Birch tree sap, nature’s new super-drink

IT is being hailed as the new super-drink to replace coconut water in the gym bags of faddy fitness fans.

Birch water – sap tapped from the trees of Finland, Latvia and Lithuania in the spring – is coming to the high street.

Waitrose is to sell it on the basis that it is super-hydrating and can help cleanse the body of toxins.

Independent dieticians are less convinced, suggesting that a glass of tap water would be just as good in terms of hydrating the body.

Tap water would also certainly be cheaper than the UK brand of birch water, Sibberi, which costs £2.49 for 250ml.

The high cost is because collecting the clear tree sap or water is labour intensive and can only be done during a three-week window in early spring. Sibberi says it takes only a fraction of the sap from a tree as it draws water to promote growth and they ‘plug the hole back when we leave so that trees don’t even notice’.

It promotes the water on the basis it has a fraction of the calories found in coconut water at five per 100ml. It said: ‘Birch water has long been favoured across Nordic folk cultures as a spring detoxing elixir. Naturally diuretic it supports kidney and liver functions and speeds up the process of elimination of waste and weight loss. It tastes a little sweet and beautifully crisp, with a delightful aftertaste of the forest.’ Its co-founder Paul-Adrien Cormerais said: ‘ Coconut water has really opened the door for other tree waters to enter the market. We think birch water can be bigger.’

Wellbeing expert Akcelina Cvijetic, who has a private practice in Harley Street, said: ‘The birch tree has been called “the tree of life” and used as a medicinal plant for centuries throughout eastern and northern Europe as well as northern China.

‘Birch sap contains electrolytes such as potassium helping with hydration as well as flavonoids rich in antioxidant properties. However, it also contains sugars and commercial birch water may contain even higher amounts due to added sugars, so be aware and always read the labels’.