Hyderabad: In the summer time, coconut water is always a hot favourite. No wonder then that there’s been a massive rise in the number of vendors selling coconut water in bottles across the city.

Coconut water is a great way to keep the body hydrated, but experts warn that it should not be stored in bottles for more than two to three hours.

Dr J. Anil Kumar, a general physician, said, “Any sweet item kept outside without refrigeration tends to get spoiled. In the case of coconut water, the taste changes if not consumed within 2-3 hours. Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, complex carbohydrates, amino acids and other nutrients, but it needs to be consumed fresh.”