We're right in the middle of party and wedding season, which means that it's the time of the year where you're most likely to indulge in that extra glass of wine or reach for an extra piece of cake. This might feel fun at the time, but when the next morning comes with a pounding headache, bloat, lethargy and nausea, it can hit you like a pile of bricks. Even if you went into the night with the best of intentions, the siren call of just one more cocktail can prove too hard to resist.
Everyone has their hangover trick of choice—some choose to go with the hair of the dog, some rely on black coffee and sports drinks (and some more intrepid people swear by raw eggs). But one of the easiest ways to balance out the season's excess is to reach out for a glass of tender coconut water.
Benefits of coconut water
Celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija affirms that coconut water is an excellent drink, and is known for its high concentrations of electrolytes, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. It has become the latest health craze because it promises a slew of benefits, including helping with kidney stones, boosting metabolism, amplifying body hydration and improving the immune system. Research shows that coconut water contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. If this wasn't enough, some studies show that since coconut water is chock-full of magnesium, it may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. It also contains large amounts of potassium and easily digested carbohydrates in the form of bio-available electrolytes.
Why coconut water is the best hangover cure
Wake up looking and feeling a lot less sparkly than you were last night? It's because your body is severely dehydrated. Hangovers are the body's natural response as it attempts to metabolise the alcohol. Since it is a diuretic, it causes the body to flush out fluids and makes it harder to absorb more. This is where the benefits of coconut water come in. Its electrolytes and potassium rehydrate the body quickly, and can ease out a headache and nausea too.
“One of the easiest and healthiest hacks to quickly hydrate is to have coconut water,” says Dr Siddhant Bhargava, co-founder and nutritionist, Food Darzee. An alcohol binge depletes the body of its natural electrolytes. To have sodium-rich food or drinks is a way to replete this deficit, but excess sodium is not recommended. “Coconut water contains potassium and natural sugars that instantly hydrate the body, making it an excellent choice whether you have been ill or are nursing a hangover,” he adds. Potassium helps keep fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, thereby improving nerve and muscle function. Though you can have coconut water at any time of the day, if you really need a quick fix to that cocktail OD, it's best to start the morning with a tall glass of the elixir. “A foolproof hack to avoid hangovers altogether to start your evening with some coconut water before you proceed to alcoholic beverages,” shares Dr Bhargava.
The best ways to use coconut water
Another interesting trick to enjoy the evening and avail of the benefits of coconut water is to replace soda or water in your cocktails with some coconut water. Try vodka, mint and coconut water for an interesting twist to the classic mojito. Because of its almost neutral, mildly sweet flavour, it blends well with fruits such as strawberries, grapefruits, pineapples, cranberries and lychee. When it comes to cocktails, vodka, gin and tequila can be mixed with coconut water for refreshing drinks that won't hit as hard.
Despite having natural sugar, coconut water is low in calories and hence a go-to drink for most weight-watchers. It's packed with nutrients and fills you up quickly, suppressing your appetite. If the taste of coconut water becomes a tad monotonous, add a dash of spices such as cinnamon, fresh mint leaves, ginger, cloves, roasted cumin powder, sea salt and black salt, suggests Yatendra Rawat, executive chef, Ananda in the Himalayas. “When combined with lemon juice, honey and sea salt, coconut water gets transformed into an elixir that, besides [being] refreshing, is rich in antioxidants, helps regulate blood pressure, protects the body from free radical damage, and is beneficial in [both] increasing good HDL cholesterol and containing triglyceride levels, .”
Coconut water is definitely a post-party elixir but for casual sipping, it's not a substitute for zero-calorie water. Thus, be careful to not to have more than 500-600ml of coconut water (roughly the water from two large tender coconuts) spaced out through the day.
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