By Annabelle Holman
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.
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.
It has gained popularity in developed countries mainly because of its impressive nutritional profile. It is high in potassium and contains a range of minerals and b-complex vitamins. It can also be a useful aid to weight loss since it is low in fat and its rich nature can suppress appetite.
Some people also report its beneficial effect on their skin. It can be used topically to treat oiliness, blemishes and acne. It can also impart a healthy glow with its excellent re-hydrating properties. In addition, it contains compounds called cytokinins which are known to have anti-aging properties.
With regard to consuming this wonder drink, certainly the best way is from a fresh, ripe coconut. This is the ideal, but is of course an inconvenient business for people who don't live where coconuts are grown. They are certainly available, but take up a lot of space and have to be bored to get at the liquid inside them.
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 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 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.
It has gained popularity in developed countries mainly because of its impressive nutritional profile. It is high in potassium and contains a range of minerals and b-complex vitamins. It can also be a useful aid to weight loss since it is low in fat and its rich nature can suppress appetite.
Some people also report its beneficial effect on their skin. It can be used topically to treat oiliness, blemishes and acne. It can also impart a healthy glow with its excellent re-hydrating properties. In addition, it contains compounds called cytokinins which are known to have anti-aging properties.
With regard to consuming this wonder drink, certainly the best way is from a fresh, ripe coconut. This is the ideal, but is of course an inconvenient business for people who don't live where coconuts are grown. They are certainly available, but take up a lot of space and have to be bored to get at the liquid inside them.
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 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 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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