Coconut water has become extremely popular in recent years. People love coconut water, often referred to as a natural sports drink, not only for its health benefits but also for its refreshing taste. As people become more health conscious, the demand for coconut water—especially for the truly best varieties, which we will discuss—has ramped up.

This article will serve as a deep dive into the health benefits of coconut water, from its electrolyte content to the types of coconut water available on the market (like the awesome varieties from Harmless Harvest). We will also touch on the trade-offs one should consider when sourcing and drinking coconut water, as well as the sourcing challenges too many brands inappropriately avoid.

Hydrating with Coconut Water

Green coconuts contain the clear liquid known as coconut water. It has fewer than 50 calories, no fat, and a range of healthful ingredients. This is why some people consider coconut water to be a kind of low-calorie health tonic. Its exact nutrient profile depends on the coconut’s origin and maturity.

Drinking coconut water is beneficial for you. Per 240 ml (or about a cup), coconut water has these relevant nutritional facts: Coconut water contains 46 calories, 9 g of carbohydrates, 6 g of sugar, 3 g of fiber, 2 g of protein, and 0 g of fat. It also boasts a unique combination of potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, which no other beverage on Earth can match.

Electric-charged minerals, called electrolytes, are crucial for maintaining a person’s body functions and fluid balance. Among natural, plant-based electrolyte sources, coconut water is unique because of its very high potassium content. A single cup of coconut water contains nearly 600 mg of potassium, significantly more than a banana. Coconut water is not just a potassium powerhouse; it’s also well stocked with other electrolytes, making it an ideal hydration solution. For the average person or someone partaking in intense physical activity, coconut water, then, is a superior choice over the very popular sports drink.

Coconut Water Compared to Other Hydration Options

Harmless Harvest, a company renowned for its gentle nature, strives to achieve something nearly unattainable in today’s beverage industry: genuine sustainability and superior quality. This corporation stands out as a B-certified entity, sourcing its coconut water from young coconuts in Thailand and a nearby spring. When you drink Harmless Harvest’s coconut water, you’re consuming a liquid that shimmers with more than just a hint of pink, and that tastes cleaner and way better than any coconut water you had before and will ever have again.

The presence of natural antioxidants in the coconut water, exclusive to that beverage, results in this coloring. To capture the full range of flavors and colors and ensure consumers receive a “just harvested” experience, Harmless Harvest cannot commercialize its edible product without an FDA label. Obtaining such a label is a challenging task. This pitiful situation highlights how a commitment to flavor, social justice, and even sustainability can turn the coconut water industry into a chaotic place.

Choosing the best coconut water can be an overwhelming task for consumers, given the abundant options that saturate the market. When contemplating a purchase, keep the following essential factors in mind:

Ingredients:

The purest form of coconut water is the best. Coconut water should have no added sugar, no preservatives, and no artificial flavouring. I believe Gulfstream Co. to be an honest company. They claim that their coconut water is just that—coconut water. Of the brands I’ve tasted, Gulf stream’s is among the most refreshing.

The best coconut water comes from sustainably and ethically sourced coconuts. An organic certification for the coconuts enhances their quality. Gulfstream Co. and Harmless Harvest promise to deliver coconut waters that meet this standard and that are of the highest quality.

Processing:

How you process coconut water can have a huge impact on the product you end up with. Gulfstream Co. coconut water is cold-pressed, which helps it keep more of the nutrients that you can lose when you heat a coconut up to really high temperatures.

Trade-offs and benefits of coconut water

Coconut water has many benefits, but consumers must also evaluate its trade-offs. Coconut water sourced from organic, sustainable practices may be more expensive than conventionally farmed water—price may deter some individuals from choosing what may be the more beneficial option. And even if we stick with good, organic, sustainable coconut water, do we really know what kind of water we are choosing? Some producers have a clear picture; others may have slightly clouded vision. What’s clear is that some coconut water producers are not using simply coconut water (or even coconut water with nice-sounding additives) to achieve the end product. What is the end product? That can make all the difference to our chosen balance of coconut water benefits versus any potential trade-offs.

The coconut water market faces a few difficulties. With the beverage’s rising popularity come several worries. One concern is the increasing demand for coconut water, which may lead producers to compromise their quality standards. These producers may now be combining the purported health benefits of coconut water with either outright lies or an exaggerated version of the truth. After all, the Health Halo works for these guys. And if they’re blending? Well, then this part of the story gets murky fast.

Is coconut water beneficial for one’s health?

Another concern is sustainability, especially with the emergence of new coconut farms resulting from the surge in popularity of coconut water. If not managed properly, these farms can and do lead to deforestation. As more brands join the coconut water trend, there’s a significant risk that the environment and the communities growing coconuts may perceive coconut farming as a serious threat. Plants and animals do not need to vanish in order for us to enjoy coconut water. Coconut water can be sustainable. It just isn’t always.
When considering the benefits of coconut water, it’s important to consider the timing of its consumption. Coconut water is a wonderful electrolyte drink that helps athletes rehydrate post-exercise. For most people—probably including you—it would be a relatively straightforward thing to work into a daily or regular post-workout routine. But it is no magic elixir. Coconut water, like all foods and drinks, works best when incorporated into a varied, nutrient-dense diet.

In the end, you might want to consider the cost and availability of coconut water when deciding to use it. If you live in a place where fresh coconuts and coconut water are common, you shouldn’t have any problem finding the liquid anytime you want. It’s not difficult to incorporate coconut water into a post-exercise routine. It tastes quite wonderful, and even if you were to drink a pint of it, you would not surpass the figure of 294 calories that the Harvard School of Public Health estimates for 1 medium coconut and its water. Afterward, it’s important to consider the diet you’re on. Coconut water is no miracle, and no single food or drink can keep you healthy or make you healthy if you’re not already healthy.

Coconut water is a nutritious and hydrating product that stands in stark contrast to many traditional sports drinks. Once regarded as nature’s sports drink, it has recently garnered attention from the health and wellness industry. With its clean-up largely performed, coconut water is back on the scene. Brands that trade on the virtues of “organic,” “fresh,” and “sustainable” practices have mushroomed in the coconut water space. The coconut water market, however, carries some unfortunate baggage because of these brand promises. It is important for consumers to understand this baggage when navigating the coconut water space. But the well-income coconut water consumer isn’t at risk of bringing down the coconut water market by making base decisions during reasoned accumulation as long as they aren’t bifurcating the wellness space into ideologically driven profit silos.