What is the ‘new coconut water’?

As it’s a new year with new trends, we’re wondering: what is the ‘new coconut water’?  But first of all let’s discuss actual coconut water – our dear friend, what would we do without you? In the recent years, that clear, sweet liquid has become a global health phenomenon, consumed worldwide for its health benefits. In 2014, it became Britain’s fastest-growing soft drink with 12.5 million sold by industry leaders Vita Coco alone. More generally, sales were up 114 per cent from the previous year according to internet shopping experts mySupermarket, so it’s safe to say it’s doing pretty well.

What’s so good about it? Low in calories, naturally free from cholesterol, high in magnesium, more potassium than four bananas, packed full of healthy fatty acids and electrolytes and super hydrating, it’s more a question of what’s bad about it. So what is it? Coconut water is the clear liquid in the fruit’s centre that is tapped from young, green coconuts. Not to be confused with coconut milk or oil, coconut water contains easily digested carbohydrates in the form of sugar and electrolytes.

And despite the recent hype, coconut water has in fact long been hailed as a natural miracle. It was actually used in WWII for emergency transfusions as it is completely sterile until the coconut is opened (a little coconut fact for you there). Dubbed ‘Mother Nature’s sports drink’, it has fewer calories, less sodium, less sugar and more potassium that a sports drink, (albeit maybe slightly pricier!) so it’s easy to understand why it’s favoured across the world as a health food staple for so many of us.

But rumour has it there are some new drinks on the block that could be taking its place. So, with coconut water very dear to team WHL’s heart, we decided to investigate! Is it really time to say goodbye?