So who's drinking coconut water?

[screwd01]

I haven't had any problems with just water and eating a good amount of potassium but people seem to be pretty stoked about coconut water. I'm having a hard time trying to find it locally and just went to one of the many asian/oriental markets and picked up four 14 oz cans of coconut water with pulp. I compared all the nutritional labels and the brands I picked up had a significantly more fats and sugars. But I strained out the coconut pulp, I'm sure it helps a little.

For those who do drink the stuff, what are your thoughts on it. I've recently started running, 4 or so times a week, and play tennis just as often. Coconut water seems like a great alternative to Gatorade and Powerade, which I stay away from anyway.

Also here's a photo of the nutritional labels of the coconut water I bought, they were $1.09 per can, which is fantastic compared to the prices of the brands I mentioned earlier.
http://www.imagebam.com/image/401c9e47687997

 

[Lamont Burns]

Seems cheaper to just eat a banana and drink some regular... water. Seems like a fad. Common in areas indigenous, but oh man if you can get it in the USA it's got to be the shiznit. Acai, the same way.

 

[screwd01]

I actually bought it for other reasons too. It does taste great but on the show Three Sheets, check it out on Hulu if you like to partake in the occasional alcoholic beverage , it's a great hangover cure.

 

[Industrial]

haven't tried the glamorized American ones like O.N.E., which I'm sure is just the same as getting the ones from the Asian stores. I use to just drink them when we went to Chinatown or other similar Asian communities, and it was fun eating the pulp. Never thought of it as healthy. I remember getting the runs when I drank it all day instead of water, LOL.

The ones you find in the Asian stores, just make sure it's pure coconut water, as I've had a few they've added syrup to help sweeten it.

I did read up on coconut oil for cooking, which is supposedly better than the other oils like olive, corn...etc. The fats you get from the coconut seem ridiculously high, but they claim it helps you lose weight, as it's the good unsaturated fats. Also it helps with metabolism to burn more body fat or something.

 

[El Guaraguao]

asian stores? man head to your local spanish store and youll find all the coconut water (probably the conchita brand) you want. and when i say spanish, i dont mean mexican.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Industrial
haven't tried the glamorized American ones like O.N.E., which I'm sure is just the same as getting the ones from the Asian stores. I use to just drink them when we went to Chinatown or other similar Asian communities, and it was fun eating the pulp. Never thought of it as healthy. I remember getting the runs when I drank it all day instead of water, LOL.

The ones you find in the Asian stores, just make sure it's pure coconut water, as I've had a few they've added syrup to help sweeten it.

I did read up on coconut oil for cooking, which is supposedly better than the other oils like olive, corn...etc. The fats you get from the coconut seem ridiculously high, but they claim it helps you lose weight, as it's the good unsaturated fats. Also it helps with metabolism to burn more body fat or something.

Um, coconut oil is the oil with the highest proportion of SATURATED fatty acids. However, it does have some benefits specifically due to the length (medium-chained fatty acids).

 

[screwd01]

Oh yeah, I never thought about that. I'll check them out tomorrow. I just knew they had it at the market since I go there frequently.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Lamont Burns
Seems cheaper to just eat a banana and drink some regular... water. Seems like a fad. Common in areas indigenous, but oh man if you can get it in the USA it's got to be the shiznit. Acai, the same way.

I'm not certain what you mean about get it in the U.S.? Because there are many coconut palms here in Florida for instance.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: screwd01
For those who do drink the stuff, what are your thoughts on it. I've recently started running, 4 or so times a week, and play tennis just as often. Coconut water seems like a great alternative to Gatorade and Powerade, which I stay away from anyway.

Why? You think the 45g of sugars in the coconut water is better for you?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: screwd01
For those who do drink the stuff, what are your thoughts on it. I've recently started running, 4 or so times a week, and play tennis just as often. Coconut water seems like a great alternative to Gatorade and Powerade, which I stay away from anyway.

Why? You think the 45g of sugars in the coconut water is better for you?

Uh, actually, yes. Yes, they are. Plus it comes with some other good compounds. I mean, I wouldn't get all up in a fuss about it because water is fine as well, but if you had to choose, coconut water would be infinitely better than Gatorade.

 

[screwd01]

I actually cut the juice with water, a 1:1 ratio and it turned out pretty well. I do this with all sports drinks and juices just to keep things light.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: screwd01
For those who do drink the stuff, what are your thoughts on it. I've recently started running, 4 or so times a week, and play tennis just as often. Coconut water seems like a great alternative to Gatorade and Powerade, which I stay away from anyway.

Why? You think the 45g of sugars in the coconut water is better for you?

Uh, actually, yes. Yes, they are. Plus it comes with some other good compounds. I mean, I wouldn't get all up in a fuss about it because water is fine as well, but if you had to choose, coconut water would be infinitely better than Gatorade.

What compounds are in coconut water that are so worthwhile that it would merit taking in twice the sugar per ounce compared to Gatorade?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: screwd01
For those who do drink the stuff, what are your thoughts on it. I've recently started running, 4 or so times a week, and play tennis just as often. Coconut water seems like a great alternative to Gatorade and Powerade, which I stay away from anyway.

Why? You think the 45g of sugars in the coconut water is better for you?

Uh, actually, yes. Yes, they are. Plus it comes with some other good compounds. I mean, I wouldn't get all up in a fuss about it because water is fine as well, but if you had to choose, coconut water would be infinitely better than Gatorade.

What compounds are in coconut water that are so worthwhile that it would merit taking in twice the sugar per ounce compared to Gatorade?

First of all, Gatorade and other products use high fructose corn syrup almost exclusively. While sugar has a leptin response (a satiation hormone), HFCS does not. Along with that, coconut water has compounds that come with the coconut in general, including vitamins and minerals in their natural context rather than something processed to hell. The OP also mentioned that he waters the stuff down in a 1:1 ratio. That makes the amount of sugar per volume the same then. Also, I'm not even sure you're looking at the right thing. A gatorade usually has 2 or 2.5 servings per container and each serving has something like 20g of sugar.

On top of that, there's no unnecessary products for aesthetics, color, flavor, etc which are almost all very unnatural to the body doing some weird things.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
First of all, Gatorade and other products use high fructose corn syrup almost exclusively. While sugar has a leptin response (a satiation hormone), HFCS does not. Along with that, coconut water has compounds that come with the coconut in general, including vitamins and minerals in their natural context rather than something processed to hell. The OP also mentioned that he waters the stuff down in a 1:1 ratio. That makes the amount of sugar per volume the same then. Also, I'm not even sure you're looking at the right thing. A gatorade usually has 2 or 2.5 servings per container and each serving has something like 20g of sugar.

On top of that, there's no unnecessary products for aesthetics, color, flavor, etc which are almost all very unnatural to the body doing some weird things.

He said he cuts all sports drinks 1:1 with water, so you're still down to half the sugar with Gatorade. And attacking the color and flavorings just smacks of fud. The bottom line is you're better off drinking water (or something like unsweetened tea) and getting your nutrients from other sources. One that isn't loaded with sugar.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
First of all, Gatorade and other products use high fructose corn syrup almost exclusively. While sugar has a leptin response (a satiation hormone), HFCS does not. Along with that, coconut water has compounds that come with the coconut in general, including vitamins and minerals in their natural context rather than something processed to hell. The OP also mentioned that he waters the stuff down in a 1:1 ratio. That makes the amount of sugar per volume the same then. Also, I'm not even sure you're looking at the right thing. A gatorade usually has 2 or 2.5 servings per container and each serving has something like 20g of sugar.

On top of that, there's no unnecessary products for aesthetics, color, flavor, etc which are almost all very unnatural to the body doing some weird things.

He said he cuts all sports drinks 1:1 with water, so you're still down to half the sugar with Gatorade. And attacking the color and flavorings just smacks of fud. The bottom line is you're better off drinking water (or something like unsweetened tea) and getting your nutrients from other sources. One that isn't loaded with sugar.

Not if you drink it after or during a workout. With glycogen stores heavily used up (depending on what you do), replenishing it with simple sugars is actually the best way to go to help with body function. If he used this as the base of a protein shake, it'd pretty much be exactly what his body needed to start repairs ASAP.

 

[Industrial]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Industrial
haven't tried the glamorized American ones like O.N.E., which I'm sure is just the same as getting the ones from the Asian stores. I use to just drink them when we went to Chinatown or other similar Asian communities, and it was fun eating the pulp. Never thought of it as healthy. I remember getting the runs when I drank it all day instead of water, LOL.

The ones you find in the Asian stores, just make sure it's pure coconut water, as I've had a few they've added syrup to help sweeten it.

I did read up on coconut oil for cooking, which is supposedly better than the other oils like olive, corn...etc. The fats you get from the coconut seem ridiculously high, but they claim it helps you lose weight, as it's the good unsaturated fats. Also it helps with metabolism to burn more body fat or something.

Um, coconut oil is the oil with the highest proportion of SATURATED fatty acids. However, it does have some benefits specifically due to the length (medium-chained fatty acids).

It probably does have the highest saturated fats. But this is what I got from the marketing materials

This healthy saturated fat does not contain trans fats, hydrogenated fats or cholesterol. Coconut Oil's medium chain fatty acid structure makes it different than animal fats, which have long chain fatty acids. For example, lauric acid is a good saturated fat in Coconut Oil, which studies show helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range. It's also a potent source of energy containing over 60% medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). These good fats are important for exercise and weight loss programs.

Personally I don't know as I haven't tried it.

 

[SP33Demon]

Just drink the zero cal Powerade (I personally love Sobe Lifewater). It's infinitely cheaper (on sale for 0.79/32 oz) and infinitely better for you than 45g of sugar if you're looking to slim down. If you're bulking, then after a workout the coconut is fine (like SC said). If you can budget the extra 200 cal's and afford paying 2X~ cost of a normal low cal sports drink/water, then go for it. However, be aware that coconut juice has nothing in it that a good multivitamin/low cal sports drink won't cover other than a little fiber.

 

[NGC_604]

Originally posted by: Industrial

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Industrial
haven't tried the glamorized American ones like O.N.E., which I'm sure is just the same as getting the ones from the Asian stores. I use to just drink them when we went to Chinatown or other similar Asian communities, and it was fun eating the pulp. Never thought of it as healthy. I remember getting the runs when I drank it all day instead of water, LOL.

The ones you find in the Asian stores, just make sure it's pure coconut water, as I've had a few they've added syrup to help sweeten it.

I did read up on coconut oil for cooking, which is supposedly better than the other oils like olive, corn...etc. The fats you get from the coconut seem ridiculously high, but they claim it helps you lose weight, as it's the good unsaturated fats. Also it helps with metabolism to burn more body fat or something.

Um, coconut oil is the oil with the highest proportion of SATURATED fatty acids. However, it does have some benefits specifically due to the length (medium-chained fatty acids).

It probably does have the highest saturated fats. But this is what I got from the marketing materials

This healthy saturated fat does not contain trans fats, hydrogenated fats or cholesterol. Coconut Oil's medium chain fatty acid structure makes it different than animal fats, which have long chain fatty acids. For example, lauric acid is a good saturated fat in Coconut Oil, which studies show helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range. It's also a potent source of energy containing over 60% medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). These good fats are important for exercise and weight loss programs.

Personally I don't know as I haven't tried it.

I'd like to know more about this as well. I've been using coconut oil sometimes when I cook and it'd be nice to know if I'm doing myself harm.

 

[SP33Demon]

Was talking to my SO last night and she said she loves coconut water but was puzzled at the 45 grams of sugar. She said hers hardly has any at all.

For amounts of sugar, a little research here shows that coconut water only has 6g/240g (divide weight in grams by 4), and coconut meat has 6.23g/100g (wiki). At 14 fl ounces let's calculate what the sugar thresholds would be converting it to grams. 1g water ~= 1mL water. 415mL ~= 14 fl oz. Add 85 grams (generous) for the pulp in the water = 500g weight. So pure coconut meat would have 6.23X5 = 31.15g~ of sugar. Pure coconut water should have 500\4 = 12.5g~ of sugar. Even using O.N.E.'s 1.27g/oz ratio (explanation of O.N.E. below), this should have 14*1.27 = 17.78. So something is fishy, it should fall in the 12.5 - 18g sugar range for pure coconut water. This leads me to believe that Vitacoco is adding a lot of sugar to this product and it's not all natural.

However, O.N.E. only has 14g/11 oz (330ML) serving. This is much more inline with calculations/margin of error and I'd trust this brand.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

its the best for a hangover.

Edit: The best coconut water I've ever tried that is closest to sticking a straw in a coconut is from Coco Samba...you should check it out COCO SAMBA Brazil's PREMIUM Coconut Water, 11.2-Ounce (Pack of 12)

 

[DAGTA]

The lauric acid in coconut also helps the body to destroy viruses.