DAR ES SALAAM: IN order to withstand the scotching sun doing necessitated by the climate change, where the commercial city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is not excluded, taking regular water and soft drinks is inevitable.
This helps one to avoid dehydration that is caused by excessive loss of fluid in the body as a result of sweating or minimal intake of fluids. The good thing about Dar es Salaam is that regardless of the hot weather, people still engage in their normal activities provided they get something to put in their pockets.
This means that even if the sun burns like nobody’s business, people would still hustle making full use of any opportunity that knocks at their doors.
Of course, survival in this beautiful city requires hard work and full dedication on what you do otherwise, things can be difficult than you ever imagined. In this regard, selling water and other beverages is a profitable business as these products are demanded a lot by people, who engage in different daily routines for the sake of bringing food on the table.
Without doubt, even companies that produce water and beverages do make significant profits as they are assured of the broad market from millions of the city’s dwellers. It is encouraging to see that water is not a scarcity commodity in Dar es Salaam to the extent that even if one has a 100/- he/she can still not go thirsty as this precious liquid is found in accordance with what one has in the pocket.
Aside of bottled water, vendors also do sell drinking water packed in sachets or small plastic bags which are usually sold in areas with many people to provide diversity.
ALSO READ: Firm turns coconut husks into ropes
However, leaving aside the normal water that you know, people in Dar es Salaam are also fond of drinking coconut water- which is also readily available product in different corners of the city.
Though its taste differs a lot from ordinary water, coconut water has several benefits to humans, hence, the reason as to why they are also in great demand. If you have never tasted this water before, I challenge you to have one and you will never regret such that instead, you will become its regular consumer.
The Daily News had a chance to chat with one of the coconut sellers in the city, Peter Richard, who has been doing this business from 2016 to date.
Richard, a husband and father to two children opened up that selling coconut water is the major economic generation activity he does which helps to eke out a living and run his family. Every morning, he transports his consignment from Maweni in Kigamboni District all the way to Posta using his old-fashioned peddled bicycle packed with the coconuts.
“This is what we depend on…in other words, this is my office and this is my job…I work hard for it and I am thankful to God that I neither steal nor beg food from anyone,” he said.
The conversation was being done aboard MV Kazi, one of the ferries that transport people Ferry in Kigamboni and Kivukoni (Posta). Looking around, there were about seven other coconut sellers carrying two full large baskets tightly tied on the sides and at the back of their bicycles, all filled with coconuts on their way to the market.
Three of them were busy serving customers while aboard MV Kazi crossing the Indian ocean to the other side of the city.
Though it was around 7:00 am, people still scrambled for the precious liquid en-route to their working places. Richard conceded that the business becomes more profitable when it is sunny as the scorching sun attacks innocent souls who are just out to hustle in the streets.
“We sell a lot when it is hot that is why during the rainy season, you find few of us selling this product simply because the intake of water is minimal,” he elaborated. He continued: “Today, I am carrying 40 Coconuts and each basket has been loaded with 20 pieces and in order to create a balance when cycling, I do carry 70 of them.
“For us, we do not have specific selling places and for me, I do go as far as Makumbusho, Kinondoni and Morocco and so on looking for customers regardless of the hot weather storming the city,” he said.
“As such, if you are in Dar es Salaam and you have not yet tasted Coconut water, it is time to have one and see how it will go down through your digestive system… truly, you will soon become a regular customer,” he added.
Facts you did not know about Coconut water: Energy booster: Coconut water is a great beverage to drink during and after a workout. It is rich in minerals, electrolytes, and antioxidants that help to boost your energy level instantly. It may help athletes to refuel their energy stores and recover a little faster.
If you drink this water during exercise, it may prevent fatigue and dehydration. Coconut water is a natural alternative to any sports drink. It contains more potassium and electrolytes, less sodium, and fewer carbohydrates than many sports drinks. Best alternative to sugar juices: Coconut water is low in calories, sugar, and carbs, unlike other sugary juices and sodas. It makes it a better choice for diabetics or individuals looking to reduce their consumption of added sugar Helps to lose weight: Fresh Coconut water is beneficial in weight loss management programmes.
It is lower in calories than other beverages, like soda or juices that help to lose weight. One cup of Coconut water contains only 48 calories. As coconut water is also a great replacement for sugary drinks, completely swapping artificial sugary drinks for coconut water may help in managing weight and could boost hydration.
Helps to manage diabetes: Research shows that Coconut water may help to manage blood sugar levels and improves diabetes symptoms.
It is a good source of manganese, which may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
Helps in heart health: Drinking Coconut water may be beneficial to prevent heart diseases. It may help manage cholesterol levels in the blood and maintain good heart health because it is high in potassium.
Additionally, coconut water also helps increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) levels, which decreases the risk of various heart diseases.
