Coconut Water vs Sports Energy Drinks

At 50 calories per cup, coconut water gives you an enormous energy boost...the natural way.

I get mine in the powder form (you may have to purchase it in this form online). It's cheaper that the prepackaged version, and you aren't cluttering up the landfills with containers.

So why Drink Coconut Water?

Coconut water hydrates us even better than ordinary drinking water. Unlike water, coconut water contains:

• Dietary fiber
• Enzymes
• Vitamin C
• Necessary Minerals for working out (magnesium and potassium), just like your expensive sports drinks full of chemicals and colorants
• Amino acids
• Coconut water also is also low in calories, chlorides and cholesterol.

Whereas sports drinks usually contain some, or all of the following: high fructose corn syrup, sucrose syrup, sucralose and acesulfame potassium, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), niacinamide (vitamin B3), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), alpha tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E), Monopotassium phosphate (potassium), salt and sodium citrate, Citric acid, "natural flavor" (stay away from anything that doesn't list what natural flavoring means) or "natural and artificial flavor", Preservatives and Emulsifiers: Calcium disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, yellow 5, red 40, blue 

Who wants to drink chemicals?

********Things You Should Know About Coconut Water********

Coconut water is high in potassium, an important mineral and electrolyte needed for many bodily functions. Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, maintain pH levels and maintain blood pressure. Potassium also regulates your heartbeat by helping conduct nerve impulses and muscle contractions. However, if potassium levels exceed normal limits in the body a condition called hyperkalemia can occur. So if you have a diet high in potassium or are taking potassium supplements, you should ask your physician because coconut water is very rich in this mineral and it could lead to a potassium overdose called hyperkalemia.

The symptoms of hyperkalemia are:

• Decreased blood pressure
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Possible irregular heart beat
• Tingling sensation in the hands, feet and tongue
• Severe cases respiratory failure or flaccid paralysis in the arms and legs

Coconut water is an excellent alternative to chemical laden sports drinks. Just remember, drink coconut water, not coconut milk...and stay away from those expensive sports drinks!

Update!!!

I have been asked quite a few times already where you can purchase the coconut powder for making your sports drinks. Make sure you get the correct powder. It will state for water. Nativas is the brand I have locally. You can purchase this brand from Amazon. Please let me know if you have any questions!

"Fun fact: during the Pacific War, coconut water was used in IVs and plasma transfusions, to save many lives. Turns out that the contents of natural coconut water are identical to that in human plasma, making it a kind of “universal donor”! It is still used that way in countries that have limited access to medical aid".