Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coconut water as sports drink

Coconut researcher Bruce Fife, a naturopath doctor, writes in his book that electrolytes, also known as ions, are atoms or molecules with an electrical charge. The ability to charge allows electric current to flow through our bodies and facilitate many biological functions. We lose these electrolytes through sweat, urine, etc. That is why athletes need to replenish their body after every workout.

Commercial sports drinks list more ingredients that are far from natural and whose function is for taste, texture and stability rather than nutrition. Mainly water, the ingredients of the sports drinks are sucrose and high fructose syrup, and their sole source of electrolytes is salt.

Coconut water has 100 percent all natural ingredients with no preservatives. It is a liquid endosperm with a natural combination of easily absorbable electrolytes, sugars, amino acids and other nutrients compatible with the body. Compared with commercial sports drinks, buko juice has more minerals and nutrients-including sodium and potassium-and significantly less sugar than most natural fruit juices. In comparison, no amount of water can replenish the lost liquids. Without a source of electrolytes, drinking only water, aside from causing discomfort and bloating, dilutes the remaining electrolytes in your bloodstream which can send you to the hospital.

Read full article: http://opinion.inquirer.net/26803/tapping-the-tree-of-life-for-natural-healing-food