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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment