Coconut water, on average, is pretty easy to digest although some people may have issues with it.
A lot of my clients have complained about how difficult coconut meat and some other coconut derivatives can be to digest. Thus, many are curious about is coconut water easy to digest. Well, here is the lowdown on this!
In this post, I will discuss why coconut water may or may not be easy to digest. I also offer up some guidelines on drinking it. Let’s begin!
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For the most part, coconut water is rather easy to digest. After all, when you break it down, it is essentially water with electrolytes and a few other components. Not to mention, it was found that coconut water causes far less digestive issues than certain beverages and sports drinks.
People who drank coconut water reported fewer instances of nausea, upset stomach, and a feeling of fullness.
At the same time, you do have to bear in mind that everyone is different. It is possible that you may not react as well to coconut water. In this case, you may notice a feeling of discomfort or fullness.
It is also possible to be allergic to coconut, although this is quite rare. If you are allergic to coconut, then you are more likely to have a negative reaction to coconut water as well. There is a higher chance of you being allergic to coconut if you are also allergic to hazelnuts or walnuts.
In small amounts, coconut water is unlikely to impact your digestive system in any way. Issues may only crop up when you drink too much of it.
This is due to the high potassium content in coconut water. In small quantities, this potassium boost is a good thing. Drink a lot of coconut water in a short period of time, though, and you will find that the potassium levels in your system will get pretty high.
This may also happen if your diet is already high in potassium or you have a medical condition that causes your potassium levels to be above average. Here, even a smaller amount of coconut water may push you to a higher level.
One of the side effects of a too-high potassium level is stomach issues and diarrhea.
The most common recommendation for coconut water is between 6 and 8 ounces a day. This can guarantee the health benefits of the beverage without inciting the side effects.
Of course, each person reacts to coconut water a little differently. For some, 6 to 8 ounces may actually be a bit too high. If you notice any digestive issues after drinking this amount, try to cut down on your intake. Start with a lower amount and gradually increase your intake until you find your sweet spot.
Some people may not feel any side effects at all when they go over the recommended amount. Therefore, they will have no trouble drinking more than this.
Keep in mind that even if you don’t experience any side effects that it isn’t a good idea to drink too much coconut water. You do have to be mindful of balancing the potassium levels in your body.
Once again, this is all about your body’s reaction to coconut water. For some, drinking coconut water on an empty stomach doesn’t cause any issues. For others, it does.
To stay on the safe side, avoid drinking coconut water on an empty stomach. This is sure to prevent any side effects.
There is no set time for when you can drink coconut water – you can drink it at any point during the day. Since the drink does contain some electrolytes, it may be more effective after a workout or a day out in the hot sun.
It should be noted that some people do find coconut water to be a diuretic.
If this is true for you, you may find yourself needing to make more trips to the bathroom after drinking it. Therefore, you may want to avoid drinking coconut water right before bed otherwise you may find that your sleep schedule is impacted.
In this case, you may also want to stay clear of the beverage if you are planning on heading out of the house.
As you can see, coconut water is pretty easy for most people to digest. However, this may not apply to everyone, so you should always monitor how you feel after drinking the beverage. On a similar note, it is a good idea to avoid overindulging in coconut water.
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