Tender Coconut Water: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Siddharth Gupta
Introduction:
Have you ever had the “fluid of life”? You might be wondering what “fluid of life” is.1 It is nothing but tender coconut water. In Philippines the coconut tree is also referred to as the “tree of life”. Now this might refresh your memory and take you on a trip down the memory lane; it’s probably a scene of a beach and a green coconut in your hand. Tender coconut water seems to be the perfect comrade for a summer beach trip. Not only is it refreshing, it might have many health benefits too!2
The coconut palm tree, also known as Cocos nucifera, is the most extensively grown palm tree over the world. It is mainly grown in tropical countries. Indonesia is the largest coconut producer in the world. 1,2
The clear delicious liquid found inside the coconut is known as coconut water. The water of a tender coconut is nothing but the endosperm of the coconut and it is one of the most nutritious beverages available to us. This nutritious water is what matures and forms the flesh of the coconut over time. Tender coconut water is the liquid and not the milk of the coconut. The water content of the coconut depends on its age and the variety of coconut, but an average tender coconut of five to seven months age contains around 500-750 mL of refreshing coconut water! Read on to find out more about the various potential health benefits of tender coconut water.1,2
Nutritional Value of Tender Coconut Water:
The nutrients present in tender coconut water are as follows:
| Nutrient | Percentage content |
| Sugars | 2.4 |
| Carbohydrates | 4.4 |
| Fibre | 0.4 |
| Calcium | 0.008 |
| Potassium | 0.184 |
| Sodium | 0.022 |
| Magnesium | 0.006 |
| Phosphorous | 0.008 |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 0.247 |
Table 1: Nutrient content of tender coconut water3
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Properties of Tender Coconut Water:
Tender coconut water might have the following properties:
- It might be rich in antioxidants
- It might help in lipid (fat) metabolism in the body
- It might help lower blood pressure
- It might help reduce inflammation (body’s reaction to external agents and wounds)
- It might be helpful for the heart (cardioprotective)
- It might help in improving the haemoglobin (a protein present in blood cells) levels in blood
- It might help lower the blood sugar level (antidiabetic activity)
- It might be effective against the formation of clots in the blood (antithrombotic activity)1
Also Read: Mango Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Siddharth Gupta
Potential Uses of Tender Coconut Water for Overall Health:
The young coconut flesh has a jelly like consistency, hence, is known as tender coconut. The tender coconut water is rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it might have the following potential uses for human health.1
1. Potential uses of tender coconut water for blood pressure
The results of several studies state that tender coconut water might have the potential to help lower the systolic pressure. In a study conducted by a Bhagya et al. it was seen that tender coconut water, when consumed regularly, might lower systolic blood pressure but not diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, there is a need for more studies to ascertain the effects of tender coconut water for human health. Conditions like blood pressure are serious and must be properly diagnosed and treated by a doctor. So, ensure that you follow your doctor’s advice.1
2. Potential uses of tender coconut water for blood cholesterol
Multiple studies have shown that tender coconut water might help lower lipid levels in the blood. This potential effect might be seen as a reduction of LDL (low density lipoproteins), triglycerides and HDL (high density lipoproteins). However, these effects were observed in animal models. More research on humans need to be conducted to understand their true benefits in human health.1
3. Potential uses of tender coconut water for pain and inflammation
In animal studies, it was seen that coconut water might have the potential to decrease inflammation (body’s reaction to external agents) and pain. This might be due to the presence of high amount of nutrients in coconut water. It is hypothesised that this activity of coconut water might be due to its potential action of interfering with the compound (prostaglandin) responsible for pain and inflammation. However, these activities need to be confirmed by more research.1
4. Potential uses of tender coconut water for stomach
Coconut water contains a lot of active vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It might have a potential to soothe the ailing stomach. It might be helpful for people suffering with diarrhoea and other stomach infections where there is loss of water and vital salts like sodium. Tender coconut water can help replenish these lost salts as well as hydrate. The presence of certain enzymes like polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase too might make it beneficial. There is a need for more scientific research to prove these claims.1
5. Potential uses of tender coconut water for oxidative stress
The results of the various studies conducted on animals indicate that tender coconut water might have a positive effect on the cells of the body and might help them against oxidative stress. It has been observed that on a molecular level, tender coconut water might have a potential to protect the mitochondria from damage from free radicals. This seems to be in tune with the findings of another study that states the possibility of tender coconut water helping improve the antioxidant status and reducing the oxidative stress in experimental mice. Therefore, it might help reduce the oxidative stress. However, more research is needed to prove these claims as concrete facts.1
6. Potential uses of tender coconut water for the heart
In an animal study, an experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of tender coconut water on heart attack (myocardial infarction). It was observed that tender coconut water in fact might have the potential to help against the changes that might lead to a heart attack. Other studies have also seen that tender coconut water might be involved in actions that help with betterment of heart health. These activities, however, are yet to be proved in humans. Moreover, heart conditions must be properly diagnosed and treated by a specialist doctor. Therefore, ensure to consult a qualified doctor and not treat yourself with coconut water alone.1
7. Other potential uses of tender coconut water
The other potential uses of tender coconut water for human health are as follows:
- It might be helpful for urinary tract infections
- It might act as a good oral rehydration drink
- It might help against chills
- It might be helpful against rashes caused by chicken pox, measles and from prickly heat
- It might have an action as a diuretic (helps formation and passing of urine)
- It might be helpful for kidney stones
- It might help in killing worms1
Though there are studies that show the potential uses of tender coconut water in various conditions, but these are insufficient and there is a need of further studies to establish the true extent of benefits of tender coconut water on human health.
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How to Use Tender Coconut Water?
Tender coconut water is a beverage and is best when consumed in the pure form. You might also find it in packaged forms on the market.
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Side Effects of Tender Coconut Water:
There is need for more research to observe side effects of tender coconut water.
Precautions to Take with Tender Coconut Water:
Tender coconut water should be avoided in the following conditions:
- In people with hyperkalaemia (increased potassium levels in blood)
- Renal (kidney) failure
- Acute adrenal gland insufficiency
- In people whose urine output has reduced
- Viper bite, as the blood potassium levels are increased2
Drinking green coconut water was considered as a taboo in some parts of India as it was said to cause opacity in eyes.4 However, such effects have not been scientifically verified. Therefore, it is advised that you consult a doctor about drinking tender coconut water during pregnancy. Special care and a doctor’s advice should be followed before giving tender coconut water to children as well.
Interactions with Other Drugs:
There is a lack of sufficient data regarding the interaction of tender coconut water with any other drugs. Therefore, consult a doctor before taking it, especially if you are on medication and/or are receiving treatment for any condition.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What are the benefits of tender coconut water?
Tender coconut water might be good for health as it might have blood pressure lowering, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, rehydrating, gastroprotective activities, etc. However, more research is required to prove these potential uses of tender coconut water.1
2) Is tender coconut water good for skin?
Tender coconut water might be good for skin, but there is inadequate evidence stating of such effects. It might be helpful against rashes caused by chicken pox, etc.1
3) Does tender coconut water benefit people with high blood pressure?
As seen in several studies, tender coconut water might help in lowering the systolic blood pressure but might not help lower the diastolic blood pressure. There is more research required to know the exact effects of tender coconut water on blood pressure. Moreover, a condition such as high blood pressure should be properly diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Therefore, do not self-medicate. Kindly consult a doctor.1
4) Is tender coconut water and coconut milk same?
No. Tender coconut water is the liquid endosperm of a young coconut. It is not the same as coconut milk.1
5) Is tender coconut water good for hair?
There are no reports regarding the potential effects of tender coconut water on hair. Therefore, more research is required.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
