Coconut Water

This has been our "go to" drink ever since her second round of chemo. I love that it is like a pedia-lyte/gatorade type drink without the sugar and is all natural. It contains vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium and minute amounts of many other minerals and amino acids. I don't believe any man-made drink can compare. Some posters online have stated that by adding a pinch of sea salt to it make is a perfect electrolytic drink. I usually sweeten it a bit with an oz or 2 of muscadine juice to give it a resveratrol punch as well. There are some potential anti-cancer components of coconut water called cytokinins and kinetins that I recently discovered. It is versatile, we mixed it with formula and used it alone, but always with a little of the muscadine juice.

Research:

Antiulcerogenic effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera) extract in rats.
Study demonstrated cyto-protective (cell protective) effects of coconut water and coconut milk. Coconut water was nearly as effective as a drug and coconut milk just as effective.
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/coconut-water-and-coconut-milk-have-antiulcerogenic-activity

 

...The same kinetin that retarded ageing in plants and fruit flies, when added to the human fibroblasts in culture, also remarkably retarded the ageing of the skin cells. They stayed young looking and acted like young fibroblast cells in terms of their growth rate, size, and molecular activity....Can kinetin reverse the ageing of our skin? Yes.*....the results of these (current) studies, once published, can perhaps pave the way for a better understanding of this very promising product-not just for the cosmetic appearance of our skin but also for the potent antioxidant and age-retarding effects on other cell systems of the body.....

 http://www.cocotap.com/nutrition.htm

Hawaiians call coconut water noelani (no-way lah-nee), which means “dew from the heavens.” Coconut water has a long history of use as both a food and as a medicine. Coconut water contains a variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, growth factors, and other phytonutrients. Since coconuts are grown near the sea, the roots have access to a continual supply of mineral rich salt water. These minerals are absorbed by the roots and find their way into the fruit of the coconut. For this reason, coconut water is a good source of the major minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It is particularly rich in potassium, an essential nutrient; one 8-ounce cup of coconut water has more potassium than a banana. It also contains a variety of trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iodine, sulfur, manganese, boron, molybdenum, and others. All derived from volcanic soils and seawater from which the coconut palms are grown. All of these minerals are in the form of electrolytes so they are easily absorbable by the human body. Many of the health benefits attributed to coconut water can be traced to its mineral content. The fat content of coconut water is so low it is essentially fat-free. Coconut water is relatively low in sugar compared to other fruit juices. It contains only a fifth of the sugar that you get from an equal amount of fresh grape or apple juice. Even though it is low in sugar, it has a mildly sweet, delightful taste, making it an excellent alternative to fruit juice and sodas. In regulating cell growth, cytokinins also prevent mistakes that may lead to the development of cancer. Normal cells are kept healthy while cancerous cells are programmed to die, preventing them from growing and spreading. Much of the early research on cytokinins was funded by The American Cancer Society. Soon after the discovery of cytokinins in the 1950s researchers quickly recognized their potential in fighting cancer. Subsequently, the anti-cancer effects of cytokinins have been well documented.5-6
1. Macalalag, E.V. and Macalalag, A.L. Bukolysis: young coconut water renoclysis for urinary stone dissolution. Int Surg 1987;72:247.
2. Alleyne, T., et al. The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks. West Indian Med J 2005;54:3-8.
3. Shah, N.J., et al. Use of coco-nut water in treatment of congestive cardiac failure. Ind Jour Med Res 1956;44:341-351.
4. Rattan, S.I.S. and Clark, B.F.C. Kinetin delays the onset of ageing characteristics in human fibroblasts. Biochem Biophys Res 1994;201:665-672.
5. Adair, W.L. and Brennan, S.L. The role of N-6-isopentenyl adenine in tumor cell growth. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1986;137:208-214.
6. Dolezal, K, et al. Preparation and biological activity of 6-benzylaminopurine derivatives in plants and human cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem 2006;14:875-874.

Sources:

We usually purchase our coconut water at Whole Foods. There seems to be one near most major hospitals. They have some larger cartons that are re-closeable although often hard to find and sometimes we just buy a case of the small packs. Here are some links to brands.

http://vitacoco.com/vita-coco-all-natural-coconut-water-benefits/

http://zico.com/products/benefits

http://www.harvest-bay.com/coconut_water_FAQs.aspx