Cocos nucifera Water: Alternative for Oral Rehydration Replacement Therapy

Abstract

Background: Cocos nucifera water is consumed worldwide for its nutritional and medicinal benefit. There is a dearth of information on the levels of micronutrients in Cocos nucifera water in Nigeria.

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating electrolyte levels in the Cocos nucifera water and also to assess its suitability as an oral electrolyte replacement solution.

Materials and Methods: A total of75 Cocos nucifera sourced from the inland parts of Southern Nigeria comprising six StatesLagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Imo, and Abia, with maturity greater than or equal to 12 months, were analyzed for electrolytes' composition. The degree of acidity, volume, and weight were also evaluated. Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, total calcium, ionized calcium and the degree of acidity (PH) were assayed by ion selective electrode while zinc was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method.

Results: The electrolyte levels varied considerably among the States. The mean concentrations of the electrolytes of Cocos nucifera water sourced from Imo State were significantly higher than other States, with sodium value of74.83 ± 9.35 mmol/l (f= 30.817. P = 0.000); potassium, 47.21 ± 2.21 mmol/l (f= 6.387,p = 0.000); bicarbonate, 5.38 ± 0.14 mmol/l (f= 46.798, P = 0.000); chloride, 70.78 ± 4.14 mmol/l (f= 9.701, p = 0.000); total calcium, 10.99 ± 1.43 mmol/l (f= 29.079, P = 0.000); and zinc, 1.1 ± 0.46 mg! I (f= 5.990, P = 0.000). A significant and positive relationship was observed between weight of Cocos nucifera and concentrations of ionized calcium (r = 0.580, P = 0.038), total calcium (r= 0.579, p = 0.038) and chloride (r= 0.757, p = 0.003) in Akwa Iban State, while a negative correlation was observed between weight of Cocos nucifera and potassium concentrations in Imo State (r = - 0.648, P = 0.023).

Conclusion: Cocos nucifera water contains concentration of electrolytes that are adequate to correct daily nutritional deficits. The weight of Cocos nuciferais related to the volume of the water but does not necessarily reflect higher electrolyte concentrations