The sweet, tasty liquid that is found in green, young coconuts has taken health-conscious consumers by storm in recent years. Celebrity endorsements have helped to make pure coconut water one of the biggest buzz products to hit the shelves of supermarkets and health food stores. There is a sound basis for this popularity since the natural, unprocessed product has some genuine health benefits.
It has become popular only recently in Europe and the US, but it has been a staple 'fast food' drink in tropical climes for decades. In regions like India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Caribbean, street sellers will cut a hole in a fresh coconut for customers to sip the water inside using a straw. In a hot, humid climate, its superior thirst-quenching qualities make for the perfect refreshment.
Its popularity in the West has been driven by its unique nutritional characteristics. It is high in a range of minerals (particularly potassium) and the B-complex group of vitamins and has been shown to have a beneficial effect of blood pressure. It can also settle an upset stomach and is in high demand by dieters. This is due to it being low in fat and carbohydrates and its satiety-promoting richness and high fiber content.
Some are enthusiastic about its effects on skin health. It has been used topically for many years in Latin America as an antidote to oiliness and acne. Its excellent hydrating properties can give skin a healthy glow and the cytokinin compounds it contains have been shown to have anti-aging properties.
With regard to consuming the drink, ideally one would take it fresh from the nut (although technically it is what's known as a drupe, not a nut). This of course is not convenient for most people living in non-tropical countries. For one thing, they need to be refrigerated if not eaten within a week or so of being purchased. This can take up a lot of space and they also need to be tapped to get at the water inside.
For convenience, consumers will mostly choose the packaged products available in supermarkets and elsewhere. They should know however that these products vary considerably in quality. Some are over-processed and have a consequently poor nutritional profile. Some big brands contain preservatives, sweeteners and other additives and are far from the healthy products they purport to be.
Some are made using a heat-treated syrup that is mixed with water. Others are de-natured by very high-temperature heat-treatment. Naturally, fresh products that are processed in this way will suffer a considerable loss of their nutritional value. If all one needs is a quick way to quench thirst, then these types of product may be OK. Consumers who want a natural, nutrient-dense drink however, will do better to seek out a superior product.
It should also be pointed out that some commercial drinks are manufactured using mature coconut water. This is a cost-cutting measure on the part of the manufacturers since fresh, young water is more expensive. The water loses its sweetness as it matures and so has to be sweetened to mask its acidity. The manufacturers use sugar and sweeteners - two ingredients that health-conscious consumers should of course avoid.
It has become popular only recently in Europe and the US, but it has been a staple 'fast food' drink in tropical climes for decades. In regions like India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Caribbean, street sellers will cut a hole in a fresh coconut for customers to sip the water inside using a straw. In a hot, humid climate, its superior thirst-quenching qualities make for the perfect refreshment.
Its popularity in the West has been driven by its unique nutritional characteristics. It is high in a range of minerals (particularly potassium) and the B-complex group of vitamins and has been shown to have a beneficial effect of blood pressure. It can also settle an upset stomach and is in high demand by dieters. This is due to it being low in fat and carbohydrates and its satiety-promoting richness and high fiber content.
Some are enthusiastic about its effects on skin health. It has been used topically for many years in Latin America as an antidote to oiliness and acne. Its excellent hydrating properties can give skin a healthy glow and the cytokinin compounds it contains have been shown to have anti-aging properties.
With regard to consuming the drink, ideally one would take it fresh from the nut (although technically it is what's known as a drupe, not a nut). This of course is not convenient for most people living in non-tropical countries. For one thing, they need to be refrigerated if not eaten within a week or so of being purchased. This can take up a lot of space and they also need to be tapped to get at the water inside.
For convenience, consumers will mostly choose the packaged products available in supermarkets and elsewhere. They should know however that these products vary considerably in quality. Some are over-processed and have a consequently poor nutritional profile. Some big brands contain preservatives, sweeteners and other additives and are far from the healthy products they purport to be.
Some are made using a heat-treated syrup that is mixed with water. Others are de-natured by very high-temperature heat-treatment. Naturally, fresh products that are processed in this way will suffer a considerable loss of their nutritional value. If all one needs is a quick way to quench thirst, then these types of product may be OK. Consumers who want a natural, nutrient-dense drink however, will do better to seek out a superior product.
It should also be pointed out that some commercial drinks are manufactured using mature coconut water. This is a cost-cutting measure on the part of the manufacturers since fresh, young water is more expensive. The water loses its sweetness as it matures and so has to be sweetened to mask its acidity. The manufacturers use sugar and sweeteners - two ingredients that health-conscious consumers should of course avoid.
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