I heard that many years ago, medics in the french millitary discovered that coconut water could be used as an emergency substitute for human blood-plasma... it sounds plainly rediculous to me but i cannot help but think that there may be a shred of truth in it...
2006-12-05 06:03:02 · 4 answers · asked by jademonkey 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
The word "blood-plasma substitute" is a bit of a misnomer. The water of tender young coconuts is both sterile and has isotonic properties, which allow it to be used as a suspension or volumizer for intravenous treatment. This works similarly to normal saline or Ringers/Hartmann's solution. While there have been examples of coconut water being used as medical treatment, it is very rare, as the other isotonic solutions are both more cost-effective and more readily available.
2006-12-05 07:45:39 · answer #1 · answered by Inkarnate 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
replacement for blood; they would take a tap into the coconut and a line directly into the vein. It is sterile inside the coconut and it actually is a blood volume expander; plasma is better, but if you are dying...
2006-12-05 08:03:25 · answer #2 · answered by kellenraid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, not sure. What about the protiens in it?
Hang on a sec, off for a google.
It appears on a lot of fora like this one, but not on any reputable sites. Still think it could be an urban myth. Why not just drink it?
2006-12-05 06:06:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It may have been tried, but the mortality would have been horrendous. Other battlefield transfusion experiments included using bllod from live sheep, with disastrous results.
2006-12-05 07:49:32 · answer #4 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋