However, recently, this ‘naturally sourced’ soft drink has caused controversy and confusion over the true extent of its nutritional benefits.
Dietary experts Choice have strongly questioned the claims made about the healthiness of coconut water in a new report. Choice suggests that one of the predominant ingredients heavily promoted in coconut water is potassium, but that consuming vegetables can provide about 378mg of potassium and that this is a better way of ensuring potassium is included in our diets.
Consumer Law Group (CLG) launched a national class action lawsuit against Vita Coco coconut water earlier this year. CLG has said that the class action involved the ‘deceptive, misleading, false and unfair advertising of Vita Coco as an electrolyte-induced beverage similar to a sports drink’.
In tests, it was shown that there was 40% less sodium than advertised (only 18mg out of its listed 30mg), 35% less magnesium (only 20.80 out of its listed 32mg), and 16% less potassium (only 432.60 out of its listed 515mg).
This is yet another case of health claims being used to ‘sell, sell, sell’ rather than present an accurate representation of a product to inform and protect the consumer.
However, Roneel Raju, director at Natural Isotonic Coconut Experience (Nice) offers a view that does put some of this recent barrage of bad press in perspective.
Raju says, “Coconut water has been used for centuries for its known health benefits. It is great to see some research from American Chemical Society which back these claims. It is by no means a miracle drink, but the evidence suggests that it is a great, healthy, refreshing beverage which is full of electrolytes, vitamins and minerals.
“The recent Choice report compares coconut water to vegetables, fruits, water and sports drinks. Fruits, vegetables and water are the most important foods to human beings and should be first on the list for any human (it’s a no-brainer).
“We are simply giving people a refreshing beverage that is packed with wonderful, proven properties that can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle. For it to be labelled as a fad is highly misleading, as coconut water has been used for centuries by much of the human population. At the end of the day, we are providing a product that has proven health benefits and is a healthy alternative to sugar-loaded, artificially coloured and flavoured beverages on the market.”
Consumers shouldn’t necessarily shy away from coconut water. It’s nutritious to a degree and won’t cause any harm. However, if companies continue to describe the beverage as something it cannot live up to, eventually its celebrity-style popularity will soon wane.
Be aware, manufacturers can, and will, use marketing, clever branding and ambitious health claims to shift products. And remember that coconut water isn’t actually water – it’s a soft drink.
Rebecca is editorial assistant of FoodBev.com
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