Coconut Water

Coconut water is a refreshing, clear liquid drink made from young coconuts (green coconuts) that are too young to have yet developed coconut milk and meat. Coconut water is a very popular drink in the tropics, and is a natural source of all five electrolytes in human blood, making it an incredible hydration drink for athletes and even people with hangovers.

Coconut water is fat-free and low in calories (all carbohydrates), but high in electrolytes. One cup of coconut water has more electrolytes than all major sports drinks and more potassium than a banana - without as high amounts of sugar.

The electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, and phosphate. Because electrolyte imbalance is a major cause of hypertension (high blood pressure), coconut water has been shown to help balance electrolyte levels and improve blood pressure.

Coconut water has been around for quite a while in Latin American, South American, and tropical countries, but is just recently gaining prominence in the United States.