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Introduction:
King Coconut Water the most Promising Wonder Drink in the World
King Coconut Water is the liquid obtained from young nuts of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) when they are about six months old. It is the liquid endosperm which later hardens to form the flesh or meat of coconut.
As the coconut matures, the coconut water is gradually replaced by kernel, leaving little water. It is one of the most pure and nutritious wholesome beverages. The people in the coconut-growing tropical countries consume it as a popular beverage. The drinking of King Coconut Water has been a tradition in the Asian countries, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, Africa and the Caribbean.
In Sri Lanka King Coconut Water is a popular beverage, and King Coconut Water is preferred to other green and red varieties. King Coconuts are sold on the roadsides and beaches. Due to the natural freshness, it is a popular among the tourists. The King Coconuts are cut in front of the tourists to ensure freshness. The endosperm which is like a jelly at the immature stage could be mixed with water or eaten separately. In some countries coconut water is sold in cans, plastic bottles or tetra packs.
‘Fluid of Life’ King Coconut Water is becoming one of the most popular in the world beverage trade as it is pure and refreshing and highly nutritious compared to manufactured beverages. It is considered a health beverage as it has many benefits to maintain health of people. Due to its multiple health benefits, it is known as the ‘fluid of life’. King Coconut Water contains sugar, fiber, proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. On average young coconut water contain reducing sugars such as glucose and fructose (4.23%), total sugars (4.5%), nitrogen (0.0294%), phosphorus (0.021%), potassium (0.28%), calcium (0.034% ) and magnesium (0.091%). As the nut matures these constituents decrease, in particular the reducing sugars (1.43%) and total sugars (2.88%). Potassium accounts for more than half of the minerals in coconut water. King Coconut Water is also rich in minerals like copper and iron. There also trace elements like iodine, sulphur, manganese and selenium in coconut water. It is also rich in amino acids. The amino acid composition of protein in coconut water is appreciable: Alanine (2.41%), Arginine (10.75%), Aspartic acid (3.60%),Cystine (0.97-1.17%),Glutamic acid (9.76-14.5%), Histidine (1.95-2.05%), Leucine (1.95-4.18%),Lysine (1.95-4.57%),Proline (1.21-4.12%), Phenylalanine (1.23%), Serine (0.59-0.91%) and Tyrosine( 2.83-3.00%). The King Coconut Water is free of fats and cholesterol. There is no appreciable difference in chemical composition among commercial coconut varieties grown in Sri Lanka. The total sugar content in King Coconut Water is 5.8%, hence sweeter than the water of other coconut varieties. Due to its sweetness, King Coconut Water is preferred as a beverage than other varieties.
Natures Best Kept Secret - Host of Benefits
It is common to serve King Coconut Water to quench thirst, promote digestion and destroy intestinal worms. It relieves the intestines of harmful toxins. It also acts as a carminative and relieves gases present in the digestive tract. Monolaurin present in coconut water is antiviral and antibacterial; hence, it kills pathogens such as cytomegalovirus and herpes virus. It also helps to reduce vomiting in patients suffering from malaria and typhoid. King Coconut Water is an ideal drink to resolve kidney disorders. It is recommended to dissolve kidney stones and their easy passage from the urinary tract. Most patients with prescript ions from doctors combine them with coconut water. The plaques or crusts that form in the kidney are also dissolved and removed by coconut water. The patients who suffer from difficulty in urination (stranguria) and frequent urination, (polyuria) and other urinary ailments could get relief by drinking coconut water. King Coconut Water has the same electrolyte balance as blood plasma making it an excellent natural isotonic drink. It replaces the fluids and minerals such as potassium that the body loses during exercise; hence it is considered a sports drink. Coconut water contains more potassium than sports drinks and energy drinks. Sodium in coconut water is less (25mg) than that in sports drinks (117mg) and energy drinks (200mg); as salt is less, more will be required if you sweat very heavily during exercise. As the sugar content of the coconut water is low, it is safe for diabetic patients. Intake of coconut water also helps to control weight gain. It also reduces swelling of hands and legs and promotes absorption of drugs.
