Coconut Water

Fresh coconut water has recently been appearing as a drink option in trendy restaurants and in bottled form at health food stores. But what is this popular new beverage?

Coconut water is a traditional drink in tropical areas such as Southeast Asia, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. It is a clear, nut-flavoured liquid found inside young green coconuts. Don’t confuse it with coconut milk, which is made from the coconut “meat” of older coconuts. As a coconut grows, the water inside the young plant is replaced by the coconut meat or pulp. The resulting beverage is coconut water if the fruit is picked young or coconut milk if the fruit is picked later.

Unlike its high-fat, high-calorie coconut milk cousin, coconut water is a fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie product. A typical serving will contain 60 calories or less but will be very high in potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium and serve as a source of Calcium and Vitamin C. In fact, one 8 oz. cup of this beverage contains more potassium than a banana. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure which can help prevent illnesses related to high blood pressure such as a stroke or heart attack.

The minerals in coconut water have a similar electrolyte composition to human blood and coconut water has actually been used by some developing nations as an intravenous fluid when saline was unavailable.

The high electrolyte levels make it an extremely popular sports drink and many of the packaged versions contain more than 15 times the electrolyte levels of traditional sports drinks. It is also frequently recommended for pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals recovering from a hangover, as the high mineral content makes it ideal for individuals who have trouble staying hydrated or with extra nutrient needs.

Packaged products will generally cost between two and three pounds per serving, however, purchasing a case can often reduce the costs of this beverage. Popular brands include Vita Coco, Zico (financed by Coca-Cola) and O.N.E. Coconut Water (distributed by Pepsi). Coconut water comes unflavoured or in a variety of fruit flavours. Try sampling a few of the flavours to determine your favourite.