How Well Does Coconut Water Hydrate the Body?

It has been asserted by proponents of coconut water that it is a hydration powerhouse that will hydrate better than water thanks to its naturally occurring sugar and electrolytes; however, is it truly all that it is cracked up to be?

Coconut water is the naturally occurring liquid that comes from within a coconut. Nutritionally speaking, one cup of coconut water has approximately 45 calories, 70 milligrammes of sodium, 500 milligrammes of potassium, and 11 grammes of carbs.

Studies that were conducted on the benefits of coconut water included those that were conducted on the effect of coconut water on rehydration after exercise. These studies revealed that there is very little difference between regular water, coconut water, and typical sports beverages.

There was not much of a difference observed between regular coconut water, coconut water made from concentrate, bottled water, and sports drinks in terms of their ability to rehydrate the body, according to the findings of a study that compared the hydrating characteristics of these four types of beverages. However, it was discovered that coconut water seemed to induce less nausea, less fullness, and was easier to eat in larger quantities than either the sports drink or ordinary water. This was the conclusion reached by the study.

A study that was published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that while coconut water is superior to plain water in terms of its ability to replenish body fluids, it was found that while athletes in general prefer the taste of sports drinks, coconut water was a close second. Coconut water, according to Nancy Clark, MS, RD, a sports nutritionist and registered dietitian, cannot rehydrate the body unless a large quantity of it is consumed.

There is no such thing as a miracle cure or elixir of youth, despite the fact that coconut water may be a healthy and natural alternative to drinking carbonated drinks and does offer some benefits, especially for athletes that are training vigorously for 90 minutes or more, there is no such thing as a miracle product or magic potion. When we are dehydrated, the thing that the body needs the most is good old-fashioned, unadulterated water to drink because it is the least expensive, most readily available, and what the body requires the most.

If you do not like the taste of water that comes from the tap, it is a good idea to make the investment in a water cooler that can supply you with pure, filtered water that is both cold and chilled. To ensure that you always have access to clean water at the push of a button, you can fill your sports water bottle from the water cooler and take it with you when you go to the gym or for other workouts away from home.