Drinking three glasses of coconut water every day to beat the heat has proved costly for cardiac patients in the city whose potassium levels have increased dangerously to 7 — 10 mmol/L. More than 20 such cases have been recorded in city hospitals over the last fortnight with patient’s coming within near heart attack conditions, needing to be aggressively treated.
Later it was revealed there had been episodes of dehydration, diarrhoea and heat fatigue and to recover from the same, the patients had drunk only coconut water to balance electrolyte levels.
Senior cardiologist Dr Sashi Kanth at Yashoda Hospitals said, “One glass of coconut water is good for health. But what these patients have done after an episode of dehydration, diarrhoea and heat fatigue is to rely only on coconut water for recovery. They drink coconut water every two hours, which in turn increased potassium levels in blood. People must remember they have to eat light and opt for other sources like butter milk and fruits.”
Two patients drank only coconut water for three days at a stretch after a severe episode of diarrhoea and they came close to heart failure conditions. The re-occurrence of these cases has put cardiologists on alert and they are advising patients not to depend only on one type of food or fruit to beat the heat. Coconut has 250 mg of potassium per 100 gram and is a very good natural drink. But to rely on it as only source of nutrients for the body is harmful.
Dr Rahul Agrwal, senior consultant physician at Maxcure Hospitals said, “Extra potassium in the blood leads to kidney injury as it has to work hard to maintain proper levels in the blood. If the levels rise there is too much stress and it can also lead to chronic kidney disease apart from damaging the heart.”
Experts are advising people to eat more fruits with a high water content and also salads, which will help maintain the body’s electrolyte balance.
