The coconut seed contains a white, fleshy part which is edible and used fresh or dried in cooking. The cavity is filled with "coconut water" containing sugars, fibre, proteins, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. Young coconuts have more ‘water’ and soft, gel-like meat, and mature coconuts have firm meat and less ‘water.’ The coconut water provides an excellent isotonic electrolyte balance, and an exceptional nutritional food source, which is why it is used as a refreshing drink throughout the humid tropics