Is Coconut Water Good For You?

I'd like to drink his coconuts...

Not ten minutes ago, I found a young coconut - popped a knife into it, and filled up a glass of fresh coconut water. Of course, you need not travel to Hawaii to get coconut water; it has become increasingly popular (many people swear by it) and coconut water can be found in many grocery stores including Whole Foods.

But all the hype begs the question: Is coconut water actually good for you?

First things first, coconut water isn’t coconut milk. Coconut water is found in unripe coconuts. As the coconut ripens, the milk becomes part of the coconut’s meat. Coconut milk is processed from this high-fat, high-calorie meat - and so it’s quite different in terms of both flavor and nutritional content.

Coconut milk is high in flavor, but also low in calories and sugars.

Many nutritionists consider coconut water to be nature’s sports drink - and a great alternative to beverages like Gatorade or Powerade. Like traditional sports drinks, coconut water contains water, carbohydrates and electrolytes. But unlike sports drinks, it contains none of the added artificial flavors, refined sugars or coloring. In other words, coconut water is a step up from sports drinks - though, keep in mind, sports drinks are really only needed during prolonged exercise.

Coconut water is also high in potassium. In fact, coconut water has more potassium than a banana! And, as such, many of the health benefits often associated with coconut water (i.e., muscle performance, heart health, kidney cleansing, etc.) are really just a result of the high potassium content. But potassium can be found in lots of fruits and veggies - and often with more fiber than coconut water.

Bottom line: There’s nothing magic about coconut water; it’s simply a delicious, low-calorie alternative that can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. It’s great to drink after a hard workout (and definitely a huge upgrade from sugar drinks like soda) - but, at the end of the day, nothing beats good, old-fashioned water.

About Davey Wavey

Davey Wavey is a certified personal trainer and YouTube sensation with more than 250 million video views. For Davey's fitness tips and secrets, sign up for his free monthly newsletter - or download any of his affordable and effective workout programs.

Comments

  1. In certain people, excessive fructose consumption can lead to diarrhea. Coconut water can have enough fructose to trigger this reaction in sensitive people.

  2. I’ve tried using coconut water as a replacement for other sport drinks when I’m doing longer runs (anything from 10 milers to a marathon), and find that it’s fine to drink while it’s cold, but becomes hard to stomach (tastes ‘icky’) as it warms up, which is inevitable when I’m out running for 2+ hours). Even though it goes down easier when warm, I’d really like to ditch Gatorade… any thoughts on other natural ways to hydrate/get electrolytes while running?

  3. Hey Davey, I thinking spotted a typo…

    Where you have “Coconut milk is high in flavor, but also low in calories and sugars.” I think you mean ‘water’ not ‘milk’?

    All the best

    David xx

  4. Here in the Philippines, you can get coconut drink so easy. You can buy it at a very cheap price as well. There are many street vendors and pushcart vendors selling it.

  5. in coconut water thats a lot of sodium (252 mg) per serving (8 oz, 240 ml).. more than 2x the amount in the same size serving of gatorade (80 oz, 240 ml)…

    is this a concern? should it be? jw..

    ~cheers…

    coconut water nutrition label:
    http://quitehealthy.com/nutrition-facts/food-labels/label121191.gif

    gatorade nutrition label:
    http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/replicate/EXID35841/images/GatoradeFacts.jpg

  6. christopher says:

    some people are allergic to this-i am-even a coconut chocolate bar-nice idea-i will just pass on this.something from Hawaii-Kona Coffee-or pineapple-the fruit-that i could consume.

  7. Xyyachan says:

    “I’d like to drink his coconuts” XD ohmygosh Davy I love you okay cx

Trackbacks

  1. […] water. Gatorade can’t touch nature’s own secret sports drink recipe! Coconut water contains all the electrolytes and carbohydrates you need, but without the artificial flavors, refined sugars or coloring found in manufactured sports […]

  2. […] Coconut water is nature’s sports drink and another great […]

  3. […] these low or no-calorie options provide some benefits, traditional sports drinks - or even coconut water - are a much smarter choice. About Davey Wavey Davey Wavey is a certified personal trainer […]