A 69-year-old Danish man from Aarhus, Denmark, tragically passed away just hours after drinking from a coconut he had bought.
Daily Mail reported that the man had bought the pre-prepared fruit a month earlier and left it on his kitchen table instead of refrigerating it.
For illustration purposes only
He only took small sips of the coconut water
According to Danish medics, the man was reported to have taken just a small amount of the coconut water using a straw due to the foul taste.
Upon opening up the coconut, he discovered the interior was slimy and told his wife that it “looked rotten”, and decided to throw it away.
3 hours later, he started experiencing sweating and vomiting. An ambulance was called, and when they arrived at his home, they found him confused, unable to balance, and with pale, clammy skin.
Autopsy found fungus in his throat
After the man was sent to the hospital for an examination, MRI scans showed that he had severe brain swelling.
Despite being treated in the intensive care unit, he was declared brain dead 26 hours after arriving at the hospital, and his life support was turned off.
An autopsy later revealed fungus in his throat, with further examination showing that the spoiled coconut had bred a mold called arthrinium saccharicola.
Food safety experts have always recommended storing pre-cut coconuts in the fridge to keep them fresh. Coconut water is perishable, so it’s always best to drink it within a few days. Only unopened coconuts can be stored at room temperature.
Also read: Malaysian Doctor Warns Against Harmful Durian Combinations After Patient Experiences Intoxication
