Coconut water is a very refreshing drink to beat tropical
summer thirst. The juice is packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, and
minerals to replenish hydration levels in the body.
Research studies suggest that cytokinins (e.g., kinetin and
trans-zeatin) in coconut water showed significant anti-ageing,
anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects.
Coconut water has been generally offered to patients with
diarrhea in many tropic regions to replace fluid loss from the gastrointestinal
tract and reduce the need for intravenous therapy. The osmolarity of tender
coconut water is slightly greater than that of WHO recommended ORS (Oral
Rehydration Therapy) osmolarity. Presence of other biological constituents like
amino acids, enzymes, minerals, and fatty acids may account for this higher
osmolarity. However, unlike WHO-ORS, its water is very low in sodium and
chlorides, but rich in sugars and amino acids. This well-balanced fluid
composition with much needed calories would be an ideal drink than any other
brand of soft drink beverages in dehydration conditions.
Coconut water is composed of many naturally occurring
bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase,
peroxidase, RNA polymerases etc. Altogether, these enzymes aid in digestion and
metabolism.
Despite very light consistency, its water has much better
composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than
some of fruits like oranges. (Compare mineral composition of oranges).
Its water is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins
such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins
are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to
replenish.
Coconut water contains a very good amount of electrolyte
potassium. 100 ml of water has 250 mg of potassium and 105 mg of sodium.
Together, these electrolytes help replenish electrolytes deficiency in the body
due to diarrhea (loose stools).
In addition, fresh coconut water has small amount of
vitamin-C (ascorbic acid); provides about 2.4 mcg or 4% of RDA. Vitamin C is a
water-soluble ant-oxidant.
