CHENNAI: It’s just the start of the summer season, and already the impact of the scorching sun is being felt everywhere albeit the overcast sky for the weekend. People make a scramble to buy tender coconuts to satiate their thirst. The price of tender coconuts, like the mercurial heat, is soaring. On an average a tender coconut costs Rs 60 in the city.
Though one may hope for some respite, the residents would have to brace themselves for hotter days when the Kathiri commences from May 4. Kathri (or ‘Agni’ Natchatiram) draws to a close on May 28. Summer is also the time when the season spews up maladies like chicken pox, malaria, conjunctivitis and various skin diseases. These ailments require us to exercise proper cautions.
“All junk food and carbonated drinks must be avoided and one should have intake of more fluids and natural drinks to beat the heat,” say experts. And as the tender coconut turn out to be the ideal natural drink, sellers make hay selling it for Rs 60 irrespective of the size of the coconut.
“Coconut water is the ultimate refreshing drink to have in the middle of a hot day. Intake of this rehydrates body and adds essential elements like calcium and potassium,” says Devi, a seller of Nungambakkam, whose family is involved in tender coconut business for 30 years now.
“It lowers body heat and improves digestion,” says a tender coconut seller, Pandikumar of Choolaimedu. “People bargain and even involve in a heated argument with us for the increase in price. Taking all the health benefits into consideration people should not neglect buying this,” he added.
Coconut water provides our body with a good dose of goodies that have the potential of doing wonders to our health. It is naturally a delicious drink that is devoid of preservatives and added sugars. Consume this desi energy drink to stay energised this summer, advise experts.
