Coconut Water?

When Coconuts are here, Can a Hospital be far behind?
GR Sridhar, Endocrine and Diabetes Centre, Visakhapatnam - 530002.
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Once upon a time, not long ago, coconuts were seen near gods and temples. The colour of buff, the rough texture of freshly peeled coconut belonged to godliness and piety. This changed gradually; unopened coconuts, tender and juicy began to be displayed near hospitals. Almost imperceptibly, the sight of people clutching a half coconut with a straw dipped into its water became universal near hospitals.

Upto a point, it made sense; coconuts were natural food, they were biodegradable, and they were far less expensive than bottled drinks. However, beyond a point even good things turn devilish. Coconuts were no exception. It was not long before empty coconut shells were strewn in the verandas, on the roads, in the waterways. Cows and buffaloes came to graze on them; sewers were clogged.

Hospitals and doctors naturally began to discourage this habit. Patients and their attendants were specifically prohibited from serving coconuts, if only to avoid strewing the surroundings. It was only a logical step for displays at hospital entrances, prohibiting smoking, noise and bringing coconuts inside.

What is the rationale for this phenomenon? Are coconuts the ambrosia in sickness, as they seem to be made out ? What is the nutritive value ? Conversely, are sick and convalescing patients being denied the juice of health by unsympathetic administrators ?

The question arises, what does coconut water contain? Obviously water, lots of it, glucose and salts. Curious to study what coconut water gives, its content was analysed in the laboratory and the results published recently. There were some surprising conclusions. Mostly what coconut water contains is well, water. There is little of energy or calories. A teaspoonful of sugar gives all the calories in a coconut full of water. Even the salts of sodium and potassium are hardly anything to harp upon. In fact, other fruits such as guava, lemon and orange contain a lot more of these salts than the coconut.

So the next time you are denied permission to give coconut water to your dear ones in hospital, do not despair. Take two glasses of water, add a teaspoonful of sugar and juice from a couple of lemons. This concoction gives all the goodness of coconut water, with a lot less pollution. Of course you may serve it with all the care and affection, just as you would the tender coconut water.

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