Concentrated coconut water is a concentrated form of coconut water, obtained by evaporating a portion of the water from fresh coconut water. This process removes a significant amount of water, leaving behind a concentrate that can be easily rehydrated to restore the natural coconut water. Concentrated coconut water is widely used in the food and beverage industry to produce refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks and in cosmetics for its hydrating and soothing properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Concentrated coconut water retains many of the beneficial characteristics of fresh coconut water, including:

• Electrolytes: It contains potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, which help rehydrate the body and maintain fluid balance.
• Natural sugars: Coconut water contains natural sugars, primarily fructose and glucose, which provide quick energy.
• Organic acids: It includes citric acid and ascorbic acid, which contribute to its mildly acidic taste and antioxidant properties.
• Amino acids: The amino acids found in coconut water support metabolism and muscle recovery.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Concentrated coconut water can appear as either a powder or a viscous liquid, depending on the concentration level.
• Odor: It has a fresh, characteristic coconut scent, similar to fresh coconut water.
• Solubility: When mixed with water, concentrated coconut water easily dissolves, restoring the natural coconut water.
• Color: When properly rehydrated, concentrated coconut water has a clear, slightly milky appearance.

Benefits and Functions

• Hydration: Coconut water is well known for its hydrating properties due to its electrolyte content, which helps maintain hydration balance in the body.
• Refreshing: It is commonly used in beverages as a natural alternative to sports drinks, thanks to its cooling and refreshing properties.
• Antioxidant: It contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which has antioxidant properties, helping to fight free radical damage.
• Digestive support: It can aid digestion due to its organic acids and its ability to regulate the electrolyte balance in the body.
• Soothing action: Coconut water also has soothing properties, making it useful in cosmetic applications like toners or treatments for irritated skin.

Applications

Food Industry

• Beverages: Concentrated coconut water is used to produce non-alcoholic drinks and fruit juices that are popular as refreshing and hydrating beverages.
• Supplements: It is used as an ingredient in dietary supplements for muscle recovery and hydration.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

• Skin moisturizer: Coconut water is a common ingredient in creams, lotions, and gels for the skin due to its hydrating and soothing properties.
• Hair care: It is used in hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners to nourish and strengthen the hair.
• Toners and masks: It can be included in facial toners and masks to refresh and purify the skin.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

• Biodegradability: Concentrated coconut water is a natural, biodegradable ingredient, making it environmentally friendly when disposed of properly.
• Sustainability: Coconuts are a renewable resource, and the production of concentrated coconut water tends to have a lower environmental impact compared to drinks made from synthetic water and sugars.
• Safety: Coconut water is generally considered safe for consumption and topical use. However, individuals with coconut allergies should avoid using products containing this ingredient.

Coconut studies

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention.  DebMandal M, Mandal S.  Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011 Mar;4(3):241-7. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60078-3.

(2) Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility and cytotoxicity of husk extract of Cocos nucifera and chlorhexidine as irrigating solutions against Enterococcus Faecalis, Prevotella Intermedia and Porphyromonas Gingivalis - An in-vitro study.  Kohli D, Hugar SM, Bhat KG, Shah PP, Mundada MV, Badakar CM.  J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2018 Apr-Jun;36(2):142-150. doi: 10.4103/JISPPD.JISPPD_1176_17

(3) Reduction of the DNA damages, Hepatoprotective Effect and Antioxidant Potential of the Coconut Water, ascorbic and Caffeic Acids in Oxidative Stress Mediated by Ethanol.  Bispo VS, Dantas LS, Chaves AB Filho, Pinto IFD, Silva RPD, Otsuka FAM, Santos RB, Santos AC, Trindade DJ, Matos HR.  An Acad Bras Cienc. 2017 Apr-Jun;89(2):1095-1109. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160581.

(4) Intravenous coconut water therapy in surgical practice.  Olurin EO, Durowoju JE.  West Afr Med J Niger Med Dent Pract. 1972 Oct;21(5):124-31.

(5) Involvement of monoaminergic systems in anxiolytic and antidepressive activities of the standardized extract of Cocos nucifera L.  Lima EBC, de Sousa CNS, Meneses LN, E Silva Pereira YF, Matos NCB, de Freitas RB, Lima NBC, Patrocínio MCA, Leal LKAM, Viana GSB, Vasconcelos SMM.  J Nat Med. 2017 Jan;71(1):227-237. doi: 10.1007/s11418-016-1053-6.

(6) Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural Oils for Skin-Barrier Repair: Ancient Compounds Now Backed by Modern Science. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018 Feb;19(1):103-117. doi: 10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1. 

(7) Deen A, Visvanathan R, Wickramarachchi D, Marikkar N, Nammi S, Jayawardana BC, Liyanage R. Chemical composition and health benefits of coconut oil: an overview. J Sci Food Agric. 2021 Apr;101(6):2182-2193. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10870. 

(8) Wallace TC. Health Effects of Coconut Oil-A Narrative Review of Current Evidence. J Am Coll Nutr. 2019 Feb;38(2):97-107. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2018.1497562. Epub 2018 Nov 5. PMID: 30395784.

Abstract. Coconut oil is a mainstream edible oil that is extracted from the kernel of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm. The two main types of coconut oil-copra oil and virgin coconut oil-have similar fatty acid profiles; however the latter contains higher amounts of some nutrients (e.g., vitamin E) and dietary bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols). There is increasing popularity for coconut oil products due to perceived health effects of certain medium-chain fatty acids; however, lauric acid (C12:0), the primary fatty acid found in coconut oil, has been suggested to behave as both a medium- and long-chain fatty acid from a metabolic standpoint. Furthermore, research on pure medium-chain fatty acids cannot be directly applied to coconut oil products since it encompasses a large profile of various fatty acids. This narrative review seeks to summarize the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the health effects of coconut oil products. Limited but consistent evidence supports the topical use for prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis, as well as in "oil pulling" for prevention of dental caries. Coconut oil products may also be useful in preventing hair damage due to protein loss during grooming processes and ultraviolet (UV) exposure; however, more studies are needed to confirm this effect. Limited evidence does not support use for prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease, bone loss, or glycemic control. Evidence on weight loss and cardiovascular disease warrants larger clinical intervention studies. Refined, bleached, and deodorized copra oil seems to have less of an impact on total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as compared to butter fat, but not cis unsaturated vegetable oils. In many instances, human clinical and observational studies are needed to confirm many claims on coconut oil products, which are largely based on animal and/or in vitro studies or studies of purified medium-chain fatty acids.