Coconut Water: 2011′s Most Over-Hyped (And Beloved) Health Product

Madonna drinks it. Rihanna is the new face of one brand of it. Hell, even most of the Blisstree staffers admit to loving it. But to be honest, before this year, it’s unlikely that any of them (or us) had ever heard of coconut water, which was far and away one of the biggest “new” items to grace shelves of bodegas and health food stores in 2011. After rising to unexpected levels of popularity, I’m proud to award coconut water the title of Most Over-Hyped Health Product of the year.

Coconut water’s legions of lovers seemed to come out of nowhere–one day, no one had heard of the stuff, which is a clear liquid that, if left uncollected, will eventually become coconut meat, and the next, there were no fewer than four major producers, and just about everyone was touting its abilities. Some swore that it made them feel more hydrated and alert, while others chugged it as a hangover cure, replacing their regimen of aspirin and Gatorade with a bottle of Zico or ONE. Coke and Pepsi both saw opportunities, and invested in the drink, which, in an era where soda is getting the stink-eye, seems like a smart plan for the mega-manufacturers. Which is probably why a lot of health advocates initially turned up their noses and immediately began studying it–anything that got so popular, so fast must be a scam, right?

Apparently, it sort of isn’t. Though it may seem like kind of a health hoax, the watery liquid does actually deliver some health benefits–which folks stateside were just slow to discover. A popular drink in regions rich in coconuts for ages, coconut water is prized for more than just its unique flavor. The drink, when unadulterated with additives and artificial colors and flavors, is a good source potassium, antioxidants, and cytokinins, which are plant-based nutrients that spur cell regeneration in the body. It can actually be pretty healthy, particularly for those who need to re-up on electrolytes after periods of dehydration or exercise.

But coconut water, like kombucha before it, isn’t exactly the miracle worker that many have proudly proclaimed it. There’s nothing in coconut water that, say, will make you lose weight, or help cure any kind of ailments. A lot of kinds of coconut water contain fewer of the active nutrients they advertise, and much more added sugar, sodium, and flavors than anyone needs, which can nearly negate any of the benefits that you may get from sipping on it. And on top of all that, there have been some questions about the sustainability of harvesting the volume of young coconuts required to meet the American demand.

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Coconut water definitely had a moment in 2011, and to be honest, I’m kind of OK with that. I like the taste (after some initial skepticism), and am pretty sure it’s a better beverage choice in a pinch at a convenience store than plain bottled water or heavily-artificial sports drinks (coconut water’s leading American distributors have opted for more sustainable, recyclable package) when I need an electrolyte boost after a run. But was it worth the hype it received throughout the year, and will that hype lead to potentially risky coconut farming practices? Unfortunately, I think those are questions that we’ll have to wait until 2012 to answer.

Image: Vita Coco