Cobra managed to add water as part of food (12)

I believe the answer is:

carbohydrate

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'part of food' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'cobra managed to add water' is the wordplay.
'managed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'to add water' becomes 'hydrate' (I've seen this in another clue).
'cobra' is an anagram of 'carbo'.
'carbo'+'hydrate'='CARBOHYDRATE'

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for carbohydrate that I've seen is " Type of food".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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