Tell if coconut water is wrong is an important question to ask yourself. You want to make sure that the product isn’t moldy or has any brown spots. It should be transparent and opaque. A little pink is okay, but not the worst thing. This happens when antioxidants in the coconut react to light and make it look pink.
It’s crucial to remember that the best approach to keep coconut water fresh is to drink it as soon as possible after purchasing it. It’s best to eat it within two to five days of buying it. If a bottle was purchased lately, it should be kept in the refrigerator or pantry cabinet. You can keep the bottle in the fridge if you plan to use it. Ensure you eat it within a few days to keep it fresh and delicious.
Coconut Water Nutrition Facts
What is Exactly Coconut Water?
The transparent liquid inside coconuts (also known as coconut juice) is coconut water (fruits of the coconut palm). It is a suspension for the coconut’s endosperm during the nuclear phase during early development. The endosperm grows into its cellular phase and deposits into the rind of the coconut pulp as growth continues. Young coconut liquid is frequently preferred to ripened coconut liquid. In Philippine English, coconut water from young green coconuts is called buko juice. Coconut water has a sweet, nutty flavor that is naturally refreshing. It contains sugar and electrolytes, which are easily digestible carbs. Coconut water is a transparent liquid tapped from young, green coconuts and is not mistaken for high-fat coconut milk or oil.
How to Tell if Coconut Water is Gone Bad?
Here are Clear signs of how to tell if coconut water is gone bad:
Carbonation
Carbonation should never be added to coconut water, indicating that the sugars have begun to ferment and release carbon dioxide.
Sour Flavor
The tropical sweetness will have a sour or bitter taste.
Strong Smell
It is safe to drink. Coconut water has a faint aroma; it’s gone wrong if it smells like vinegar.
Thick Consistency
If it’s dense or sticky, throw it away.
Coloring
Any discoloration could be a sign of contamination. Coconut water should be transparent or opaque.
One thing to keep in mind is the reddish tint of coconut water. This does not always imply that the liquid is poisonous. When the antioxidants in coconut water come into contact with light, a chemical reaction occurs. The coconut water turns pink as a result of this. It is safe to consume (unless the water meets the criteria above).
How Long does Unopened Coconut Water Last?
This can vary depending on the coconut water you purchase, but unless you’re using a whole coconut, they’ll all have a use-by date. Some coconut waters are pasteurized, while others are loaded with added sugars and preservatives. There’s also the good old modest whole coconut, albeit the time it can be consumed varies tremendously.
This is due to varying weather and other variables such as exposure to seawater and, of course, if they have been resting on the ground for a long time before being picked up. When coconut water is exposed to light, it changes color; hence this “raw” variety of coconut water can have a slight pink tinge. The water inside a whole fresh coconut will eventually spoil. You can always tell if this is the case because it loses its delightfully fresh, slightly sweet flavor and becomes watery and sour.
A use-by date will be printed on any coconut water container. It’s usually best to keep track of this date because different brands and types will have varying lengths. For example, a Tetra Pak carton of Vita Coco has a one-year shelf life from the date of manufacture, and coconut water in a tin will stay longer.
How to Store Coconut Water?
Check the expiration date on the bottle to assess the quality of coconut water. Because coconuts have a short shelf life, this is critical. While it is still safe to consume coconut water after the expiration date, the flavor will fade, and the coconut flavor will begin to fade. This is a sign that it’s time to get rid of it. A container with an expiration date will probably last a few days.
Some coconut water can be kept in the pantry if pasteurized, preservative-free, and, most importantly, unopened. Others, such as the unpasteurized pink stuff, must be refrigerated to avoid spoilage. To preserve your coconut water at its best and prevent it from going bad too soon, keep it away from bright light and heat sources, regardless of the type.
Can you Freeze Coconut Water?
If you can’t finish your coconut water before it expires, you can freeze it, but it won’t taste as wonderful after it thaws. Please don’t even consider freezing a tin of the thing since it will expand and most likely explode in your freezer. Always pour the water from a tin into a freezer-safe container before freezing it. When you’re ready to drink it, enjoy it as a deliciously refreshing frosty drink, but keep in mind that it won’t taste as impressive as it should!
Consuming stale or contaminated coconut water might make you sick. Although it will not make you sick, it will make you feel queasy – trust me, I’ve experienced this! Even though I had kept it in the fridge for three weeks after opening it! I was on the verge of puking, but it went quickly. It can also work as a laxative, so you might find yourself racing to the bathroom at the most inconvenient times when you’re suffering from diarrhea.
Health Benefits of Coconut Water
Here are some health benefits of coconut water:
Good Source of Several Nutrients
Coconuts grow on trees scientifically designated as Cocos nucifera in tropical areas and are botanically classified as a fruit. The liquid in the middle of a young, green coconut is coconut water. It aids in the nourishment of the fruit. Some liquid remains in the coconut as it grows, which takes around 10–12 months, while the rest ripens into the solid white flesh known as coconut meat. Coconut water is extracted from young coconuts 6–7 months old, but it can also be found in older fruit. It yields around 1/2–1 cup from a typical green coconut. Coconut water is almost entirely water, with very little fat. It’s not to be confused with coconut milk, which combines grated coconut meat with water. Coconut milk has nearly half of its weight in water and is heavy in fat.
May have Antioxidant Properties
Free radicals are unstable chemicals produced during metabolism in your cells. When they are stressed or injured, their output increases. When your body is exposed to too many free radicals, it enters an oxidative stress state, which can harm your cells and raise your risk of disease. According to animal studies, coconut water includes antioxidants that may help alter free radicals to cause harm no longer. Insulin-resistant rats fed a high-fructose diet were given coconut water in a 2012 study. Blood pressure, lipids, and insulin levels dropped as free radical activity decreased.
May Help Lower Blood Sugar for People Living with Diabetes
Coconut water can lower blood sugar levels and enhance other health markers in diabetic animals. In a 2015 study, rats with diabetes who were given coconut water had better blood sugar management than the control group. According to the same study, the rat’s given coconut water had lower hemoglobin A1c, indicating improved long-term blood sugar control. Coconut water was also reported to lower blood glucose levels in animals with diabetes in a more recent study from 2021. Another added blood sugar benefit of coconut water is that it’s an excellent source of magnesium, which may help people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.
It may Help Prevent Kidney Stones.
Kidney stone prevention necessitates adequate hydration. Even though plain water is a decent option, two tiny studies suggest that coconut water is even better. Kidney stones form when calcium, oxalate, and other substances in your urine mix to form crystals. These crystals can then be combined to produce little stones. Kidney stones afflict roughly 12% of the world’s population, with certain people being more susceptible than others.
Coconut water prevented crystals from attaching to the kidneys and other areas of the urinary tract in rats with kidney stones in a 2013 study. It also decreased the formation of crystals in the urine. Coconut water increased the urine of potassium, chloride, and citrate in persons without kidney stones, according to a 2018 study including eight participants. This suggests that coconut water may help flush the system and reduce the risk of stones. Because one study used animals and the other is so tiny, much more research on the advantages of coconut water in reducing the risk of kidney stones is needed.
May Support Heart Health
Coconut water may assist in lowering the risk of heart disease. Researchers fed rodents a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet in a previous study from 2008. They also gave one group a lot of coconut water to drink (4 ml per 100 grams of body weight). The coconut water group saw a drop in cholesterol and triglyceride levels after 45 days, similar to the effects of a cholesterol-lowering statin medication. It’s important to remember that this was a very high dose, and it’s the equivalent of a 150-pound (68-kg) individual drinking 91 ounces (2.7 liters) of coconut water every day in human proportions. According to a 2005 study, coconut water may help decrease blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure, although further research is needed in this area.
Beneficial after Prolonged Exercise
Coconut water may be the ideal drink for rehydrating and replenishing electrolytes lost during physical activity. Electrolytes are minerals that serve various functions in the body, including maintaining fluid balance. Potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium are some of the most important electrolytes. Several studies have revealed that coconut water may be more beneficial than water for rehydration after exercise because it contains electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. In fact, on a hot day in 2014, a small Brazilian study discovered that coconut water boosted exercise capacity more than water or a sports drink.
Conclusion
There is also an expiration date on coconut water. However, you can drink coconut water after it has passed its best-by date as long as it hasn’t been opened. It should be kept in a cool, dry place and out of the sun. It should be consumed within three to five days, but it should be discarded immediately if the coconut is spoiled. If you’re unsure, try sniffing and tasting it.
When purchasing coconut water, it’s essential to check the dates on the packaging. This can affect the quality of the product. If the coconut is opened, its liquid should be clear and not lumped. If it is opened, it should be refrigerated immediately. However, if the coconut is already opened, it’s best to discard it. If it’s not open, it’s probably contaminated with bacteria.
