When my brother and I were growing up, my mom NEVER allowed us to have any soda. Or anything that "stains your tongue". Back then, I was so pissed at never being able to drink Kool-Aid, have popsicles, or, heaven forbid that we even THINK about asking for some Nerds candies.
But now, I am quite thankful. I never developed the taste for all that stuff, because up until I graduated from high school, the only drinks available at home were water, tea, and milk. The only times we were allowed to have soda was when my dad took us out to McDonald's (and of course, my mom wasn't there, nor did we tell her that we had soda that day).
When I went to college, I had Otter Pops galore, and started drinking soda. But I was never able to finish a whole can. My friends would be on their second, third drinks and I would still be a quarter way through my first. I still think the soda companies made those baby cans just for people like me....
I know, I know, there are times when you're eating something that simply REQUIRES soda: a nice gooey, cheesy slice of pizza, or a big all-over-your-face mess of a burger. I developed a taste for diet soda for those moments, saying, "I'm gonna wash down my artery-clogging meal with the healthy option of a fake sugar drink!"
Here's a new drink option I recently learned: coconut water. Apparently it's all the rage around town (don't ask me what town.... I just know that it's around.... somewhere). Celebrities are drinking it up, the health benefits are being talked about. I even read somewhere that it was used as IV hydration in emergency situations because it is naturally sterile and has the same electrolytic balance as blood.
According to Wikipedia, "coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts." It's very popular around the world, and especially used as a sports drink because "one cup-full of coconut water contains more electrolytes than most sports drinks and more potassium than a banana."
Although I am a registered nurse, I am now writing this disclaimer that I am IN NO CAPACITY a medical doctor and that what I write is strictly my own (very limited) research. Please do not consume this product if you have been told to have a low-potassium diet, or have a heart condition, and consult a medical professional!!
Having said that, my own opinion about coconut water: it tastes... meh.
It'll take some getting used to. I was expecting sweet (like coconut milk), but it's NOT. But it's not completely flavor-less, either.
I can definitely see why this would be a great alternative for a sports drink. Although it is more expensive, it appears ounce for ounce that it equals out in the end because you will need less coconut water to get the same benefits from a sports drink. Plus, there's less sugar and more potassium (13 times greater!) to help the body replenish necessary electrolytes.
Now, I've also read that coconut water can help control vomiting, that it is antibacterial (against flu, herpes, AIDS!), it can kill intestinal worms, and break up kidney stones, raise your metabolism and promote weight loss, control diabetes.... still gotta do more research on those.
But the ultimate reason to drink up: it can help with hang-overs.
Cheers!
