The Best Coconut Water and Its Undeniable Benefits.

Rihanna drinks it. Madonna drinks it. Gwyneth drinks it. But what are the actual healthy benefits behind the coconut water craze?
According to the statistics, launches of new coconut water products have quintupled since 2008 and products containing it have been taking off in international markets, as well. Drink experts suggest that you can gain health benefits by replacing your Gatorade or other artificially colored and/or sweetened sports drink with coconut water after your workout.
“Coconut water contains naturally high levels of electrolytes, including potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which have made it popular as a sports drink for natural-foods consumers,” explains Jonny Forsyth, global drinks analyst at Mintel, a global data-research-analysis firm headquartered in London. “Coconut water is doing particularly well in the United States because both sports recovery drinks and vitamin-enhanced waters are well established—much more so than in other countries—meaning that people already buy into the benefits of electrolytes in a beverage.

So next time you go for a long run in the hot sun, try hydrating with “nature’s electrolytes” from coconut water instead of with an ice-cold commercial sports drink. (Many have come under fire lately for containing artificial food dyes, fake sweeteners, dangerous levels of sugar, and even flame-retardant chemicals. Consumer pressure has prompted Gatorade and Powerade to announce the removal of brominated vegetable oil, a flame-retardant chemical, from their products.)
Coconut water’s rapid sales increase has also been aided by celebrities and high-profile investments from beverage companies, according to a release by Mintel, adding that people go loco for coconut water because it’s low in fat, features fewer allergy-triggering ingredients, is gluten free, and is often packaged in a more environmentally friendly way. Rodale News’ top pick for coconut water: Navitas Naturals Organic Coconut Water Powder. Aside from containing the five electrolytes essential for hydration, it’s also 100 percent organic, non-GMO, certified gluten-free, vegan, and raw. Freeze-dried, you can mix the powder up with water on demand to create your own drink. (Majorly cutting down on one-use bottles and waste.) We love that because it reduces greenhouse gases created in shipping heavy liquid drinks across the globe. (Not into mixing up your coconut water? Then opt for the organic Harmless Harvest coconut water.)

7 UNDENIABLE HEALTH BENEFITS

1. Prevents dehydration.
Refuels and rehydrates – coconut water maintains the body’s fluid levels, and its potassium content helps maintain water pressure within cells and blood.
2. Fuel for brain and muscles.
Due to its electrolyte content, coconut water improves nervous system functioning and nerve transmission. It Prevents cramps and spasms in the muscles.
3. Heart and kidney healthy.
Reduces the risk of hypertension and strokes and helps prevent or resolve kidney stones.
4. Anti-aging.
Contains compounds (cytokinins) that protect cells from aging and cancer.
5. Digestive Aid.
Improves digestion and metabolism via bioactive enzymes. Aids absorption of food and efficacy of drugs due to its electrolytic effect. Soothes intestinal pain/spasm.
6. Has Five Essential Electrolytes
Including potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, coconut water contains important positive ions to help regulate the heart, muscles, balance fluids and maintain electrical potential in cells.
7. Supports immune function.
Its Lauric acid content is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. It boosts the immune system in fighting infection whilst helping to eradicate intestinal worms and candida.