Young green coconut which is called buko in Tagalog or butong in Cebuano is a fruit popular among health enthusiasts and to those who love the taste of its water and meat. It is mostly sold in makeshift stalls in areas that are frequented by people. Available coconuts are cut off portion of its husk for the insertion of a drinking straw. And with the fruit opened, the tender meat can be scooped off with an improvised husk spoon. Customers can select a whole unopened coconut, or with the water and the meat removed from the fruit and contained in a plastic cup, or with the coconut water mixed with the meat and other fruits in addition to sugar and ice.
Coconut water is appealing because it is refreshing, rehydrating and invigorating. It has already found its way in commercial markets and is available in cans, bottles and packages. But the fresh coconut water is still the best because it has not undergone any industrial processes where chemicals or preservatives may be added to prolong its shelf life. The fruits comes from a tropical palm tree that can grow even with no pesticide applications hence it is an all natural food.
Benefits of green coconut water:
Green coconut water is alkaline and is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, and helps detoxify the body by providing hydration antioxidants. It can also balance the ratio of good to bad bacteria in the body's digestive tract thus improving digestion and gut health.
It is suitable drink for diabetics because of its low sugar contents.
It has natural electrolytes in potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and is free of cholesterol and fat. Because it is rich in potassium it is good for the heart and for the regulation of blood pressure.
It is good for kidney and urinary bladder problems. Drinking coconut water 2 to 3 times a week may reduce the size of kidney stones in short period of time.
Compared to sport drink coconut water is low in calories and sugar and high in electrolytes making it suitable for drink after exercise. In addition it is free of preservatives that sport drinks may have.
The meat of green coconut is delicious and nutritious too. It is rich in potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and calcium and also contains fiber, protein, Vitamin C and without cholesterol. It is an ingredient in dessert foods relished by Filipinos such as buko pie, buko salad and halo-halo.
Like almost all foods green coconut water and meat should be consumed in moderation or with the guidance of health care professionals especially when a person has health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and other illnesses. Over consumption of coconut water may worsen the condition of a person with kidney problem and that in persons with heart problems it may lower their blood pressure too much.
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