International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health

The effects of Coconut water and Coconut milk on the total body weight, blood glucose level and the cyto- architecture of the pancreatic tissue were studied. A total of 30 albino wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=6). Group 1 –normal control was fed on normal rat chow, Group 2,3,4,5 were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal dose of 100mg/kg b.wt. of alloxan monohydrate. Group 2- diabetic, non treated, were fed on normal rat chow, Group 3, and 4 were fed on coconut water ad libitum for 14 and 28 days respectively, and Group 5 were fed on coconut milk ad libitum for 28 days. The result shows a statistically significant decrease in total body weight in Group 2, 3 and 4 and a non statistically significant increase in body weight in groups 1 and 5. Also there was a statistically significant decrease in blood glucose level in the group fed with coconut water. The pancreatic histology also shows a regenerative effect with administration of both coconut water and especially coconut milk on the degenerative changes caused by diabetes. This study has shown that coconut water has a hypoglycaemic effects and coconut milk has a regenerative effect on the pancreatic cells of alloxan induced diabetic rats. The findings in this research may be of benefit in the management of diabetic patients.