Coconut water is a workable short-term substitute for human blood plasma and was positively tested as emergency intravenous fluid as far back as the ’50s. There’s been at least one documented case where a coconut IV was used in the Solomon Islands to treat a severely dehydrated patient.

Gas mask manufacturers in the US developed the use of steam-activated coconut char—obtained by burning coconut husks—as an important component in gas mask production. They found that masks using coconut carbon were superior at filtering noxious substances.

Even now, coconut-fired carbon is still an important ingredient in cleaning up radiation and was heavily used in the cleanup project at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

In tropical countries like Sumatra, farmers train monkeys to harvest their coconuts. Most farmers control the beasts with a long leash, but some monkeys are so well-trained they respond to their owner’s voice. These animals are in such high demand that they can fetch quite the penny.

Not only is the coconut good eating, it’s also an excellent building material. At least, that’s what former President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos thought when he commissioned the Coconut Palace.

Seeking to impress Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Philippines, Marcos ordered the opulent structure built for the whopping sum of 37 million pesos ($10 million). Seventy percent of this two-story structure is built from coconut lumber. Other assorted components of the coconut tree and fruit are also incorporated into the decor and architecture.

Gifted artists can create beauty out of anything, and the coconut is no exception. It’s been used as a medium for sculptures both crude and intricate, involving great levels of detail and skill. The smooth, unbroken coconut shell also makes a great canvas for festive paintings.

Coconuts are also an integral part of some tropical folk dances and cultural performances. Take the maglalatik, for instance, which is a dance indigenous to the Philippines. It employs coconut shell halves strapped to various parts of a male performer’s body and used as makeshift drums.

Coconuts are good fuel for the body, but did you know that it’s also a planet-friendly fuel for machinery? Bio-diesel has been making the rounds as a fossil fuel alternative, and coconut trees happen to be one of the plants that can produce oil in workable quantities. Not only that, but coconuts can perform multiple roles: as a base substance, an additive, or a direct substitute for petroleum diesel.

There are more than 1,300 kinds of coconut, and they can be separated into two main genetic origins: the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. By examining the coconuts’ genetic ancestry, evolutionary biologist Kenneth Olsen and his team have been able to trace the trade routes and migratory paths of ancient human civilizations—all the way to fairly recent times.

In the Philippines, sap from an unopened coconut flower is distilled into a potent drink called lambanog. It’s powerful stuff (easily 80 to 90 proof) but is organic and chemical-free. Lambanog is traditionally homemade, but some commercial distilleries have introduced several flavors into the market, such as mango, bubblegum, and blueberry.

When we think “coconut armor,” the first image that comes to mind is probably a hollowed-out coconut husk used as a makeshift helmet. But craftsmen in the small Micronesian archipelago of Kiribati were far more clever than that.

Their coconut suit was made out of densely woven coconut fiber matting—kind of like wearing really thick carpet. The armor consisted of a cap, body armor, back plate, leggings, and jerkin (a close-fitting jacket). A high collar in the back protected the warrior from stones thrown from his own side, a primitive form of artillery support.

By now, you should realize that coconuts are quite the popular fruit. In fact, they’ve been the inspiration for quite a few music sensations. One such song is “Coconut” by Harry Nilsson, a quirky and charming song that popped up in the early 70’s and quickly became a Billboard hit. After its reign on the airwaves, the song made repeated appearances in movies (Reservoir Dogs,Confessions of A Shopaholic), television (The Simpsons, House, Doogie Howser, M.D.), and videogames (Alan Wake).

Coconut water typically comes from young coconuts about 6–7 months of age, although it’s also found in mature fruit.

An average green coconut provides about 0.5-1 cups of coconut water.

One cup (240 grams) contains 46 calories,:

• Carbs: 9 grams.

• Fiber: 3 grams.

• Protein: 2 grams.

• Vitamin C: 10 percent of the RDI.

• Magnesium: 15 percent of the RDI.

• Manganese: 17 percent of the RDI.

• Potassium: 17 percent of the RDI.

• Sodium: 11 percent of the RDI.

• Calcium: 6 percent of the RDI.

Bottom Line: Coconut water is found in young coconuts and is a good source of fiber, vitamin C and several important minerals.

Research on animals exposed to toxins has shown that coconut water contains antioxidants, modifying free radicals so they no longer cause harm.

One study found that rats with liver damage showed significant improvement in oxidative stress when they were treated with coconut water, compared to rats that received no treatment.

In another study, rats were fed a high-fructose diet and then treated with coconut water. Free radical activity decreased, as well as blood pressure, triglycerides and insulin levels.

So far, no studies have investigated this antioxidant activity in humans.

Bottom Line: Coconut water contains antioxidants that protect cells from damaging free radicals

Another study found that providing the water to rats with diabetes led to improvements in blood sugar levels and reductions in markers of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde (MDA).

However, controlled studies need to confirm these effects in humans.

Nevertheless, with three grams of fiber and a digestible carbs content of only six grams per cup, coconut water can easily fit into a diabetic meal plan.

In addition, it is a good source of magnesium, which has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Bottom Line: Studies on diabetic animals suggest that it may improve blood sugar control. It’s also a good source of magnesium, which may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.

Drinking enough fluids is important for kidney stone prevention.

Although plain water is a great choice, one study suggests that coconut water may be even better.

Kidney stones form when calcium, oxalate and other compounds combine to form crystals in the urine.

These can then form stones. However, some people are more susceptible to developing these stones than others.

The researchers believe that it helped reduce free radical production that occurred in response to high oxalate levels in urine.

However, this is the first study that has investigated coconut water’s effects on kidney stones and more research is needed in this area.

Bottom Line: Early animal research suggests that water from coconuts may potentially prevent kidney stones by reducing crystal and stone formation.

Drinking coconut water may be helpful to reduce heart disease risk.

After 45 days, the coconut water group had a reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride levels that rivaled the effects of a stating drug used to lower cholesterol.

However, it’s important to note that this was a very large dose. In human terms, it would be equivalent to a 150 lb (68 kg) person consuming 91 oz (2.7 liters) of coconut water per day.

Nevertheless, the finding that it reduced cholesterol as effectively as a stating drug is very impressive and should be further investigated.

Bottom Line: Animal studies suggest that coconut water may have powerful cholesterol-lowering properties.

It may be also be a great beverage for keeping blood pressure under control.

One small study gave coconut water to people with high blood pressure. 71 percent experienced significant improvements to systolic blood pressure, which is the higher number of a blood pressure reading.

Additionally, it contains an impressive 600 mg of potassium in 8 oz (240 ml). Potassium has been shown to lower blood pressure in people with high or normal blood pressure.

What’s more, one animal study found that coconut water has anti-thrombotic activity, which means it should help prevent the formation of blood clots.

Bottom Line: Coconut water may help lower blood pressure and potentially decrease the risk of blood clots forming in the arteries.

Coconut water may be the perfect beverage for restoring hydration and replenishing electrolytes lost during exercise.

Electrolytes are minerals that play several important roles in the body, including maintaining proper fluid balance.

They include potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium.

Two studies found that coconut water restored hydration after exercise better than water and equal to high-electrolyte sports beverages.

The participants also said it caused less nausea and stomach discomfort.

However, another study comparing high-electrolyte beverages found that coconut water tended to cause the most bloating and stomach upset.

Bottom Line: Coconut water is effective at replenishing fluids and electrolytes after exercise. It is comparable to other sports beverages.