How to Drink a Coconut and Why You Should
Channel: BabyScientists
Date: 2012-10-24

We moved to Costa Rica 1.5 months ago!  Check out the full blog post at our new website:  http://lostandfoundfamily.com/how-to-drink-a-coconut

Baby Scientists, Zack and Austin, cut open some coconuts and learn about how to drink a coconut and why they should.  

Some interesting coconut facts:
*Coconut water is the liquid found inside a coconut. Coconut milk is made by boiling the white coconut "meat" with water and straining it. Boil this down further and you getcoconut cream.
*A coconut takes 11-12 months to mature on a tree.
*Coconuts grow as far north as Hawaii, and as far south as Madagascar.
*Every bit of the coconut is used. As a result, coconuts are called the "Tree of Life" and can produce drink, fiber, food, fuel, utensils, musical instruments, insect repellant, and more.
*When intra-venous (IV) solution was in short supply, doctors during World War II and Vietnam used coconut water in substitution of IV solutions.
*Botanically, the coconut palm is not a tree since there is no bark, no branches, or secondary growth. A coconut palm is a woody perennial monocotyledon with the trunk being the stem.
*There are over 80 varieties of coconut palms.
*The tallest coconut trees measure about 100 feet.

Nutritional Facts:
*1 cup of coconut water has twice the potassium of a banana, and half the calories (45 calories)
*Potassium is essential for healthy heart, kidney, and muscle function.  Sweating depletes potassium levels.  Super convient, then, that coconuts grow in hot, tropical climates.  *Nature, once again, teaching us just what we need.
*Good source of sodium, which is necessary for muscle contraction, and enzyme operation.
*Good source of calcium and manganese, which promote bone development, growth, and strength.
*Good source of chloride, which partners with sodium and potassium to control cellular fluids.
*Good source of phosphorus, which benefits protein formation, hormonal balances, and digestion
*Rich in Vitamin C, which boosts immunity.
*Source of iron, which carries oxygen to human blood cells.
*Source of Vitamin A, which is necessary for retinal health.
*Source of B vitamins, which enhance metabolism and support energy production.

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