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.
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