Say it ain’t so!
When it comes to health foods, there are some buzz words; the ingredients that get chucked around by every fitness influencer out there that are ~healthy~.
Açai bowls (deceptively full of sugar), granola bars (also full of sugar), Greek yoghurt (actually healthy) – you know the sort. Another one of those cool buzzy healthy foods is coconut water. Full of electrolytes it’s meant to be good for hydration and is definitely a more exciting option than the boring standard stuff from a tap.
But it turns out coconut water is another one of those not so healthy healthy treats.
The question: Is coconut water good for you?
The answer: Yes. But also no.
While coconut water is lower in sugar than other juices and probably fine as a treat from time to time, it still contains unnecessary liquid sugar. Plain water is just as – if not more -effective for hydration purposes.
However, it’s easy to fall into the ‘sugar is bad’ trap when dieting. And, while we’re not medical experts, we’re firm believers that balance is key. So don’t freak out about having the coconut water if you want the damn coconut water.
What you have to be careful of, as with many ‘healthy’ foods, is added sugars.
Where some products on supermarket shelves are pure coconut water, many contain a mixture of coconut water with other ingredients added. These include coconut cream, sugar, other fruit juices, vitamin C, and added flavours which aren’t so good to regularly consume.
It’s always a good idea to check the ingredients when buying any food, healthy or otherwise. If it’s full of sugar, additives or anything you don’t know the name of (as a rule of thumb) then chances are, it’s on the ‘not so healthy’ end of the spectrum.
Although, we repeat: balance is key. Otherwise life is boring and no one wants that.
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By Krisinda Merhi
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