Scientific Name: Cocos nucifera
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Coconut water (Cocos nucifera) is the clear (sometimes cloudy) liquid found in the center of a fully ripe coconut. As a coconut matures, taking around 10 to 12 months, it forms a solid white flesh known as coconut meat. The remaining liquid that does not become coconut meat is called coconut water. Coconut water is naturally refreshing. It has a sweet, nutty taste. It also contains digestible carbohydrates and electrolytes.
Coconut water contains high amounts of potassium (7% daily value [DV]), which helps regulate fluid balance in the body. Maintaining the optimal balance of fluid is vital for health. Poor fluid balance can result in dehydration, which can negatively impact the heart and kidneys. Coconut water also has moderate amounts of riboflavin (4% DV). This vitamin helps the body turn carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into energy.
The manganese (7% DV) in coconut water is an important antioxidant involved in metabolic processes crucial for bone and brain health. Coconut water also contains magnesium (6% DV), which plays a critical role in nerve and muscle function. Low levels of this mineral is linked to an increase in muscle spasms. Consumption of foods and beverages containing magnesium also leads to higher bone mineral density and helps maintain heart health.