Cape Town - Coconut water is the cool new sport and lifestyle beverage.
A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Gisele Bundchen and Rihanna have been spotted sipping the tropical drink and many have touted the drink not only as a refreshing beverage but a health tonic packed with nutrients.
Now the trend has reached South Africa’s shores and coconut water can suddenly be found everywhere – from yoga studios and gyms to local retailers.
Not to be confused with coconut milk made from pulped coconut meat, coconut water is the liquid found inside the coconut. It is the most popular beverage consumed in the tropics.
Carla Pullen, from Coco Zone in Cape Town, explains that coconut water was mostly consumed by the people of those countries where coconuts are grown, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Brazil and Sri Lanka.
“Coconut milk comes from the flesh of the coconut and is high in calories and most of those calories are derived from fat. On the other hand, coconut water is the water that builds up inside the shell of a young, green coconut. As the fruit ages, the water becomes less as the white meat grows,” she explains.
Coco Zone’s coconut water is produced in the Philippines.
“The inspiration behind Coco Zone was born as a result of the need for a healthy beverage. With the mass movement towards a healthy lifestyle, we saw a gap in the South African market for a delicious drink that is not loaded with caffeine, sugar or preservatives,” says Pullen
Best served chilled, the product’s packaging says it contains no preservatives and added sugar, and is a blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, carbohydrates, antioxidant, enzymes and other phytonutrients. “Making it 100 percent pure coconut water,” says Pullen.
“When buying coconut water, always read the ingredients carefully and check the ingredients for added sugar. Coconut water offers many benefits and the proof is in the pudding. As a natural isotonic drink that is low in sugar, it is perfect as part of a healthy diet, great for hydration and its vitamins support the overall wellbeing and optimal performance of key bodily functions,” she says.
Pullen says coconut water is also fast-becoming popular with pregnant women.
“It is rich in vitamins, especially the B vitamins that are important in pregnancy as well as trace elements such as zinc, selenium and manganese. Like coconut milk and coconut oil, coconut water contains lauric acid, which is a known immune booster that is present in breast milk to help protect your baby,” she explains.
But whether coconut water can aid in weight loss as others have claimed, registered dietitian Kari Jonker says there is no research to support its benefits in terms of health conditions or weight loss. Therefore, it is not something she would recommend as a health professional.
“Often these products are hyped up by being endorsed by celebrities without the product having the scientific backing. Coconut water is fairly low in energy (calories), low in fat, and contains high levels of electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and sodium. But it is not recommended that coconut water be consumed in large quantities, as it may be detrimental to your health.
“I recommend a food-based approach to getting nutrients, and therefore don’t really consider coconut water as an alternative to obtaining nutrients from food,” she explains.
“There has been some hype around coconut water for athletes, especially given its higher electrolyte content and lower calories. However, it is comparable to other sports drinks and wouldn’t supply sufficient carbohydrates for that quick-energy release often needed during high-intensity endurance sports.
“If you like the taste of coconut water and can afford it, it can be consumed as opposed to a sugar-sweetened beverage. However, I would not recommend using this product as a strategy to lose weight or manage health conditions as there is no research to back its use for this. Also, consumers need to be aware that there are coconut water products available on the market which actually have added sugar, and can therefore not be considered a healthy option,” says Jonker.
Prenny Abraham, a co-founder of the Durban-based coconut water brand Coco V, says that although the coconut water trend is still young in South Africa, it is fast gaining popularity.
“We have only just scratched the surface of the coconut water market here in South Africa and there is still massive room for growth. South Africa is the fastest growing market in the world for CrossFit and crossfitters swear by coconut water and so do people on the paleo and banting diets. Banting has taken the country by storm and the popularity of everything coconut has shot up with the publicity of the diet,” explains Abraham.
“Essentially coconut water keeps you hydrated and nourished and is the healthiest alternative to water as it doesn’t contain a high level of sugar, it’s natural and has nothing artificial in it (unless added otherwise) and for that reason it’s great for the whole family,” he says.
Abraham says their product is 100 percent fresh, pure coconut water, with no added sugars or artificial flavourants.
“There are quite a few different products out there on the market. While some of them are good quality products, there are a few phoneys. The main thing to look out for is the ingredients list and if you see anything that says ‘coconut flavour’ then its not the real deal.
“Many products use coconut-flavoured syrup mixed with water. That is simply a reconstituted coconut drink and is not coconut water. Essentially you want to look for a product that says 100 percent coconut water,” he says.
* Coconut water is also available in other flavours.
Cape Argus team takes a sip and delivers verdict
Coconut water’s unusual flavour of sweet and salty is an acquired taste that not everyone is a fan of.
Having tasted coconut water from a coconut shell before, I had an idea of what to expect when I tried Coco Zone.
It closely resembles the taste of fresh coconut water and is a refreshing drink I could possibly get used to.
On the other hand, although coconut water Vita Coco also had the taste of fresh coconuts, I found it to be slightly milky and sweeter. - Nontando Mposa.
Other members of the Cape Argus team also tried coconut water and here is what they thought:
Sipokazi Fokazi, Health writer
Brand: Coco Zone
Verdict: The Coco Zone packaging is so attractive I thought to myself that it must taste really good. But the taste was something completely different, it was not a pleasant taste and I had to force myself to finish it.
To buy: Coco Zone retails for R19.95 for a 330ml. Available online and in selected Pick n Pay and Spar stores, among other outlets. Visit www.cocozone.com for more information
Brand: Vita Coco
Verdict: It smells fruity but tastes like a watered down fruit juice, it’s not so bad at all.
To buy: Vita Coco retails for R19.95 a 330ml box. Available at Woolworths.
Anél Lewis, Metro writer and runner
Brand: Coco Zone
Verdict: Coco Zone is my go-to drink after a long run. I’m training for my first marathon and this drink gives me the electrolyte and potassium I need to replenish after a strenuous workout, without any added sugars.
Brand: Nature’s Choice C
Verdict: This is a refreshing alternative to other beverages. Made from green coconuts, it has a subtle taste that makes one think of long and lazy summer days. Best served chilled or even on ice.
To buy: Nature’s Choice retails for R18.99 at Fruit & Veg City.
* Coco V retails for R372 per case of 24, or R15.50 a can. For deliveries nationwide, go to www.coco-v.com
Cape Argus