Coconut water (alsococonut juice) is the clear liquid inside youngcoconuts (fruits of the coconut palm). In early development, it serves as a suspension for theendosperm of the coconut during thenuclear phase of development. As development continues, the endosperm matures into itscellular phase and deposits into therind of the coconutpulp.[1] The liquid inside young coconuts is sometimes preferred to the liquid of a ripened coconut. Coconut water from young green coconuts is also known specifically asbuko juice inPhilippine English.[2]
Fresh coconuts are typically harvested from the tree while they are green. A hole may be bored into the coconut to provide access to the "meat" (liquid and pulp). In young coconuts, the liquid and air may be under some pressure and may spray slightly when the innerhusk is first penetrated. Coconuts that have fallen to the ground are susceptible to rot and damage from insects or other animals.
Plain coconut water has long been a popular drink intropical countries, where it is available fresh, canned, or bottled.
Coconuts for drinking are served chilled, fresh, or packaged. They are often sold bystreet vendors who cut them open withmachetes or similar implements in front of customers. Coconut water for retail can be found in ordinaryaluminum cans,Tetra Paks,glass bottles orplastic bottles, sometimes with coconut pulp orcoconut jelly included.
Coconut water can befermented to producecoconut vinegar (though coconut sap is used more often). It is also used to makenata de coco, a jelly-like food.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 79 kJ (19 kcal) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.71 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugars | 2.61 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dietary fiber | 1.1 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.20 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturated | 0.176 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monounsaturated | 0.008 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polyunsaturated | 0.002 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.72 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tryptophan | 0.008 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Threonine | 0.026 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Isoleucine | 0.028 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leucine | 0.053 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lysine | 0.032 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Methionine | 0.013 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cystine | 0.014 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phenylalanine | 0.037 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tyrosine | 0.022 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Valine | 0.044 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arginine | 0.118 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Histidine | 0.017 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alanine | 0.037 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aspartic acid | 0.070 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glutamic acid | 0.165 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glycine | 0.034 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proline | 0.030 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serine | 0.037 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other constituents | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water | 95 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated usingUS recommendations for adults,[3] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation fromthe National Academies.[4] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Providing 79 kilojoules (19 kilocalories) offood energy in a 100-millilitre (3+1⁄2-US-fluid-ounce) amount, coconut water is 95% water and 4%carbohydrates, with negligibleprotein andfat content (table). Coconut water contains small amounts ofvitamins anddietary minerals, all under 10% of theDaily Value (DV).
TheFood and Drug Administration has identified a risk of bacterial contamination in coconut water sold as "raw".[5]
Anecdotal sources describe coconut water being used in thesouthern part of India forsenicide, the killing of elderly people, a procedure known asthalaikoothal.[6] In this custom, the elderly person is made to drink an excessive amount of coconut water, eventually resulting in fever and death, the exact causes of which have not been determined.[6]
Marketing claims attributing health benefits to coconut water are disallowed by certain regulatory agencies like theUnited StatesFood and Drug Administration. They warn producers that making misleading marketing claims (such as coconut water isantiviral, can lowercholesterol, can regulateblood glucose levels, and otherfalse claims) are inappropriate for the product.[7][8]
Some companies have facedclass-action lawsuits over false advertising claims that the product is "super-hydrating", "nutrient-packed", and "mega-electrolyte".[9] Theplaintiffs also alleged that one company,Vita Coco, falsely claimed that its product had "15 times the electrolytes found in sports drinks" and misrepresented the levels of sodium and magnesium as advertised. The company denied any wrongdoing andsettled the lawsuit for US$10 million in April 2012.[9]
Although substituting coconut water for saline is not recommended by physicians today, it was a common practice during theKhmer Rouge regime inCambodia from 1975 to 1979.[10][11] TheDocumentation Center of Cambodia cited the practice of allowing untrainednurses to administer green coconut water during thePol Pot regime as acrime against humanity.[12]
Media related toCoconut water at Wikimedia Commons
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