The Facts About Coconut Water And Estrogen


Coconut water has high levels of plant-based estrogen hormones. Plant-based estrogens like those found in coconut water form an important part of human nutrition. The amount naturally found in coconut water isn’t harmful, in fact it’s linked with maintaining hormonal balance, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and increasing muscle mass.

There’s growing evidence that coconut water contains certain estrogen-like characteristics. More specifically, coconut water has been shown to contain phytoestrogen. Estrogen from coconut water may offer some key health benefits, but it’s possible there are also some disadvantages.

Positive Effects Of Estrogen In Coconut Water

Estrogen is a hormone that’s responsible for several roles in our body. In women, estrogen specifically helps in the development and maintenance of our reproductive system.

It’s also partly responsible for female characteristics such as pubic hair and breasts.

The correct balance of estrogen in our body also helps to regulate weight, mood, and menstruation.

Drinking estrogen-rich coconut water can include some great benefits.

Increasing the body’s ability to heal and reducing the rate of Alzheimer’s are but to name a few. Although much is still unknown.

Here’s what we do know about the benefits of estrogen in coconut water.

1. Protects Our Heart

Estrogen plays an important role in helping to protect our heart. It does this by keeping cardiovascular tissue healthy. Higher estrogen levels also help keep bad cholesterol (LDL) low.

If you struggle with high cholesterol. Drinking coconut water has been shown to help reduce the bad cholesterol.

2. Improves Muscle Mass

Estrogen helps to maintain muscle mass and bone density.

It does this by increasing the collagen content between tissues in the body. Increased muscle mass helps protect us against osteoporosis, where bones become frail and brittle.

3. Regulates Your Mood

Changing estrogen levels can affect pre-menstrual mood swings. This is because estrogen helps to regulate serotonin. Serotonin is that ‘feel-good’ hormone and works by releasing endorphins.

Improved estrogen regulation can help to maintain a constant mood during a period. Another reason to consider consuming more coconut water.

4. Postmenopausal Hormone Balance

Evidence from a 2009 study using rats, suggested phytoestrogens like those found in coconut water can help with balancing postmenopausal hormones.

Although this hasn’t been confirmed yet in humans.

5. Reduces Alzheimer Disease

Young coconut juice has been shown to reduce the pathological changes from Alzheimers disease.

A study found that coconut juice modulated the same estrogen receptors in rat’s brains that are also present in humans. This means plant-based estrogens may prove beneficial for the reduction of Alzheimers disease in humans.

Negative Effects Of Estrogen

Taking estrogen also comes with some disadvantages. These include the possibility of side effects, including:

  • Increased breast tenderness and swelling.
  • Leg cramps
  • Headaches
  • Vaginal bleeding (Severe cases)
  • Feeling sick and nauseous

If you are struggling with any of these, it’s recommended that you seek medical advice. These are not symptoms that should be ignored.

Why Coconut Water Is High In Estrogen

Some plant foods are high in a compound called phytoestrogen.

Coconuts are one of these plant foods.

Phytoestrogens act similarly to estrogen because they are structurally similar. This means that they come with similar side effects to that of estrogen.

Coconut water mostly comes from the coconut plant, which means that it also contains phytoestrogen.

Be sure to check that your coconut water is derived from actual coconut plants, and not just manufactured concentrate. This will determine the amount of estrogen present in the coconut water.

Benefits of Coconut Water For Females

Drinking coconut water during menstruation and pregnancy comes with some clear benefits.

Pregnancy

When it comes to pregnancy, studies have shown that coconut water is beneficial for the growth of the baby as well as the pregnant woman herself.

Increased estrogen levels enable the uterus and placenta to improve vascularization. In other words, estrogen helps in the formation of blood vessels. This helps to transfer nutrients to the baby, which helps it to grow.

As some mothers may know, constipation can be a challenge throughout pregnancy. Coconut water helps to prevent constipation during pregnancy due to its high fiber content. This fiber helps to create a more regular bowel movement.

Coconut water is also known to assist with morning sickness and nausea, which makes it a great option during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Periods

Many nutritionists advise women to drink coconut water during menstruation, although in moderate amounts. This is because coconut water is high in calories and rich in fat. Drinking too much can cause bloating and discomfort for women who are in their pre-menstrual cycle.

Several studies have even shown that coconut water consumption helped lead to a more regular menstrual flow.

Drinking coconut water during a period helps to provide a women’s body with valuable nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Many of which play regulation roles during menstruation.

Coconut Water And Testosterone

There is a myth that continues to circulate online that coconut water contains testosterone, but this isn’t true.

Coconut water has improved testosterone levels in animal research, but there is no clear evidence that it improves testosterone levels in humans.

Certain researchers believe that it may have a testosterone boosting ability because of its mineral content, but the studies are inconclusive at this point.

However, there are still many great benefits of coconut water for men, the least being how delicious it tastes:

  • Aids in hydration
  • High in potassium
  • Free form fat and cholesterol
  • Helps to prevent kidney stones
  • Promotes healthy skin
  • Helps with weight loss due to very low calories

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Teri Orr

Teri is an earth scientist who also loves to run. She enjoys breaking down the science of drinks to help fuel your day with healthy and refreshing information and beverages!

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