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Coconut water

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Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside young coconuts. These fruits come from the coconut palm tree. This liquid is vital for the fruit's early development. During the nuclear phase, the water acts as a suspension for the endosperm. The endosperm is the tissue that will eventually become the coconut meat. As the fruit matures, the endosperm enters a cellular phase. It then deposits into the rind of the coconut pulp. Many people prefer the liquid from young coconuts over ripened ones. In Philippine English, this liquid is specifically called buko juice.

Young Coconut Drink
Young Coconut Drink

Harvesting the liquid requires specific methods to ensure freshness. Farmers typically harvest the coconuts while they are still green. To reach the liquid and the pulp, a hole is often bored into the coconut. Because the liquid and air may be under pressure, it might spray slightly when the husk is first pierced. Coconuts that fall to the ground are not ideal for drinking. These fallen fruits are susceptible to rot or damage from insects and animals.

Fresh coconut water
Fresh coconut water

There are many ways to consume and use coconut water. It is a popular drink in tropical countries. You can find it fresh, chilled, or packaged in cans and bottles. Street vendors often sell it by cutting coconuts open with machetes in front of customers. Retail products come in aluminum cans, glass bottles, or Tetra Paks. Some packaged versions even include coconut pulp or coconut jelly. Beyond drinking, the liquid has other uses. It can be fermented to produce coconut vinegar. It is also used to make a jelly-like food called nata de coco.

Coconut-water vendor on donkey cart, c. 1950. Port of Spain
Coconut-water vendor on donkey cart, c. 1950. Port of Spain

The nutritional makeup of coconut water is very specific. It is composed of 95% water and 4% carbohydrates. These carbohydrates provide food energy for the consumer. The liquid contains negligible amounts of protein and fat. It also contains small amounts of vitamins and dietary minerals. However, each of these nutrients provides under 10% of the Daily Value (DV).

Fresh coconut water
Fresh coconut water

History shows that coconut water has been used in medical contexts. During the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, it was used as a substitute for saline. The Documentation Center of Cambodia noted that untrained nurses administered green coconut water during the Pol Pot regime. This practice was cited as a crime against humanity. Today, physicians do not recommend using coconut water as a substitute for saline. In southern India, anecdotal sources describe a custom called thalaikoothal. In this practice, elderly people were made to drink excessive amounts of coconut water. This resulted in fever and death, though the exact causes remain undetermined.

Regulatory agencies monitor how coconut water is marketed to the public. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified risks regarding bacterial contamination in "raw" coconut water. The FDA also disallows marketing claims that attribute specific health benefits to the drink. Some producers have falsely claimed the water is antiviral or can regulate blood glucose levels. Others have claimed it can lower cholesterol. These claims are considered inappropriate by regulatory agencies.

Young Coconut Drink
Young Coconut Drink

Legal issues have arisen from misleading advertising regarding electrolytes. Some companies faced class-action lawsuits for calling products "super-hydrating" or "mega-electrolyte." One specific company, Vita Coco, was sued for claiming its product had 15 times the electrolytes found in sports drinks. The plaintiffs also alleged the company misrepresented sodium and magnesium levels. Vita Coco denied any wrongdoing but settled the lawsuit for US$10 million in April 2012. This highlights the importance of accurate nutritional labeling in the food industry.

Coconut-water vendor on donkey cart, c. 1950. Port of Spain
Coconut-water vendor on donkey cart, c. 1950. Port of Spain
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File:Young Coconut Drink.jpg
Young Coconut Drink.jpg
File:Fresh coconut water.jpg
Fresh coconut water.jpg
File:Coconut-water vendor on donkey cart, c. 1950. Port of Spain.jpg
Coconut-water vendor on donkey cart, c....
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