Coconut water is one of the most talked about drinks in gyms and wellness centers these days. There is such a buzz about it that people are calling it the miracle drink and saying it’s the only thing you should drink before or after a workout! Coconut water is sold everywhere. It has even been endorsed recently by the creator of Bikram Yoga, Bikram Choudhury, who touts it as the perfect drink after a 90 minute Hot Yoga class.
Being a dietitian, I was skeptical that coconut water is all it is cracked up to be. So I went on a little mission to see what the real deal is. First I actually bought some coconut water. I purchased the O.N.E brand of coconut water which has only 60 calories per 11 oz serving. That is really pretty low when compared to other “sports drinks.” So far, so good.
Coconut water has been said to help lower blood pressure. It does have 670 mg of potassium per serving which is more than a banana. Potassium does help regulate blood pressure however anyone diagnosed with high blood pressure can’t rely on coconut water to help control it. It also has some calcium, magnesium and phosphorus which are good for after a workout.
Another “benefit” of coconut water is that it is great for rehydrating after a workout. The body loses water and electrolytes during an intense workout. Coconut water is fine for replenishing your lost water however it contains no sodium which will be lost during a workout where you sweat a lot. Therefore, there are better choices for rehydrating.
“Tastes Great”! The labels and commercials say that coconut water tastes great. I don’t particularly love the taste but I could probably get used to it. Some companies offer different flavors of coconut water which I have not tasted yet. You can give them all a try and decide this one for yourself.
Some people claim that coconut water can raise HDL or good cholesterol. Research has shown that eating coconut can raise HDL however more research needs to be done on the benefits of coconut water and cholesterol. I couldn’t find any studies that showed coconut water effecting cholesterol positively or negatively.
Lastly, people claim coconut water is great for a hangover! The fact that it’s a good rehydrater is probably the reason for the claim. The water, potassium and other electrolytes make it a good choice if you are dehydrated after a night of partying. It might help cure a hangover headache which is usually due to dehydration. The best part is that it is much lower in calories than a greasy meal or a bloody mary!
Overall, there is nothing wrong with coconut water. I think the taste could be a little better but you may like it. It’s definitely not a miracle drink. It will not lower your blood pressure or cure cancer. It will rehydrate you and give you a healthy dose of potassium. However, most of us don’t work out hard enough to really need a “sports” drink. If you drink water and eat a balanced meal within a few hours of your workout, you will be just fine. So, the verdict is…..if you like it, drink it!
- Jennifer
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Labels: healthy eating, Jennifer
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Love coconut water. I drink Vita Coco all the time.