(7 May 2013, 17:11)Jonas Wrote: A "cup" = 8 oz. 8 cups = 64 oz or 2 quarts or 1/2 gallon. For an active person in a hot climate, or even in a moderate climate in the summer with temperatures in the 80F range, that is not enough water intake to avoid dehydration.
Coconut milk is a strong laxative. Diarrhea causes dehydration. The major cause of death by dysentery (a disease that causes uncontrolled diarrhea) is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Drinking too much coconut milk will cause diarrhea. There are documented cases of people marooned on Pacific islands dying of dehydration in situations where an unlimited supply of coconut milk was their only available potable liquid.
I've treated many heat exhaustion and heat stroke victims, usually with 500ml Lactated Ringers, IV. They all lived (though one spent considerable time in the hospital).
Scythe13, people following your anecdotal advice on water intake and coconut milk have a fair chance of killing themselves.
Hi Jonas, I'm stunned at your response. As for being active in the day, I suggested quite the opposite. Do as the Mexicans do, I think I said. Relax in the day heat, and work in the cool of the morning and evening. So, although your calculations on water intake for an active person are correct, they're not in fitting with my suggestions, but they're still a very valid point!
To be fair, I was more stunned by the response to coconut milk/water. My personal experience is totally the opposite of what you're saying, after living 5 weeks on a desert island on my 21st Birthday, chomping on loads of coconut and drinking about 2 coconuts worth of juice a day. So I thought, maybe I'm getting something wrong. Is my body abnormal in how it reacts to coconut liquid (probably not, as medical science is a pretty standard thing, and applies to me, so I can't be that special)? Is my memory failing? I should do some research on this! So I did.
This is what I've found:
http://bodyecology.com/articles/best-spo...Yo-eaWUrZs
"The surprising truth is that coconut water is the best choice when it comes to choosing a drink that will rehydrate you!"
This next article I found after conflicting terms (coconut milk and water) did make a differentiation from coconut water and coconut milk! We all learn something new hu?
http://phenomwater.com/whats-the-better-...er-or-milk
"If you’re looking to rehydrate after a workout or day in the sun, coconut water is the better drink for you. Coconut water will revitalize and re-energize your body by replenishing valuable electrolytes lost through sweating."
This is what I found as to the laxative effect:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/369303...nut-water/
"As a diuretic, coconut water may have a laxative effect and can be used as a natural stool softener and treatment for constipation"
Also
"Coconut water contains electrolytes, which rehydrate your body after exercise just as well as sports drinks, but without the sugar or artificial chemicals. Coconut water is high in potassium, phospherous, calcium, magnesium and sodium, and it may prevent hypoatremia -- an electrolyte imbalance that occurs when your salt level is too low."
Which says to me, that an excess will act as a mild laxative, not the strong laxative you suggested. This confused me, as I am not one to call answers, but one to research.....so I did.
http://www.wisegeek.org/how-effective-is...xative.htm
"The use of coconut as a laxative is not common or highly effective. This fruit can be used to rehydrate the body, cleanse the gastrointestinal tract of harmful bacteria and parasites, and improve the functioning of the metabolism. Too much coconut water can cause watery bowel movements in some individuals, though not for everyone. When this occurs, doctors typically recommend that those users decrease their consumption until bowel movements return to normal."
This seemed interesting, but was about coconut, and not the water. So research continued.
http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health+hea...+your,7301
http://karma-free-cooking.com/2008/10/17...der-drink/
"Coconut water also has a laxative effect when drank in larger quantities. I use coconut water to cleanse my digestive system to get ready for our yoga retreats. For these laxative properties to take effect you need to drink a ½ gallon of fresh coconut water"
1/2 a gallon!!! Near enough 2 litres of coconut water to become laxative!!! DAMN, that's a lot of juice. The earlier articles I've quoted say tolerance increases over time.
As for the stuff about people dehydrating op Pacific islands, best I've found is that they can't get to the coconut water. Nothing about them dehydrating as a result of drinking the coconut water.
If you have other sources that are better researched, please feel free to post. When I'm wrong, I'm the first to put my hands up and say so. Last thing I want to do is endanger people!
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