Coconut Water Rehydration Following Exercise
Rehydration volume, electrolyte composition, and palatability are all crucial to a person/athlete's performance and hydration following exercise. Current research suggests Coconut Water can rehydrate just as effectively as the leading Sports Drinks (ie. Gatorade). If you are keen to learn about Coconut Water as a rehydration beverage.. keep reading!
Benjamin Franklin once said, "When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water" ...or in this case, Coconut Water.
This research article (attached) focuses on explaining the scientific benefits of effectiveness of consuming coconut water, as a natural electrolyte rehyration beverage following exercise; rather than leaning for the typical commercial electrolyte sports drink (ie. Gatorade or Powerade).
The obvious benefits of Coconut Water, are that not only does it contain sodium, a key electrolyte, in helping 'drive' one's thirst to drink, but also in helping retain water in the body ...but Coconut Water, also contains other important electrolytes that contribute to rehydration on a cellular level - potassium! It contains potassium in massive amounts! And while we still don't fully understand how it is that potassium contributes to rehydration, it is likely it helps more than we ever thought.
Another key component of rehydration beverages, that is critical for athlete's, is that a drink must contain carbohydrates - approximately 4-6%. In Coconut Water, the carbohydrate is natural fructose sugar, while in the commercial sports drink, the carbohydrate is glucose (or sucrose ie. table sugar). Coconut Water contains all the right amounts, just the way it was made; where in reality, the Sports Drinks have the added sucrose to 1. yes, give athlete's some form of carbohydrate (cellular) and perceived energy! BUT also 2. mask the high salt (sodium) content to make the drink more palatable.
Download the pdf. below to read the latest research paper 'Rehydration After Exercise-Induced Fluid Losses: Comparing Flavored Water, Coconut Water, and Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Sports Beverage' , and decide yourself (what rehydration beverage is the best for you)!
Happy reading!
In happiness and health,
Dr Kristyn Bell, MD/MBBS, Sport & Exercise Physician Registrar