The Truth About Coconut Water

To begin with, let's start with the relatively unknown fact that coconut water was used in WW2 as a replacement for blood plasma when supplies ran low. In Vietnam both sides of the war used the coconut water as a plasma substitute. The electrolyte content of the water is close enough to plasma to make it an acceptable medical practice to use it in field conditions. When a large battle was expected, both sides stocked up on the coconuts to use for the plasma replacement, and many lives were saved because of its use.

Even today in some third world countries it is still a common practice to use the coconut water instead of plasma. In some areas it is actually a standard procedure to use this water instead of even looking for plasma. This substance has been in use for a long time, and still is today.

The water of the young coconut is so pure that only regular water is cleaner, and it is 99% fat free. The nutritional content includes electrolytes, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The water is also isotonic, so it replaces body fluids lost to physical stress or injury. Some hardcore athletes use the water to re-hydrate during and after their events. Folks native to the tropics have known for generations that the water of a young coconut is an excellent cure for dehydration and other ailments.

The Chicago Blackhawks also use this water in their training regimen. Even Gatorade has realized the value of coconut water and use it in many of their drinks. So when you watch all those NFL players drinking their Gatorade during a game there is a good chance coconut water is involved. Several thousand professional football players use these sports drinks on a regular basis, and pure coconut water has 15 times more electrolytes than most of these drinks. Now you can understand the added benefits of skipping the sports drinks and going right to a better source.

Here are a few of the many uses and benefits for which coconut water is used. Keep in mind that these uses have been proved successful. If the water can be injected directly into your veins with good results, then it stands to reason that the human body will accept and put this water to good use.

Dehydration
Hangovers
Skin lotion
Suntan oils
Kills intestinal worms
Vomit Control
Kills skin based bacteria
Helps break down kidney stones
Raises metabolism to promote weight loss
Boosts your immune system
Helps fight viruses
Aids in poor circulation
Keeps your digestive tract clean
Helps control diabetes
Contains monolaurin, which helps fight HIV, herpes and flu viruses
Insect bite relief

There are several different brands of this water available on the market, most of which are labeled 100% pure. I always have a container in the fridge, and I buy mine at the local Krogers or Meijers grocery store. These products can be purchased at most major grocery chains in the health food section. They also can be found at your local health food outlets and some vitamin stores.

Coconut oil (not to be confused with coconut water) also has many uses and benefits. This Livestrong.com article is an excellent source of information on the uses of the oil instead of the water. It lists all the pros and cons of using the oil for cooking and such. A lot of other questions concerning the use of oil are answered as well.

Happy experimenting, and thanks for reading.