Like most runners, I enjoy my sports drinks
I am partial to the Gatorade low calorie product: purple G2.
Recently, I discovered a natural, healthy way to hydrate: coconut water. Coconut water is essentially Mother Nature’s sports drink containing the five electrolytes: (potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous). With 680 mg of potassium, the drink professes more potassium than a banana and 15 times more potassium than most sports drink. Also, coconut water is naturally fat-free and contains only 60 calories per serving. You can find this product at most natural food grocery stores. I like this stuff – so I researched it further and many runners attest to the benefits of this natural drink. There are other claims too – that coconut water dissolves kidney stones, boosts metabolism, gets rid of nausea. I even found several references to the fact that coconut water can and has been used (in emergencies) as a substitute for blood plasma….
Here’s what I like: it’s natural, the nutritional benefits listed above and the subtle sweet taste. There are times when sports drinks just seem too sweet after a particularly grueling run or workout… and water just doesn’t cut it. I am not getting rid of my G2 – it is widely available and not as expensive as coconut water (which can run $1.50 to $2.00 for an 11 oz. drink). But you’ll find coconut water in my fridge as a refreshing alternative.
