CLAIM
A viral social media message is claiming that hot coconut water is the solution you need to cure cancer. The message also offers a recipe saying that a mixture of coconut flakes and hot water releases an anti-cancer substance that rivals the latest medical advancements in cancer treatment.
True or False?
To determine the truth, FIT spoke to Senior Oncologist Dr Ramesh Sarin from Delhi’s Apollo Hospital.
There has been no research so far that says using this concoction of coconut slices and hot water will prove beneficial in tumor or cancer treatment. This is just a myth, many such messages on the social media that are not true go viral.Dr Ramesh Sarin
This claim has been proven false by a cancer expert, and any health forward received on social media must be verified by a medical professional.
Not a Magical Cure to Cancer, But Coconuts Do Carry Health Benefits
In an earlier FIT article, coconut oil was listed as one of the foods that provide protection from viruses, bacteria and infection and help in absorbing vital nutrients.
According to another FIT article, it is true that coconut water does have some health benefits like lowering cholesterol, boosting metabolism, improving kidney function and regulating blood pressure among others.
It is important to reiterate, however, that a healthy diet and foods like coconut can only help in building immunity and promoting a healthy lifestyle to a certain extent– just the foods themselves are not treatments for serious conditions like cancer and proper medical advice must be sought.
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