Given the context provided, the most relevant reason to support the author's claim in this section of the argument would be:
Most of the fruit used to make coconut water is grown on small family farms, and these families realize only small profits.
This reason aligns with the overall theme of the paragraph, which discusses the economic challenges faced by coconut farmers despite the surge in coconut water sales.
It provides additional information about the financial struggles of coconut farmers, reinforcing the author's argument about the disparity between the booming coconut water industry and the low income of the farmers involved.
In five years’ time, sales of coconut water have rocketed from four million to sixty million dollars each year. (2) The sweet, nutty flavored liquid is tapped from the heart of young, green coconut fruit, which grow on coconut palms, a kind of palm tree. (3) Coconut water can restore these electrolytes to some extent, but it works no more effectively than ordinary sports drinks. (4) Some people declare that the raw liquid prevents cancer, slows aging, and boosts memory and thought processes. There is no science to support any of these claims. (5) But coconut farmers make too little money to live securely or comfortably.
Which of the following reasons could be added to paragraph 8 to support the author's claim in this section of the argument?
Sales of coconut water have increased by 56 million dollars over five years.
Most of the fruit used to make coconut water is grown on small family farms, and these families realize only small profits.
The growing shipping needs for coconut water may cause local growers to replace native plants with new coconut groves.
The use of fossil fuels to ship these products can further deplete limited oil resources, causing the need for more drilling which in turn can pose more environmental damage.