The exotic coconut: The ‘super nut’ (Part 2)

Last week, I started writing about the incredible palm tree, Arecaceae, more commonly known as the coconut tree, which prospers in the tropics, the Indian Subcontinent, the Fareast, Pacific Islands, and warm temperate climates. I also described the trees and their different parts: The flowers, the nutrient dense coconut water and its tender pulp, the crunchy coconut kernel, which produces the coconut milk and the invaluable oil. I also spoke about their different uses in their native Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Today, I shall give details on the juice of this precious plant, which is found within the shell of the very young coconut pulp, kernel.
Within the cavity of the immature unripe round coconut (Cocos nucifera) and inside its hard protective shell, there lies the clear refreshing thirst-quenching liquid, bathing the tender young delicious soft (jelly-like) coconut pulp. To yield enough juice, the nut should not be older than 5-7 months. This translucent nutritious water is greatly valued for its health giving characteristics.
This pure uncontaminated liquid, which has a slightly sweet agreeable taste, contains a variety of different nutrients ranging from natural sugars, vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids to minerals, electrolytes, cytokines, and phytosterols. The sweetness, flavor, and taste of the water and meat, or kernel, rely on the type of soil where the palm tree grows as well as the location (on seaside or inland). The salinity of the soil, whether closer to the coastline or inland, influences the taste and flavor of the coconut water. The climate and location impact the quality, taste, and size of the coconut.
Each young water-yielding coconut offers between 100 and 200 milliliters. When younger than five months, the taste tends to be more on the bitter side and the nutrient content much lower. Older coconuts provide less liquid and more of the white meat, or pulp.
Coconut water is not the same as coconut milk, which is extracted from the white older crunchy kernel that lines the inside of the shell. The hard to crack shell firmly seals and protects the water from contamination and dryness. Layers of thick fiber protect the hard shell from animals, pests, weather damage, perforation, and breaking as the nut hits the ground, when dropping from the top of the very tall palm tree.
Now, allow me to analyze some of the above-mentioned nutrients in coconut water, which convert into health benefits in our cells, tissue, organs, systems, brain, and the body. Our cells love it for its quenching and nourishing nutrient-rich content. Moreover, the water maintains a healthy pH balance (homeostasis) within the body.
Apart from being refreshing and hydrating, coconut juice contains nourishing, bioavailable, and fast-acting simple sugars, electrolytes, minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and more), amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and “healthy” fatty acids replenish the loss caused by dehydration in children as well as adults and seniors during grave and chronic illnesses, viruses, acute infections, and deficiencies.
In the tropics, the natives treat those who are suffering from diarrhea and dehydration with coconut water to replace the loss of body fluids and essential nutrients, a condition, which requires hospitalization and medical care. The nutrient content of coconut juice is even superior to the Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) solution recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), because of the bioavailability and density of its natural nutrients, which work synergistically and help their uptake.
The coconut’s naturally sterilized liquid is composed of a balanced concentration of nutrient particles, which is ideal to substitute for the loss of fluids drained from the body due to inflectional diarrhea and deficiencies. Its content of balanced electrolytes of 250mg of potassium and 105mg of sodium in 100ml of juice replenishes the loss of nutrients and fluids. The water is low in sodium and chloride, but high in potassium, magnesium, natural sugars, and essential amino acids. The electrolyte preparations found in pharmacies provide similar nutrient composition, but not the full range. They are given to children orally or intravenously in case of dehydration caused by diarrhea or high temperatures and infections.
Its exceptional group of nutrients make it balanced and ideal to replace the loss of calories and much-needed nutrients. Its content could be compared to blood serum. It also makes the perfect energy drink for athletes, active or sick children, and weakened seniors. Its nutritional value surpasses that of soft, soda, or energy beverages sold in the market to prevent dehydration and mineral and nutrient losses due to perspiration and calorie burning. Its potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and others make the nutrient dense water richer in minerals than any freshly squeezed juice (orange…). No soda, soft, or energy drink can match its nutritious ingredients and natural bioactive nutrients or produce the same pH balance (homeostasis) much needed for good health.
Coconut juice is rich in naturally occurring “bioactive enzymes” required to correct a sluggish digestive system and a slow metabolism. They range from phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, and diastase to peroxidase, RNA-polymerase, and more, which are essential to synthesize many important nutrients.
Coconut water also contains bioavailable B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, niacin (B3), thiamine (B1), pyridoxine (B6), and folates (B9) required for conditions like anemia (low red blood cells), anxiety, irritability, and poor immunity. They also enhance poor appetite and protect the nervous system. Though vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is low 2.4mg (4% of RDA) in the juice, it is sufficient to increase the bioavailability of its other nutrients.
Coconut juice contains cytokines (kinetin, trans-zeatin…), a category of very small proteins, which play an important role in cell signaling and communication between cells as well as in controlling their behavior. They serve as molecule messengers between cells. Cytokines communicate with immune cells to work together to respond to infections and disorders. They also act as immune-regulators by targeting immune cells and attaching to them. When cytokines go awry (excessive or inappropriate production), they cause inflammation and tissue destruction, resulting in autoimmune disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis…).
According to research studies, cytokinins, the plant cytokines (phytohormones) found in coconut water, produce anti-aging, anti-cancer, anticoagulant (anti-blood-clotting agents) benefits. Its blood thinning property makes the blood flow smoothly in the brain to allow the nutrients reach organs and circulate through tiny and thin vessels, preventing strokes, fatal heart attacks, pulmonary embolism, and leg clots.
Fresh coconut water should be given to undernourished and dehydrated children as well as elderly people who have deficiencies and have issues eating well due to the loss of appetite or depression. It replenishes insufficiencies, gives them energy, and fortifies their blood.
This does not mean healthy people cannot enjoy it. In the tropics and Pacific Islands, it is a favorite drink alone or mixed with fresh juices or others. Tourists relish its refreshing taste and enjoy its subtle flavor straight from the green coconut with the help of a straw.
Next week, I shall explain to you the myriads of unbelievable benefits and uses of the virgin coconut oil (VCO). Writing about it could consume much of the ink in my pen. I recommend that you read the next several articles on this miraculous oil that has been maligned and blacklisted for decades due to flawed research.
References:
• Coconut Water Nutrition Facts

N.B.:
Individuals with medical conditions or on medication should consult their physicians when they decide to introduce anything new in their diet even if it is natural.
The previous Health Solutions articles are located at www. arabnews.com
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