The first major scientific studies of the water of the coconut were reported by Pradera and coworker in 1942. His determination of protein, amino acid and chemical constituents compared favorably with those of cow's milk. Previous studies had established a high nutritive value for the endosperm. Pradera identified 12 essential amino acids (including cystine, methonine, valine, leucine, histidine). Latest investigation reported coconut water as being a good source of vitamin B1 & B2. Its specific gravity & PH closely approximate that of blood plasma. There is agreement in most available reports that the young green coconut, approximately seven months of age, contains an optimal number of nutrients,
especially sucrose and fructose.

The natural vitamins and amino acids along with a content of 5% sugar have suggested the value of coconut water for pre-lacteal feeding, a use which is common in the tropics. It is hypnotic, making it particularly suitable for the immature kidney of the infant. The world Health organization encourages the use of an Oral Rehydration solution (ORS) for the treatment of infant diarrhea. In remote and isolated areas there is a problem of cooperation by the mothers who are unfamiliar with mixing chemicals with water (which water may itself as a practical inexpensive substitute, especially where neither transportation nor distribution is needed and little educational effort is required to afford successful therapy.

Image of Green Coconut

A recent study analyzing the chemical content of coconut water has found it to be somewhat low in sodium chloride and the suggestion was able that supplementing the water with an unsophisticated measure of "thumb and two finger pinch" of table salt was within the understanding of third world mothers.

There are numerous reports of its successful oral use in the rehydration of gastro-enteritis or diarrhea, nutritional edema, pellagra & post-operatively.

The high level of potassium in coconut water is a shortcoming to some investigators. Others express no concern & many stress coconut water's particular significance for oral use in the treatment of cholera patients where there is need of potassium enhancement of the diet.

INTRAVENOUS INFUSION:

Hermetically sealed, hypotonic, pyrogen-free and closely resembling blood plasma, its electrolyte composition having a qualitative resemblance to intracellular fluid. Coconut water has proven to be life-saving in many areas of the world where more sophisticated and conventional intravenous fluids were either too costly or not available. The fibrous outer husk of the coconut is removed and the smooth inner shell is insisted to insure its integrity. A slice is cut from the stem end, exposing three eyes. After the area is cleansed a sterile needle is inserted into one of the eyes to produce positive pressure, and a trocar (a surgical instrument used to drain off internal fluids) into a second eye from which the fluid can be drained. This can then be strained through a single layer of gauze in a funnel to screen out particular matter, into a transfusion bottle. This fluid is considered ready for use with no processing. Many reports speak of direct transfusion into the patient without the use of intervening filter of bottle.

Its successful intravenous use has been documented in typhoid fever, ascariasis, amoebic & bacillary dysentery, gastro-enteritis, infectious hepatitis, various dehydrations and post-operatively. In a recent study on 287 patients, the investigator established that coconut water would appear to be non-sensitizing and pyrogen-free. Smaller quantities seem to be needed than with other infusion media with which it is compared. In one reported incident of accidental subcutaneous seepage, no lasting ill effect or allergic reaction occurred. There are a number of other reports of successful intravenous use of coconut water, but diagnosis and/or numbers of patients are not specified. Several authors refer to the intravenous use of coconut water during World War II by the Japanese in Sumatra and by the British in Ceylon, but direct documentation is lacking.

The experience of several investigators reporting the intravenous use of coconut water would indicate that although it is high in potassium and magnesium and has an acid PH of 6.5 (normal blood PH 7.4), these levels are absorbed with no ill effect if kidney function is unimpaired and if administered "slowly". No hyperpotassemia is reported. Temporary marked increase in urinary output observed (with increase in excretion of chloride, magnesium, potassium and calcium) is credited for avoidance of reactions due to the relatively high content of potassium, as it neutralization of the potassium by the accompanied calcium and magnesium in coconut water may act as antagonists to the potential neuromuscular effects of the potassium. It has also been postulated that the high content of potassium may explain the beneficial effects in the intravenous treatment of gastro-enteritis and diarrhea.

While some investigators had limited themselves to a single infusion per patient for fear of sensitizing them to the protein, one researcher reported four transfusions given to the same patient over a period of ten days with no sign of allergic reaction. A comprehensive analysis of the composition of coconut water has been provided by an investigator who experiments utilizing rabbits were performed by two groups of investigators to determine potential allergy sensitivity before intravenously introducing a protein of vegetable origin into patients. Neither group saw evidence of a sensitivity reaction in any of the animals used.

Coconut water provides an excellent growth medium for the production of food yeast (Saccharomyces fragilis). Its potential as a rich culture medium is one of the reasons that it is necessary for medicinal purposes to use only those coconuts with intact shells, freshly opened. Within a few hours the water has been found to be heavily contaminated, and no method of preservation has been reported to be contamination-proof.