Coconut water is one of nature’s most hydrating fluids.  This water comes from the inside of a pre-mature coconut before it matures and turns this water into milk.

I always prefer this hydrating water over any sports drink.  It is lower in calories, higher in potassium, and of course lower in sugar.  Not to mention it is all-natural and does not contain chemicals.

Here is a great side by side of the sport drink VS water:

From an all-natural standpoint, Coconut water provides everything above without the addition of supplements or synthetic ingredients.

There is actually a STUDY that shows that coconut water can be used intravenously for short-term hydration!  How much more natural can you get?

Do you think that anyone would be brave enough to attempt that with a sports drink?

Now looking at Gatorade, there is an ingredient list full of man made products.  Here is what I pulled from Gatorade’s website.  This is the list from their Orange Thirst Quencher.

Ingredients:

WATER, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, GUM ARABIC, SUCROSE ACETATE ISOBUTYRATE, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, YELLOW 6

Then we look at coconut water…

Ingredients:

COCONUT WATER

A lot of people say one of the sole purposes of Gatorade is the addition of the sugar and carbs… which is a great point.  You really need the extra carbs during continuous and strenuous activity (i.e. soccer tournament in the heat).  Even then, I would recommend high carb snacks with plenty of water and coconut water.

As a person who is nutrition conscious and plays soccer, I see coconut water as a great way to hydrate and prevent cramps.