Coconut water is the natural juice found in green coconuts. Over the past few years, coconut water has become a popular alternative to electrolyte-enhanced sports and energy drinks.
“This is a major focus of the marketing for coconut water,” Dr. Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab told the Huffington Post. “When you start making claims comparing it to sports drinks, you expect them to at least deliver on what they are promising. People should be aware that the labels are not accurate on some of the products, and they shouldn’t count on coconut water for serious rehydration.”
The good news for coconut water is that many nutrition experts suggest that most people do not need electrolyte replenishment after a workout. Licensed nutritionist Monica Reinagel told the Huffington Post that only those people who have been participating in vigorous physical exercise for over an hour need to worry about replacing lost minerals from sweating.
“If you’re a marathoner, if you’re doing Bikram yoga — and if this is really about sweat replacement, relying on coconut water to replenish your lost sodium is not a good idea,” Reinagel said. People who engage in moderate activity, like running on a treadmill or participating in a group exercise class, water is substantial for rehydration.
While coconut water can be a good source of potassium, people can easily get their potassium requirements with fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, dates and avocados. ConsumerLabs suggested that people should drink coconut water if they enjoy the beverage, but not rely on it as a source of substantial nutrients.
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