How does water fill a coconut? Know the secret of this miracle of nature

 

How does water fill a coconut? Know the secret of this miracle of nature

Have you ever wondered where the water in a coconut comes from? How did this sweet, cool water get inside a coconut on a tree?

Fresh coconut water contains nutrients that not only quench thirst but also provide instant energy in summer.

Fresh coconuts are green in color and contain a lot of water. Whereas, ripe coconuts, which turn brown, have less water and more fat.

How is a coconut structured?

The coconut tree is also called the ‘tree of life’ because every part of the coconut tree is considered beneficial in some way.

Coconut trees are commonly found in tropical regions and countries around the world.

Before we can understand how the water inside the coconut shell is structured, we need to know its structure.

The sapwood (the outer part of the tree trunk or branch) has three layers called the exocarp, myocarp, and endocarp.

The exocarp is the outer layer of the fruit. It is green and soft. The fibrous part under the green layer is called the mesocarp. The endocarp is the inner layer. The endocarp protects the white pulp inside.

The endocarp has two parts. One is the pulp called the endosperm. This pulp, which is soft and jelly-like in fresh coconuts, hardens as the coconut ripens.

How does water get into a coconut?

According to a study by the US National Center for Biotechnology Information, the water in a coconut is a filtered liquid.

The study shows that water moves from the roots to the coconut through the tree's vascular system (the system that transports water and nutrients). Specifically, the xylem veins in trees play a key role in water transport.

A study explained the process of water formation inside the coconut shell.

The roots of a coconut tree extend about one to five meters deep into the ground. These roots absorb groundwater containing nutrients from the surrounding soil. This water then travels up its trunk and eventually reaches the coconut.

The endocarp structure of the coconut stores this water.

This nutrient-rich water forms a white cocoon (coconut) when it matures.

Coconut water is naturally produced in the tree.

Why is coconut water called sweet water?

The remaining five percent of the water contains nutrients that are beneficial to the body. Containing minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium and calcium, this water is beneficial for the nerves and muscles.

Proteins, such as amino acids and enzymes, help in digestion.

Fructose and glucose give the water a sweet taste. It also contains vitamin C and B vitamins.

How much water is in a coconut shell?

The quality and quantity of coconut water depends on many factors. The most important thing is the age of the coconut.

A fresh coconut is full of water. A coconut that is six to eight months old is considered a fresh coconut. They contain 300 ml to one liter of water.

Coconuts that are 12 months or older have less water. They have less water because of the endosperm because it absorbs it.

Rainfall also plays an important role in this. More rain means more water reaches the coconut. When coconut trees grow in dry areas, less water reaches the coconut, resulting in less water production within it.

If the soil is not rich in minerals or cannot transport nutrients from the roots to the fruit, the water quality will not be very good.

Sick trees produce small fruits and have very low water content.

By following sustainable farming practices, such as soil testing and using natural fertilizers, nutrients can be preserved in coconut trees, resulting in quality fresh water.