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Posts tagged coconut water
Cool Down with Coconut Water?
011 months ago
by Stephy
in Health/Nutrition
Cool Down with Coconut Water? – Dr. Weil.
If you have a choice between soda and natural coconut water — Natural Coconut Water is it! It is expensive but if you like it and can afford it — it’s a heck of a lot better than Gatorade!
Coconut water is all the rage these days. For the record, real coconut water is the clear juice stored inside young, green coconuts. It has long been a popular drink in the tropics. I understand that the U.S. market has grown from near zero five years ago to $50 million today, which suggests that some very clever marketing has been at work. In addition to being promoted as a sports drink, coconut water has been touted as a hangover recovery, an immune system booster and natural protection against cancer. I’ve seen no convincing research supporting any of these claims.
The defensible selling points for coconut water are that it is cholesterol-free, low in calories, and rich in potassium, providing 569 mg in a typical serving, almost twice the amount in a banana. Ads say that you lose potassium when you exercise strenuously and must replace it. In fact, you lose more sodium than potassium while sweating your way through a vigorous workout, and you can replace both of those minerals by eating some fruits or vegetables after your workout. I don’t believe that there’s a proven need for any kind of sports drinks after working out, but I do recommend drinking lots of water when you exercise strenuously – more than you think you need.
I don’t see any great advantage to coconut water other than the fact that it is natural (although I’ve read that sugar is added to some brands) and doesn’t have the additives found in some sports drinks. However, it is expensive – $2 to $3 for 11 ounces. And it is also an acquired taste. Obviously, coconut water wouldn’t be selling as well as it is if some people didn’t love it, although some individuals may be drinking it solely because they think it is good for them. Some describe the taste as metallic. When I’m in the tropics, I enjoy drinking the water from whole coconuts. To me, the packaged stuff sold here does not taste nearly as fresh or delicious.
Coconut Water. Have you tried it?
01 year ago
Coconut Water. Have you tried it?
There are a ton of benefits to Coconut Water. It is high in potassium, contains natural sugars and has a lot less sodium that sports drinks, It’s a natural way to hydrate instead of drinking sports drinks like Gatorade. It’s got a bit different texture and consistency than water but it really does the job of hydration. I don’t replace water with this – I just drink it before and after a long run outside – especially in this heat. You can get unflavored coconut water and now there are a ton of flavors like passionfruit,, peach and mango. Give it a try – you may find a new favorite fitness drink.
Even Madonna - who is known for her dedication and commitment to health and fitness has become a fan of it and has reportedly invested in Vita Coco, a maker of coconut water. Other celebs have also been seen drinking it as well. Whether a marketing ploy or not – it definitely is a trend that is taking off.
You can buy coconut water at many main stream stores like Wegmans in the health food section. If you do try it, let me know what you think!
Here is some overall information about Coconut Water:
“It’s a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It’s the fluid of life, so to speak.” In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water – siphoned directly from the nut – to give emergency plasma trasfusions to wounded soldiers.
Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas – once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.
- Coconut Water is More Nutritious than whole milk – Less fat and NO cholesterol!
- Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice – Much lower calories
- Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk- It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother’s milk
- Coconut water is naturally sterile — Water permeates though the filtering husk!
- Coconut water is a universal donor– Its identical to human blook plasma
- Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage – The same level we have in our blood.
- Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV.
“Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically Pure, full of Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to ward off fatigue… and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural!”, according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation’s Food & Agriculture Organization.
Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.
Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg!
Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.
Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.
