Young green coconuts contain a liquid that has become something of a health phenomenon over the last few years. Fueled by celebrity endorsements, pure coconut water has become one of the hottest-selling health products to hit the market. There is in fact good reason for its popularity, since it is rich in nutrients and is better than most sports drinks for human hydration.
Although it's a relative newcomer to US and European markets, it has been a street-food staple in tropical countries for many decades. Street hawkers sell freshly cut coconuts ready for their customers to drink out of with a straw. The electrolyte-rich water makes for a perfect re-hydrator in humid conditions.
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.
It is also reported to have a number of positive effects of skin health. In Latin America it has been used externally for many years to combat oily skin, acne and blemishes. Its superb re-hydrating characteristics also restore a healthy glow to skin that has become dry or dull. In addition, the cytokinins it contains have a recognized anti-aging effect on older skin.
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.
So this leaves the pre-packaged products available in stores. It's important to know that not all products of this kind are created equal. Some of them may not have a particularly good nutritional profile due to being highly processed. They may have preservatives and other additives and will not be as nutritious as a pure, unprocessed product.
Some are re-constituted with water from a heat-treated syrup base. Others are pasteurized at very high temperature. Needless to say, any fresh product that has been heat-treated will have lost a significant amount of its nutrients. If all you need is a quick thirst-quencher, then this kind of product will be OK. If however you want a drink that is as natural and nutritious as possible, then obviously products of this nature should be avoided.
It's worth mentioning too that some mass-produced products are made using cheap, mature coconut water. This water will have lost much of its natural sweetness and have become acidic. The manufacturers mask the acidity using sugar or artificial sweeteners. Again, consumers who want the best product possible should avoid these sub-standard offerings.
Although it's a relative newcomer to US and European markets, it has been a street-food staple in tropical countries for many decades. Street hawkers sell freshly cut coconuts ready for their customers to drink out of with a straw. The electrolyte-rich water makes for a perfect re-hydrator in humid conditions.
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.
It is also reported to have a number of positive effects of skin health. In Latin America it has been used externally for many years to combat oily skin, acne and blemishes. Its superb re-hydrating characteristics also restore a healthy glow to skin that has become dry or dull. In addition, the cytokinins it contains have a recognized anti-aging effect on older skin.
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.
So this leaves the pre-packaged products available in stores. It's important to know that not all products of this kind are created equal. Some of them may not have a particularly good nutritional profile due to being highly processed. They may have preservatives and other additives and will not be as nutritious as a pure, unprocessed product.
Some are re-constituted with water from a heat-treated syrup base. Others are pasteurized at very high temperature. Needless to say, any fresh product that has been heat-treated will have lost a significant amount of its nutrients. If all you need is a quick thirst-quencher, then this kind of product will be OK. If however you want a drink that is as natural and nutritious as possible, then obviously products of this nature should be avoided.
It's worth mentioning too that some mass-produced products are made using cheap, mature coconut water. This water will have lost much of its natural sweetness and have become acidic. The manufacturers mask the acidity using sugar or artificial sweeteners. Again, consumers who want the best product possible should avoid these sub-standard offerings.
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