Why is Coconut Water classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The beverage is deemed ultra‑processed because its formulation combines many refined ingredients, preservatives, and flavor enhancers that are not present in a natural coconut extract. It lists eight food additives: sulfite (E200), sodium nitrite (E250), sorbic acid (E316), citric acid (E330), tartaric acid (E334), xanthan gum (E415), and two forms of cellulose (E460 and E460ii).

How does the salt content in this coconut water affect a hypertensive diet?

With 0.78 g of salt per 100 g (about 780 mg), the drink provides roughly one‑third of the WHO’s recommended maximum daily sodium intake, which can raise blood pressure and counteract efforts to manage hypertension, so individuals with high blood pressure should limit consumption.

Is this coconut water suitable for vegan or gluten‑free diets?

No. The product contains dairy ingredients such as parmesan cheese and whey, as well as egg yolk, which makes it unsuitable for vegans. It also includes enriched wheat flour in the crouton component, so it is not gluten‑free.

Fresh Express,Kit

Coconut Water

Beverages

Product Insights

Coconut Water, marketed as an unsweetened plant‑based beverage, belongs to the Unsweetened beverages group. It carries a Nutri‑Score of D and is classified in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category, reflecting its high fat (14 g), saturated fat (3 g) and salt (0.78 g) levels per 100 g, while sugars remain low at 1 g. The product also includes several allergens (egg, fish, milk, gluten, peanuts) and eight listed additives (E200, E250, E316, E330, E334, E415, E460, E460ii).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Added Sugars0 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average unsweetened beverage, this coconut water contains about seven times more fat (14 g vs 2.07 g), nearly double the saturated fat (3 g vs 1.46 g) and over three times the salt (0.78 g vs 0.24 g), while its sugar content is far lower (1 g vs 15.54 g).

Ingredients

VEGETABLE (ROMAINE LETTUCE), DRESSING (VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL), WATER, PARMESAN CHEESE (PART SKIM MILK, CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), EGG YOLK, DIJON MUSTARD (DISTILLED VINEGAR, WATER, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, WHITE WINE, CITRIC ACID, TURMERIC, TARTARIC ACID, SPICES), DISTILLED VINEGAR 2%, DRIED GARLIC, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, SUGAR, ANCHOVY PASTE (ANCHOVIES, SALT, WATER), SALT, MOLASSES, SPICE, ANCHOVY POWDER (MALTODEXTRIN, ANCHOVY EXTRACT, SALT), XANTHAN GUM, GROUND MUSTARD), BACON (BACON CURED WITH WATER, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATES (PRESERVATIVE), SODIUM ERYTHORBATE (PRESERVATIVE), SODIUM NITRITE (PRESERVATIVE), MAY CONTAIN SUGAR, BROWN SUGAR AND/OR SMOKE FLAVORING), CROUTONS (ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (ENRICHED WITH NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), CANOLA OIL, SALT, WHEY, SUGAR, YEAST, GARLIC POWDER, DEHYDRATED PARSLEY, SPICES, NATURAL FLAVOR, MALTODEXTRIN), CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES, POWDERED CELLULOSE (PREVENTS CAKING), SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE)).

84%

35%

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