“Wow! That tastes great and so refreshing!” I told my mother-in-law, Lynn.  She had ordered me a young Thai coconut for lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant.  The Thai coconut tasted nothing like your store-bought canned coconut drinks.  This was a fresh coconut that the server had cracked for me. It’s like I was in Hawaii and a guy would climb up the coconut tree, chopped one down, peeled and cracked it for me.  I loved it!  She also said that it’s very nutritious for me and my baby.  I was pregnant with our first baby, Buddy, at the time.

So, what’s coconut water, you might ask?  Coconut water is the liquid inside the coconut fruit. It’s refreshing and naturally sweet, but not too sweet like fruit juices. The “meat” is what lines the inside of the fruit. It can be taken out and eaten as a healthy snack. Although we have not attempted to do this yet, you can make coconut milk from grinding up the coconut meat and mixing it with water. The young coconut meat is jellylike, but as the coconut matures, the meat hardens. Our kids prefer the harder and nuttier taste of coconut meat rather than the younger, jellylike version. On a side note, recently our friend, Jadda, gave Bubba a challenge to come up with fresh, unprocessed coconut milk for her Thai curry. That means more fun experiments for us to do!

Although I am not a doctor or a nutritionist, the research that I had done all points to the fact that coconut water is a nutritional powerhouse.  It has so much good stuff in it that it’s hard for me to summarize in one short post.  I’ll name a few, and then refer you to some helpful articles that I’ve found.

1. It rehydrates your body. My pediatrician once told me that back in the islands (he’s from Jamaica) because of its rehydrating properties, coconut water was used to treat diarrhea.
2. Naturally rich in vitamins and minerals.
3. Contains anti-aging properties.
4. Protects against cancer.
5. Provides immune-supporting properties.
6.  Enhances eye and skin health.

All in all, you have to try one if you have not done so.  You can purchase them from Whole Foods, New Seasons Market, or your local Asian markets.  If you need help in cracking one, my hubby, Bubba, has created a YouTube video on how to crack one in four easy steps.  The video is also located on the right sidebar. I do have to say that this drink has become one of our favorites with the kids and the best part is that it satisfies their sweet cravings.

To learn more about coconuts and its health benefits click the links below.

mercola.com

Coconut Research Center

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this blog is a combination of my experiences and research I have done. It’s not meant to substitute your doctor’s advice. If you have a medical condition, please consult your doctor.