- Coconut water’s popularity is growing rapidly in the Western world due to its sustainability and health benefits.
- Organic coconut water offers health benefits like rehydration, bone health, potential kidney stone prevention, and heart health support.
- The European market for coconut water is expected to grow significantly, with Axelum positioned as a reliable, sustainable producer of certified organic coconut water.
For most South Americans and Southeast Asians, coconut water is an everyday drink. Thanks to this fruit’s ubiquity, it’s become the preferred thirst quencher in these hot, often humid regions.
However, in the last decade and a half, coconut water has exploded in popularity in the Western world. In 2023, the coconut water market in the United States was valued at USD 1.89 Billion. It’s expected to reach a staggering 5.12 Billion in 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.10%.
These numbers prove that coconut water is no fad. It appears that consumers really are becoming more health conscious, and opting for more natural beverages.
Why Coconut Water is The Sustainable Drink of Tomorrow
Coconut water’s surge in popularity has raised concerns over the industry’s long-term sustainability. Thankfully, coconuts are highly viable for commercial farming and large-scale processing. Here are some reasons why:
Coconuts are Highly Renewable
Coconut trees aren’t just resilient (they grow under a wide variety of conditions)–they’re productive too. A typical harvest cycle is just 23 days, and they happen all year round. This comes out to about 14-16 harvests a year.
In fact, each coconut tree can produce an average of 75-100 fruits a year, with some even producing up to 150. What’s amazing is that these trees can live between 60-80 years, and they bear fruits starting in their sixth year until the very end of their lifespan.
Coconut Trees Have a Lower Water Footprint
Compared to other fruit beverages, the water footprint of coconut water is much lower. This is because coconut trees are mostly grown in rainy regions, which reduces the need for artificial irrigation and lessens the need to tap into freshwater resources to grow them properly.
Coconut Water Requires Minimal Processing
Fresh coconut water spoils quickly. So after extraction from the fruit, a simple filtration and sterilisation process is done to preserve its freshness and nutritional content.
The two common methods to sterilise coconut water are to either cool it down (to about 4 degrees Celsius), or to heat it up (pasteurisation). Both options prevent oxidation and deterioration, which are the main contributors to spoilage. This minimal processing also results in lower energy consumption and carbon emissions, giving coconut water a lower overall carbon footprint to produce.
Coconut Trees Generally Don’t Need Pesticides
Unlike other fruits that are processed into juice, coconuts generally don’t require pesticides. In fact, most coconuts are farmed naturally by independent growers, making them organic by default.
4 Health Benefits of Drinking Organic Coconut Water
Aside from being a highly sustainable product, coconut water is a nutrient rich, low-calorie drink. Here are some of the health benefits that may come from drinking it regularly:
1. Rich in Electrolytes for Rehydration
Coconut water is 95% water, which is why it’s a great hydrator. 1 cup of it has 600 mg of potassium, which is about 16% of the daily value our bodies need. Potassium helps regulate bodily functions, namely in the kidneys, and also aids in muscle contractions.
This also means coconut water is a great natural replacement for sports drinks. Additionally, coconut water is low in calories and sodium, which lab-made drinks tend to be high in.
2. Calcium to Aid in Bone and Teeth Health
While milk is the beverage usually associated with calcium, coconut water also contains it. A cup has about 56 mg of calcium, which is 4% of the daily value. And because coconut water is less filling, it’s easier to drink more of it to help get your daily calcium needs (along with your diet).
3. May Help Prevent Kidney Stones
One study found that it helped people without kidney stones to lose more citrate, potassium, and chloride during urination. This suggests that coconut water may help loosen stones or even prevent them from forming altogether–which could help keep your kidneys in good condition.
A similar study in 2021 of diabetic rats had the same findings. Earlier studies also suggest that coconut water may alleviate kidney damage caused by diabetes.
4. May Support Heart Health
Potassium has been shown to lower blood pressure in people with normal to high blood pressure. And since coconut water is rich in it, it may be why regular consumption can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Researchers also found that a group of rats fed a diet rich in fats and cholesterol had a reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride levels after being given high doses of coconut water (about 4 ml per 100 grams of body weight).
However, it’s important to note that to replicate this effect in humans, you would need a 150 pound person (68 kg) to drink 2.7 liters of coconut water a day. While it’s difficult to drink that much coconut water, doing so may help complement other efforts to lower cholesterol, such as exercise.
Why Europe is The Next Big Market for Coconut Water
Given the many benefits of producing and consuming coconut water, its rising popularity in the West is not surprising. And with Europeans generally eating healthier than Americans, it’s clear that there will be a sizable market for coconut water in the region in the coming years.
Market projections support this outlook. In Europe, the market for coconut water is expected to grow to USD 389.45 million by 2025, while accelerating at a rate of 12.99% CAGR. The UK is expected to make up around 35% of this growth, with France, Spain, and Germany being the other key growth countries.
If you are in Europe and looking for a reliable producer of certified organic coconut water, look no further than Axelum, a pioneer in this industry. We are a Philippines-based company that has been supplying export-class coconut products to numerous global corporations over the last 30 years.
We utilise state-of-the-art equipment to produce our products–all of which have received multiple quality certifications that guarantee food safety.
Axelum also follows a comprehensive sustainability framework that aims to alleviate societal issues like poverty and demarginalisation. We are also proud to have launched numerous education, livelihood, health, and climate initiatives that have raised the living conditions of the people and communities we work with.
If you are interested to know more about Axelum and our many high-quality coconut products, contact us today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Coconut Water?
Coconut water is best served chilled for maximum refreshment. However, it also works great as a base for smoothies, or as a mixer with other fruit juices. You can even freeze it into ice cubes or popsicles that are great for hot summer days.
Where Does Axelum Source Its Coconuts?
Axelum harvests coconuts from densely populated plantations in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. These are all located within a 200 kilometer radius of our manufacturing facility, which guarantees freshness and timely processing.
Additionally, we also practice zero waste manufacturing, which makes full use of every coconut harvested.
What are the Varieties of Axelum’s Organic Coconut Water?
Our Fiesta Brand of 100% coconut water is non-GMO, has no added sugar and is certified kosher and halal. It comes in 3 varieties: organic, natural, and custom formation (subject to client’s requirements).
What are the Flavors of Axelum’s Organic Coconut Water Products?
Our Fiesta Brand of coconut water has 2 flavors: Naturale (pure coconut) and Lychee, which adds a sweet twist to the classic coconut water flavor. These are available in packs of 250ml, 330ml, and 550ml, in Tetra-Pak Edge and Prisma containers.
We also produce a 200 kg industrial pack.
What Other Coconut Products Does Axelum Make?
Axelum produces a wide selection of high-quality coconut products, including Coconut Cream, Desiccated Coconut, Coconut Cooking Oil, Sweetened Coconut, Toasted Coconut, Coconut Milk Powder, and more.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and has not been evaluated by any health authority. This should not be considered as medical advice to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions or changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have health issues or take medication. Axelum is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences relating from the use of any information provided.
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