questions, including: Is coconut water good for weight loss?
In order to link any food with weight loss, it is important to have a know-how about its chemical composition. With further breakdown of the constituents, it becomes easier to find out if any of those help with weight loss. Following this approach, this guide aims to answer the big question about the subject of coconut water.
Coconut Water Under the Microscope
One cup of coconut water comes packed with three sets of nutrients that are immersed in 95% of the water content. These nutrients can further be classified into different names. All of the constituents have distinct properties which may help with weight loss. However, to distinguish myths from facts, let’s go through each of those following a study-based approach.
The Enzyme Content
It’s not a matter of one or two enzymes but many. Yes, coconut water contains a number of bioactive enzymes. Some of these enzymes have been identified as the following: 1) catalase, 2) dehydrogenase, 3) acid phosphatase, 4) peroxidase, 5) polyphenol oxidase, 6) RNA-polymerases, etc. It would take a separate article to put together research-based info on each of these. So, a brief overview of some of these has been put up for now.
Consider, for instance, the Acid Phosphatase enzyme. It belongs to the Hydrolase class of enzymes. All the enzymes in this class break down larger molecules and compounds into smaller molecules in the presence of water. In short, consuming Acid Phosphatase leads to a boost in metabolic activities in our body. However, medical practitioners claim that there’s little research to associate a slow-paced metabolism with weight gain. However, manipulation of your metabolic state can help you burn a few more calories.
The B & C Vitamin Theory
Vitamins from the B Complex series, as well as Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), are part of coconut water composition. We’ve all heard their names when listening to content on weight loss. But do they really help in shedding extra pounds? Let’s read through a research-based analysis on both the vitamins to see if they deem coconut water good for weight loss.
· Ascorbic Acid Coupled with Exercise
Scientific evidence does suggest Vitamin C helps with fat reduction. However, this works in the form of a formula where Ascorbic acid has to be consumed with moderate-level workouts. Journal of the American College of Nutrition published a review in 2005, emphasizing the need to take Vitamin C in such a fashion.
· Baseline Strategy to Control Appetite
As mentioned earlier, herbal diets cannot transform your body overnight. But weight loss goes a long way when targeted with lifestyle changes coupled with healthy food. It’s a complete cycle where each element makes way for the other. The same is the case with B vitamins, seven of which are found in coconut water. Even after lacking B12, coconut water can still help curb appetite since the whole complex helps meet that goal.
The Mineral Elements
Electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and manganese, are present in coconut water. All three of them work in different ways, which may affect your weight loss regimen. A brief overview of these comes as follows.
· Sodium Electrolyte
Kristy Baumann, a dietician experienced in working with running athletes as clients, considers sodium electrolytes an important part of the exercise regimen. She claims it caters to water retention during and after exercise. Weight loss plans don’t make sense without exercise.
That’s when water leaves your body in the form of sweat. Water loss equivalent to 1-2% of your bodily weight can cause a decline in attention, strength, and speed. So, that’s where the use of sodium fits in.
· Manganese Electrolyte
While you’re losing weight, you don’t want your immune system to knock out. Likewise, you want everything you eat during this process to be absorbed by your body for optimized effects. That’s where manganese comes to save the day.
· Potassium Electrolyte
When you’re shifting from moderate-intensity exercise to cardio exercises, you don’t want your muscles to cramp severely. Right? Likewise, a lack of muscular strength cannot take you a long way.
When dieting, you may not want to use supplements for averting symptoms of exercise. That’s when you can stay close to natural sources like coconut water to consume the recommended amount of potassium electrolyte. This is the mineral element that helps alleviate all the adverse effects of exercise.
Go-to Nutrients
The third set of nutrients found in coconut water comprises macronutrients, i.e., nutrients required in larger amounts by the body. One cup of coconut water contains two of the three macronutrients, namely carbohydrates (10.4 grams) and proteins (0.5 grams).
At the same time, the third nutrient, fat, is already non-existent in its chemical composition. As an added and simpler version of carbohydrates, this cup of coconut water also comes with 9.6 grams of sugar.
So, if you’re counting your calories for weight loss, which you definitely are, prefer to fulfill your proteins and carbs through this naturally occurring source of nutrients.
Final Word
The breakdown of constituents in the three nutrient groups found in coconut water doesn’t actively contribute to losing weight. There exists partial information on the question, Is coconut water good for weight loss?
Research suggests they can become part and parcel of your overall journey. They can help you counter post-workout side effects. And make smaller but spontaneous changes to your body’s metabolic activities.
Above all, coconut water can save you some extra dollars which you would have otherwise spent on fancy dietary supplements. Additionally, when you’re done eating the same carbs and proteins, you can interchangeably fulfill your recommended dietary needs with the carbs and amino acids in coconut water.
