“Clean label” and “natural alternatives” have been popular topics recently in the soft drinks industry. But why is there a sudden interest in coconut water?  

Coconut water (aka coconut juice) is the clear liquid found inside a young, green coconut and is a traditional, fresh drink that has been consumed straight from the fruit in Asia and Latin America for centuries. However, Western cultures have only just discovered the benefits of coconut water leading to an impressive growth in the packaged product in recent years. In North America alone there has been a 400% increase in consumption since 2012.

Coconut water is low in calories and contains only natural sugars, therefore it caters to the health conscious consumers motivated to move away from carbonated and artificially produced beverages that are high in sugar, fat and synthetic ingredients. Additionally, due to the presence of high levels of the essential electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium needed for natural hydration, it can also be used as energy and sports related drink.

There is some evidence which indicates coconut water supplementation may accelerate the healing process of wounds, and reduce the bone loss and hormonal imbalances observed during menopause.

According to data taken from GlobalDatas’ Market Analyser, Sococo was one of the first companies to bring coconut water into soft drinks market through the Sococo Coconut still drink launched in Brazil in 2000. This product had a steady growth until 2006, when there was a leap in demand. However, it is interesting to note that the top three companies driving this segment today are Vita Coco, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, all of which joined the trend after 2008.