Love sweet drinks but afraid of calories? Then fresh coconut is your best bet. Join us as we discuss its benefits and how to tell if a coconut is bad!
You’ve probably heard of the benefits of drinking coconuts, but in this blog, we will dig deeper and talk more on certain health issues that this drink can treat or prevent.
Although coconut in tetra packs are now available in supermarkets, drinking it fresh is the best option. Hence, we will also include some tips on how to tell if a coconut is bad.
Let’s get started!
Coconut Water Benefits And Uses
Good For Diabetes
Coconut water has a sweet taste yet low in calories. It is also rich in potassium and fiber that are highly recommended for diabetics. Because of the absence of refined sugar and packed with natural ones instead, blood sugar will rise gradually which is safe for diabetics to take.
However, it is still advisable to drink it in moderation. Although it has natural sugar, it still is “sugar” which people with diabetes must consume in moderation. The danger comes when the sugar level spikes quickly.
To put it simply, if you experience a fluctuating glucose count in your blood, then just avoid drinking it by all means. On normal days and when you crave for sweet drinks, then coconut water is an excellent alternative hydrant and potassium-rich drink.
Friendly reminder: Drink the fresh water without preservative. Make sure that the coconut water is not bad.
Good For Kidney Stone Problem
One of the properties of coconut juice is that it is low in sodium, which makes it a kidney-friendly drink. For people who suffer from kidney stones, drinking a lot of water is not enough. One must also consume certain drinks that help dissolve the stones and prevent them from sticking to the urinary tract and kidney parts.
If you notice that it is a bit uncomfortable to urinate, then the tendency is you might be suffering from urinary tract infection or mild kidney stone. Drinking fresh coconut juice prevents the stone crystals from sticking to the kidneys.
But how exactly does it happen?
Well, thanks to its high potassium content which plays an important role in renal functions.
How To Tell If A Coconut Is Bad?
There are basically 3 signs to bear in mind if you want to know how to tell if fresh coconut water is bad.
The Change In Color: From Transparent To Yellowish
If you are familiar with coconut, then you can easily answer, how do you know if the coconut is bad?
Fresh coconut juice is a translucent liquid with some chunks floating because it has a pulp. However, in some cases when the coconut fruit is infected, damaged, or has unnoticeable cracks, this could invite certain contaminants that would cause its coconut water to turn bad.
One indication is the water being yellowish in color. This change in color is a proof that the water is contaminated, thus the chemical change in its juice.
The Consistency: Watery To Creamy
Another sign is the consistency of the juice. Fresh coconuts have watery consistency although some chunks might float, the juice should not be creamy.
Try stirring the water first and if you notice the juice tends to get creamy and some foamy bubbles form on the surface, then avoid drinking it because the coconut is already spoiled.
The Aroma: From Sweet To Sour
The last indication is the aroma of the coconut juice. If a coconut is fresh and safe to consume, then it must have a sweet and sometimes buttery and yogurt-like odor for mature coconut water.
Over time, when the coconut water is stored at room temperature for too long, it will undergo a fermentation process. If this happens, then acids will form, causing the sour aroma and taste of the coconut water. To prevent this from happening, coconut should be chilled at all times.
In a nutshell, to preserve coconut, it must be kept in a cool place because the low temperature will help prevent contamination and infection caused by micro-organism. Therefore, you can enjoy your coconut drink much longer.
We hope you find our tips on how to tell if a coconut is bad so that you can avoid accidentally drinking the spoiled one.