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In recent years, health-conscious people from around the world have embraced all things coconut. Beyond plain coconut oil, products like coconut sugar, coconut flour, coconut cream, coconut milk, and coconut flakes are widely available. Most recently, a product called coconut aminos is now gaining popularity.
Many people allergic to soy sauce enjoy coconut aminos instead. It is also a competitive product to Bragg Liquid Aminos. Let’s take a look at this newest addition to the coconut cornucopia and see how it stacks up in comparison.
How Coconut Aminos Are Made
A single company is manufacturing many of these new coconut foods flooding the market. That company is Coconut Secret. Bragg has also jumped into the market, a company best known for the production of liquid aminos and raw apple cider vinegar.
Coconut Secret
The process of making aminos from coconut according to Coconut Secret is fairly simple. It involves cutting coconut tree flowers to prevent the production of fruit and then tapping the tree to collect the flowing sap. Vats of sap gradually ferment with additional salt with the final product transformed into coconut aminos.
What’s more, the product contains no additives or preservatives. It’s that simple.
Bragg
Bragg is now making a coconut aminos product too. However, it is not fermented like the Coconut Secret alternative. The ingredients are organic coconut tree sap, distilled water, sea salt, and organic apple cider vinegar.
Coconut Aminos Taste
Aminos from fermented coconut sap has a nice balance of salty, a hint of sweet, and umami. Surprisingly not a hint of coconut flavor is detectable.
Even if made via fermentation, coconut aminos are not raw although it used to be when new to the market. This is because it is pasteurized to render it shelf-stable. Coconut Secret explains why:
We have now arrived at the point that it is no longer feasible for us to maintain the “Raw” status of this product, and have made the decision to implement a brief pasteurization process. This process simply involves heating the Coconut Aminos to 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds during bottling, and then tipping the bottles upside down for one minute to sterilize the air space between the glass and the cap. Unfortunately this slows down our bottling capacity, but it is the only way that we can stabilize this product without adding any other ingredients possibly affecting the delicate flavor profile of this product. (1)
The good news is that this additional processing doesn’t affect the flavor, nutrition, or anything else about the product.
Coconut Aminos versus Soy Sauce
There are a number of reasons someone may prefer coconut aminos over soy sauce. First, GM soy is the source for most soy sauces in North America. As a result, those who consume it risk the GMO health dangers associated with it.
Also, a lot of soy sauces contain all sorts of questionable ingredients beyond just the conventional soybeans. This includes additives, preservatives, stabilizers and the like.
In comparison, coconut aminos are just coconut aminos. Products with ingredient lists that are short, clear and unambiguous as to the contents are preferable to those that are not.
Second, some people are allergic to soy but still want to enjoy dishes that require the flavors that soy sauce creates. Coconut aminos are a great option for such individuals and such dishes.
Most traditional soy sauces contain gluten (wheat), so coconut aminos offers an easy gluten-free option. Although gluten-free soy sauce options are now available, the fact that coconut aminos are both soy and grain-free makes this choice appealing to the Paleo community.
In addition, those on gut healing protocols such as the GAPS Diet, Autoimmune Paleo, or SCD (the Specific Carb Diet) can also enjoy it. (2)
Finally, coconut aminos contains less salt than soy sauce. Roughly two-thirds less in fact, which is significant! For people who need to watch or reduce sodium intake, coconut aminos are a great option.
Coconut Aminos versus Liquid Aminos
Compared to liquid aminos, the coconut version is a decidedly better choice. Although Bragg Liquid Aminos contains less sodium than soy sauce, aminos from coconut is a much more desirable choice. According to Dr. Kaayla Daniel:
Liquid aminos are an unfermented liquid soy product invented by health food pioneer Paul Bragg and is a soy sauce alternative preferred by many health aficionados. Its main claim to fame has been a lower sodium content than tamari or shoyu.
As a hydrolyzed [nonGMO soy] protein, liquid aminos contain plenty of MSG produced as a residue of the hydrolyzing process. It also contains aspartic acid, another brain damaging excitotoxin, which is a component of aspartame as well.
The takeaway: No bragging rights for liquid aminos! (3)
MSG in Soy Sauce, Liquid Aminos and Coconut Aminos
Both soy sauce and liquid aminos contain MSG or glutamate. Coconut aminos do as well if fermented. The difference is that traditional soy sauce and coconut aminos (from Coconut Secret) contain glutamate via a natural fermentation process. It appears that Bragg coconut aminos do not contain glutamate as it is not fermented with no added MSG or MSG containing ingredients.
In comparison, liquid aminos contain MSG derived from the highly industrialized process of hydrolyzing soy protein. Hence, the glutamate in fermented coconut aminos is safer and likely better tolerated than the manufactured MSG in liquid aminos.
For those susceptible even to the small amounts of glutamate or histamines in fermented foods, the unfermented Bragg coconut liquid aminos is a better choice than Coconut Secret.
Health Benefits of Coconut Aminos?
Some websites attribute a wide and large array of health benefits to coconut amino consumption. The problem is, the studies that support these claims are studies on whole coconuts, coconut oil or other coconut products, not the aminos!
As of this writing, it appears that there are no known studies on the health benefits of coconut aminos specifically. Hence, beware of false health claims floating around about it.
Coconut aminos contain no medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) one of the most beneficial macronutrients found in coconuts. In fact, they contain no fat at all. As a result, it seems highly unlikely that many of the positive benefits of coconuts and coconut oil apply to coconut aminos.
This doesn’t mean that the product is without health benefits, just that it would be highly improper to attribute the health benefits shown in certain studies for coconut oil and coconut products as applicable to the consumption of coconut aminos!
In addition, a person would typically use a rather small amount of coconut aminos for any given dish. Thus, given the very small amount consumed in a day or even a week, the impact on health is probably negligible.
Enzymes and Probiotics
Some organic and traditionally brewed soy sauces are unpasteurized (this is the brand I’ve used for years), which is an edge nutritionally if you are using it for dipping at the table with sushi and related dishes.
But, some dishes that use soy sauce are cooked after it is added. In that case, using enzyme and probiotic-rich unpasteurized soy sauce isn’t any better than coconut aminos.
Sustainability
Coconut oil is a sustainable product when farmers manage the groves according to green, environmentally friendly practices. But the plethora of new coconut products flooding the market, especially coconut sugar and sap (and thus also the aminos), some say may not be. (4)
Coconut Secret considers its product environmentally friendly. It even claims that it is more sustainable than coconut oil. Here’s what the company website says on the matter:
The most remarkable blessing about tapping a coconut tree, is that once tapped, it flows its sap continuously for the next 20 years. From a sustainability viewpoint, the harvestable energy production from tapping coconut trees for their sap (which yields 5,000 liters per hectare), rather than allowing them to produce fruit, is 5-7 times higher per hectare than coconut oil production from mature coconuts. (5)
No information on the sustainability aspects of Bragg coconut aminos is currently available from what I could find at the present time. It is a good sign, however, that the coconut aminos come from organic coconut trees.
Go Ahead and Enjoy!
There is no reason not to use coconut aminos and high-quality soy sauce and enjoy both. Skip the liquid aminos, however!
It is especially important to skip restaurant soy sauces and use your own for takeout meals.
Coconut aminos have a similar but slightly different flavor profile than soy sauce allowing an easy change-up for the same dish. However, don’t expect it to be the perfect replacement for all dishes.
For those with allergies or other soy related issues, coconut aminos provides a perfectly acceptable alternative, and one that you can consume liberally and with good feelings!
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Braggs coconut aminos? I’ll definitely check this at my favorite store later..
My go-to coconut aminos brand has always been Coconut Secret, but when Trader Joes started selling their version for $2.99 it was hard to not want to cut corners a bit with the price.
Is this an acceptable brand for coconut aminos? From what I read on the label it seems fine, but maybe you have some insight on this that you can share.
Wow! I didn’t know Trader Joe’s had come out with their own brand. Thank you for sharing this information. I just checked and the ingredients looks great. Organic coconut sap, water and sea salt.
Two things to check … the water should be filtered (I would call and ask them about that). Also, Coconut Secret’s coconut aminos has no water added and so perhaps Trader Joe’s is watered down? Maybe that’s why it’s cheaper. You might be better off and it might be cheaper still to buy Coconut Secret and dilute with a bit of filtered water yourself.
Also, it seems to be fermented … this is fine and actually preferable unless you are sensitive to glutamates or have a histamine sensitivity, in which case you might wish to use Bragg Coconut Aminos instead. Hope that helps!
Good article and thank u! I have often wondered and currently have both the coconut aminos and tarmai in frig.
HI! I’m not sure my comment went through before, but I wanted to let you know there is another amazing brand and high-quality Coconut Aminos on the market. Big Tree Farms is producing it, and I’m sure you know plenty about them to know they are incredible. Just thought you might be interested! Thanks for all the awesome information you provide.
We are also using the Big Tree Farm coconut aminos.
Sarah, I am so glad you are safe. You definately were on my mind and sent positive thoughts. Thank you for the information on a substitute for a soya sauce. I grew up with soya sauce. I have been using the Coconut secret but I most appreciate that if there is a sensitivity that the Braggs would be a better option if sensitive to glutamates or have a histamine sensitivity. I am always very grateful for your research and you are a trusted resource. Thank you so very much!
I’ve been using the brand “Naked Coconuts”, up here in Canada. They make coconut sap and coconut aminos. It says it has no MSG. I like it better than Coconut Secret.
We’ve been using Big Tree Farms brand also and love it!
I’ve been recommending Coconut Secret coconut aminos to my friends & clients for several years. We use it in our own home as well. It’s an excellent alternative to soy sauce. It is nice to know that it is also reasonably healthy. Thank you Sarah, as always, for breaking down the science behind our favorite foods!!!
So if the Coconut Secret brand is pasteurized, then are the fermentation benefits lost anyway and therefore one would be better off with the Braggs Coconut Aminos and therefore avoid the msg? Msg confuses me…..if it’s naturally occurring is it bad? Or only for those sensitive to it? Thanks!
Bragg’s is only a better choice if a person is sensitive to natural glutamate or histamines that would be present in Coconut Secret. Even if pasteurized, these components would still be there. Otherwise, choose whichever one you like better. Personal preference in that case.
Thanks for this article; it’s news to me, and It made me curious.
I use San-J Organic Tamari; I compared Tamari and Coconut Aminos from their company websites as follows:
Organic Tamari: no wheat, non- GMO. gluten, free. 940mg sodium/T, 2g protein, 0 sugar, Iron 4%, Organic Alcohol as preservative, and great flavor.
Coconut Aminos: no wheat, non- GMO. gluten, free. 270mg sodium/T or 90mg/T sodium(depending where on website one reads), zero phytoestrogens, 0g protein, 1g sugar, C.Secrets website claims Aminos have a wide range of minerals & vitamins but such is NOT included on the bottle nutrition label — What is one to believe?
Tamari compares fairly favorably depending on one’s needs or restrictions, agreed?
Plus, Tamari actually has some amino acids (protein)!
I was agreeing with everything up until the MSG bit… There is no danger in aspartic acid by itself, the body makes aspartic acid.. Fermented coconut aminos/soy sauce is the opposite of Bragg’s liquid aminos, which is much worse for you. Most foods contain aspartic acid, glutamic acid, naturally occurring MSG (tomatoes). The problems comes down to the “pre” digested aminos, eg hydrolyzed, fermented.
Bragg’s Liquid Aminos is made by treating soybeans with hydrochloric acid to create free amino acids. Keywords here are free amino acids running around.
Just felt this should be said.
Well if it’s fermented with a bacteria or yeast then it will contain MSG.
You recommended a a Soyu sauce under “(this is the brand I’ve used for years), “, and it takes you to an Amazon link. It is $90.00 for a small 10oz. bottle! Isn’t that a bit over the top?
It’s $15/bottle at my healthfood store. I send you to Amazon so you can see what the bottle looks like. Buy it wherever you can find it most affordably!
is this brand ok? bigtreefarms.com/products/coco-aminos
I’m not familiar with this brand. I have not seen it in my area.
is this Ojio brand ok? ultimatesuperfoods.com/Store/Products/Food/ojio-coconut-aminos/COCAMI/COAM10
Not familiar with this brand. I haven’t seen it in my area.
According to the best selling “Medical Medium” MSG literally eats your brain…killing millions of brain cells. I think I will stay away from all of these. I will not be a guinea pig. I know for a fact that amino acids of any kind generate a lot of phlegm in some people and I personally feel drained the next morning. I always question what I ate since I eat clean and will eliminate anything new I had tried. Not a fan of nutritional yeast or amino acids…my feelings tell me more than a doctor can.
‘”The most remarkable blessing about tapping a coconut tree, is that once tapped, it flows its sap continuously for the next 20 years. From a sustainability viewpoint, the harvestable energy production from tapping coconut trees for their sap (which yields 5,000 liters per hectare), rather than allowing them to produce fruit, is 5-7 times higher per hectare than coconut oil production from mature coconuts.”‘
I don’t understand, and would love to have this clarified. What I’m reading from this is that this method is overall not sustainable. The tree is being prevented from making it’s fruit. The sap will eventually run out after 20 years, and we will have one “hectare”, or 2.47105 of dead trees that can’t even produce fruit. What they would have only made are 1320.86 us liquid gallons. If this product is THE PRODUCT, and everyone will eventually start purchasing it, there will be alot of land that will have to be destroyed in order to plant these trees and make this. I honestly do not feel that this would be worth it.
Just an FYI but Bragg’s does not have less sodium than soy sauce or tamari (soy sauce without wheat). Bragg’s lists their sodium count by teaspoon, while most soy sauce and tamari lists by tablespoon. At a glance Bragg’s looks like the better choice. Most organic (non gmo) tamari has 940mg sodium per tablespoon which is 313mg per teaspoon. Bragg’s has 340mg sodium per teaspoon. Organic non gmo soy sauce has 1020mg sodium per tablespoon which is also 340mg per teaspoon. Bragg’s is pulling the wool over our eyes. Regarding aminos, tamari has twice as much as Bragg’s. Bragg’s has 1/3 gram of protein amino acids while tamari has 2/3 gram protein amino acids. The amount is negligble, but they make it sound better than it is. Of course coconut aminos really do contain much less sodium. However, they vary by brand. Bragg’s coconut aminos have 140mg sodium per teaspoon while Coconut Secret contains 90mg sodium per teaspoon.
Great info, thanks! We use Niulife cocount amino, an Aussie not-for-profit company making great products. We’ve shared this great article in our Fb group for our members to benefit from 🙂