This article contains findings obtained from research on animals:
- The results from animal research studies should not be directly applied to humans and the results may not generalise to the human population.
- There may be significant differences between species in terms of physiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as differences in the way diseases and treatments are modelled in animals.
- Any conclusions drawn from animal research should be considered with caution and in the context of other types of research studies such as observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews of the literature.
Insights & Discussion
Coconut water and milk demonstrate protective effects against ulceration, reducing inflammation, promoting cell proliferation and supporting mucosal homeostasis.
The study was conducted in two phases using 45 male wistar rats divided into 9 groups. The first phase involved treatment of five groups with different substances: normal saline, 95% ethanol, coconut water, coconut milk, and Omeprazole. Ulceration was induced with 95% ethanol except in the saline-control group. The second phase involved four groups: a control group, an ulcer control group receiving acetic acid, a group receiving coconut milk and another receiving Omeprazole. Drug treatments were administered twice daily for 3-6 days post-ulcer induction. Afterwards, blood was collected for haemocytometry and gastric tissues were harvested for histological examinations.
In this study, both coconut water and milk, as well as Omeprazole, led to reduced ulcer scores and gastric lesion indices compared to the ulcer control groups. They also resulted in significantly lower white blood cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts compared to the ulcer and overall control groups. Coconut milk, in particular, was associated with a significant reduction in C-reactive protein. The experimental treatments also led to reduced neutrophil infiltration and an increase in mucus cell density. Notably, the coconut milk group showed significantly higher expressions of EGFR and CD31, indicating catalysis of mucosa homeostasis through angiogenesis and mucosal cell proliferation.
Discover Related Insights
Coconut water and coconut milk ameliorate the negative impacts of heat stress on gastrointestinal health by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing inflammatory responses.
2022 Journal of Food Biochemistry Effect of coconut water and milk on heat stress‐induced gastrointestinal tract dysmotility in rats: Role of oxidative stress and inflammatory response Ajeigbe KO, Oladokun OO, Owonikoko MW, Adegoke GA
Experimental Study Coconut Milk Coconut Water Digestive Health
The study enlisted four different temperature exposure groups of rats, namely a control group at 30 degrees Celsius, a heat-stressed group exposed to an ambiance of 40 degrees, a heat-stressed group pre-treated with coconut water, and a heat-stressed group with coconut milk. Measurements such as skin and rectal temperatures, as well as evaluations of gastrointestinal motility factors such as intestinal transit, intestinal fluid accumulation, and colonic motility, were taken before and after a two-hour heat exposure over 14 days.
Noticeable increases in gastrointestinal motility factors were observed amongst the heat-stressed rats. However, the introduction of coconut milk and water appeared to reverse these increases. Furthermore, the elevated cortisol levels and intestinal lipid peroxidation in the heat-stressed rats were significantly reduced with the introduction of both coconut products. Likewise, results showed an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities in the rats that received either coconut water or milk, in contrast to the control group. Similarly, the coconut water and milk were seen to suppress inflammatory cytokines while enhancing others. The study also noted significant improvements in intestinal morphology among heat-stressed rats treated with either coconut product.
Coconut milk was more effective than coconut water for healing stomach ulcers.
—Jinnan C 28 Dec 2023