Coconut water is becoming a hip and trendy health drink. For people looking to quench their thirst while cutting calories, coconut water is a great option and has become a fixture in convenience stores, gyms, and yoga studios. If everyone is crazy about it, should runners make the big switch, too?
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| Image source: foodandnutrition.org |
It is no secret that coconut water offers several benefits. It’s a great and natural way to increase electrolytes after an intense workout or a strenuous physical activity. Coconut water contains magnesium and potassium and is naturally sweet (unless it is said to have added artificial sweeteners). But how does it fare when compared to water or a sports drink when taken after a workout?
In a study published by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, natural coconut water was compared to a conventional sports drink. To test the effectiveness of coconut water, 12 men who exercise were put on a 60-minute treadmill workout on four instances with five-day gaps. They were given bottled water, pure coconut water, coconut water concentrate, and sports drink. They were asked to measure their levels of thirst, bloatedness, stomach discomfort, freshness, and tiredness based on the post-exercise drinks that were presented.
The results of the study showed that there were no distinct differences between water, coconut water, coconut water concentrate, and sports drink with regards to the respondents’ athletic performance. However, some men felt more bloated and experienced stomach discomfort while under coconut water and coconut water concentrate than water and sports drink.
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| Image source: cbc.ca |
The verdict? Runners can go for water, coconut water, or sports drink during and after a run. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of variety, right?
Steven Rindner is a business executive with a background in media, technology, real estate, and health care industries. He also enjoys running and joining marathons. Read more running tips here.
