Dive Brief:
- Carrington Farms is launching a coconut-based powder with 20 grams of protein per serving, according to Food Navigator. The vegan, organic product has just three ingredients: organic coconut powder, organic pumpkin powder, and organic pea powder.
- This is the latest coconut product for Carrington Farms. The company already sells coconut oil in jars, tubs, single-serve sachets, bottles and sprays. It has also developed blends of coconut oil with additional ingredients.
- Questions remain regarding coconut's health halo. There are concerns that coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which raises LDL — or "bad" — cholesterol.
Dive Insight:
The craze that started years ago with coconut water as a healthy alternative to sports drinks has grown into a full-fledged food trend. It has a broad perceived health halo by consumers — if not all nutritionists. Coconut products appeal to gluten-and dairy-free consumers while also riding the wave of interest in healthy fats.
But is coconut actually good for you? The American Heart Association doesn’t think so. The organization advises against consuming coconut oil due to its high saturated fat content, which is associated with higher LDL cholesterol. In fact, it has more saturated fat than butter, palm oil or even lard.
Coconut fans often counter with two studies linking medium-chain fatty acids with fat burning. However, coconut oil has just 14% medium-chain fatty acids, and the professor behind the studies has condemned the coconut industry for taking liberties with her research.
Still, this hasn’t stopped consumers from snatching up the many new coconut CPGs on store shelves. Seventy-two percent of Americans consider coconut to be a health food, so they in turn give a product with the ingredient a healthy halo of approval.
Coconut water continues to be a powerhouse in the plant-based waters market. Sales are expected to double from $2.7 billion in 2016 to $5.4 billion by 2020. Coconut has now been added to countless products, but appears to be thriving especially in the dairy aisle. Both Dannon and Chobani make coconut-flavored yogurt, and coconut milk varieties continue to be popular.
Nestle has added a coconut milk variety to its popular line of Coffee-mate creamers, and there are two types of Outshine frozen fruit bars with the ingredient. General Mills is adding coconut to a variety of CPGs, including LARABAR bites and Nature Valley Biscuits with Coconut Butter.
Coconut is also thriving as an ingredient in beauty products. It’s in everything from shampoo to face masks to lip balm. Coconut oil is also marketed as a lotion alternative to slather on after a shower, a use where where its high saturated fat content isn't a problem.