healing food COCONUT WATER
Coconut water
Coconut water is a refreshing drink that supports everything from heart health to athletic performance.
Words DR KAREN BRIDGMAN
Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is the most extensively grown palm tree in the world. It is an important member of the palm family, originally from Southeast Asia. Coconut trees are major tropical and subtropical trees with multiple uses. They are a unique source of medicines and highly nutritious foods, and are important for the development of industrial products. All parts of the tree are used.
Coconut water
Coconut water is the sterile semi-clear fluid (the liquid endosperm) inside the young coconut, the ideal age of harvesting being 6–7 months and mature coconuts being harvested at 11–12 months. It has a similar electrolyte balance to human plasma. The maturity of the coconut determines the nutrient levels, with higher sucrose content and lower total phenolics in mature coconut water, and with higher fructose and glucose in less mature nuts. Coconut water has low levels of solid matter, mainly natural sugars and minerals.