What Is So Special About Coconut Water?

It’s getting rave reviews from the health and fitness world, often promoted in women’s magazines, and sweeping the shelves of grocery stores. I have recently joined the craze myself and am sipping on a bottle right now. What is this amazing beverage everyone is talking about? It’s coconut water.

Coconut water is not a newly found drink; it has actually been around for centuries and enjoyed by natives living in the tropics. Over the past two years, it has become known as one of the most natural and hydrating beverages on the market.

Coconut water is harvested from young, premature coconuts. The water is found inside the young coconut. If the coconut is left to ripen, this water helps create the fleshy inside of a mature coconut.

The best way to drink this water is right from the coconut itself; however, finding coconuts in the middle of an urban area may be difficult. That is why companies have found ways to create pasteurized coconut water options.

These products are usually bottled in recycled plastic or juice-box containers that have up to a three-week shelf life. In order to preserve the coconut water, companies heat the water to eliminate harmful bacteria, add in flavors or additional pulp, and cool and bottle the final product to be sold.

Now what exactly makes this beverage so special? It is the hydrating and replenishing vitamins found in the water. Coconut water is high in potassium, sodium, fiber, calcium, and vitamin C. Coconut water is also gluten-free and low in calories, making it the perfect healthy, re-hydrating beverage.

Since coconut water is packed with vitamins and minerals that help with hydration, many companies advertize that it is a sports drink. For this reason, many runners and athletes turn to coconut water after a long workout to help restore their bodies.

Eco18 is a collective of creative-writing individuals from different backgrounds with a common goal—to live a healthier, more natural lifestyle. Their combined expertise, humor, and opinions explore green and sustainable in a practical, fun way. www.eco18.com.

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