Have you ever broken open a fresh coconut? Have you seen that opaque, almost clear liquid inside the nut? Have you ever tasted its sweetness and felt its refreshing zing firsthand? If you haven't, you are missing out on one of nature's most refreshing, low-cal, high nutrient energy drinks!

The Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family). Since the seed is transported through water, coconut palms are often found in tropical areas, especially fringing the beaches, of the earth. In some places, it grows wild, but in most tropical areas, it is grown by farmers. The seed is small when it first appears on the large flower of the palm, gaining in size and fleshiness as it grows into the tough nut we know. While most people are quite aware of the fully grown nut, not many are privy to the secrets of the tender coconut.

When the coconut is young (within 5-9 months), the flesh inside is thin and filmy. Water makes up more than 80% of the contents of this tender nut. This water is filled with nutrients and it is this water that later goes on to become the tough white flesh we see in the mature nut.

Thus, one of the most important parts of the coconut palm is the coconut water. As far as humans are concerned, coconut water is a healthy, natural energy drink. The thin, opaque almost clear coconut juice or water of a tender coconut has a slightly almond flavor. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the coconut milk, though it may appear translucent. This liquid inside the fruit is the coconut water of the tender coconut and it is packed with many health benefits.

The coconut water is an isotonic beverage. Surprisingly, this water has the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. That's why people often refer to it as the fluid of life. In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas; this is because once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its nutrients and ferments. However, thanks to modern technology, we can now enjoy its benefits through commercially sold coconut water packs.

Coconut water is a great natural energy drink. It is used abundantly by sports people, athletes and keen exercisers. Here are the reasons why:

• It has the same amount of electrolytes as human blood. In fact it is a universal donor, identical to human plasma.
• It contains more potassium than most energy and sports drinks.
• It has less sodium than sports and energy drinks. Less sodium means less heart problems and less dehydration.
• It has natural sugars and flavors instead of processed sugars.
• Coconut water is much more nutritious than fresh milk.
• It has less fat than milk and it has no cholesterol.
• It is also healthier than orange juice. On a hot day, it can work wonders for cooling your system.
• It contains lauric acid which is also present in breast milk and is known to boost metabolism.
• It is naturally clean and untouched by outside elements.

So, the next time you feel the urge to quench your thirst, reach out for a tall, cool glass of coconut water; the natural energy drink!