10 Great Coconut Water Drinks for Hydration
If you go to most grocery stores, in the beverage section, you are sure to find a number of different coconut waters on the shelves today. Why? Because the electrolytes that occur naturally in coconut water, like potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus, have made the drinks a popular alternative to sports drinks. Those nutrients are critical for maintaining proper hydration levels. The other health benefits coconut water offers include potentially reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering blood sugar for those with diabetes, preventing kidney stones, and alleviating the effects of a hangover.
In this post, we’ll take a look at a number of the products on the market and explain what differentiates one from the other – because not all coconut water is created equally.
Why Coconut Water is Great for Hydration
Compared to spring, sparkling, or tap water, coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and sodium, which are essential for hydration and maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. Because of its high electrolyte content, it is often consumed by athletes and active consumers after exercise or physical activity. It’s also been proven to be effective in preventing dehydration during intense exercise or when traveling in hot climates.
When compared to many of the traditional sports beverages on the market, coconut water drinks generally contain far less sugar and fewer artificial ingredients or additives, and when compared to bottled fruit juices or smoothies, coconut water is typically lower in sugar and calories. For example, 12 ounces of orange juice contains 28 grams of sugar and is 154 calories, whereas 12 ounces of coconut water typically contains 9 grams of sugar and is 68 calories, depending on the source.
Criteria for Selection
There are numerous coconut water brands on the market – so how do you choose which ones are best? Many of them have similar ingredients, so picking up on the subtle differences between the brands takes some research! Factors that are important to consider when comparing coconut waters include:
#1 Adapt SuperWater: The Best Coconut Water
Adapt SuperWater is a better-for-you beverage compared to traditional synthetic sports drinks because it offers numerous benefits to the athletic, health conscious consumer.
Product Description
- Helps athletes recover from exercise by reducing inflammation and muscle tension
- Contains electrolytes and hemp for optimal hydration
- Infused with 25mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract per bottle
- All Natural Ingredients include:
- 100% organic coconut water from Vietnam
- Antioxidants
- Electrolytes
- Pomegranate juice
- Mango juice
- Hibiscus
- Hemp extract
- Chamomile
- L-theanine
- Vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, and B12
- Sweetened with monk fruit; no added sugar or artificial sweeteners
- Low-calorie, low carbohydrate
- NSF Certified for Sport: Ensures that the product has been rigorously tested for safety and quality. Adapt is the first hemp beverage to earn this certification.
#2 Vita Coco
Based in New York City, the Vita Coco company produces a number of coconut-based products, and it all started with coconut water in 2003. Their products are flash pasturized and come in three flavors – Original (plain), Pineapple and Peach & Mango.
Product Description
- Organic coconut water
- Coconut puree
- Natural ingredients and flavors
- Vitamin C
- Gellan gum, a gelatin substitute
- 1 gram of sugar
- Electrolytes
- Flash pasteurized
#3 Harmless Harvest
Oakland, California-based company, Harmless Harvest, is known for its sustainability and awareness of its environmental footprint when producing their coconut waters and other products. In production, they use a cold-press method that helps retain the coconuts’ natural flavor and nutrients. Its products are certified organic and Fair for Life.
Product Description
- Ingredients include:
- Organic coconut water from Thailand
- 20 grams of sugar
- Electrolytes
- Packaged in recycled plastic bottles
#4 Zico
Zico is a beverage company based in Los Angeles that produces Zico Natural, a not from concentrate coconut water; Zico Chocolate, a chocolate-flavored coconut water; and Zico Hydrate, a coconut water-based beverage that comes in 3 flavors – Fruit Punch, Coconut Lime, and Tropical.
Zico Natural Contains:
Zico Chocolate contains:
Zico Hydrate contains:
#5 Naked Juice
Naked Juice, the company behind many fruit-based drinks and smoothies like Green Machine, Blue Machine, Berry Blast and Immune Support, also produces coconut water. Each bottle contains the water gathered from 2 ¾ coconuts.
Product Description
- Organic coconut water
- Organic natural flavor
- Electrolytes
#6 Bai Cocofusions
Bai is a company based in New Jersey known for its fruit juices and lemonades; it also offers a line of drinks called Cocoinfusion that combine coconut water combined with tropical, antioxidant rich ingredients like Mango and Pineapple.
Product Description
- Filtered water
- Coconut water from concentrate
- Organic natural flavor
- 1 gram of sugar
- 10 grams of Erythritol, a sugar substitute
#7 Amy & Brian
Amy & Brian is a Southern California based, family owned company that was started in 2001. They produce 5 beverages that contain electrolytes: Original, With Pulp, With Lime, With Grape, and With Cinnamon.
Product Description
- 100% coconut water from Thailand
- Coconut pulp
- Lime juice
- Grape juice from concentrate
- Natural flavor
- Cinnamon
#8 C2O
C20 produces regular and flavored varieties of coconut water that contain electrolytes. Their company offers the following: Coconut Water Original; Coconut Water with Pulp; Coconut Water with Pineapple; Coconut Water with Ginger, Lime, and Turmeric; Coconut Water with Mango, and Coconut Water with Espresso.
Product Description
- Coconut water
- Young coconut pulp
- Pineapple, lime, or mango juice
- Pressed ginger root
- Pressed turmeric root
- Espresso coffee extract
- Coconut milk
- Coconut sugar
- *Some beverages include added sugars
#9 Blue Monkey
Long Beach, CA beverage company, blue monkey, produces a variety of beverages including the Coconut Water Collection (organic and conventional available) and the Sparkling Coconut Collection. The coconut water used in both lines is not from concentrate, does not include preservatives or additives, but the company does use refined carbonation to enhance the flavors.
Product Description – Coconut Water Collection
Ingredients include:
Coconut water
Product Description – Sparkling Coconut Collection
Ingredients include:
Carbonated coconut water not from concentrate
Watermelon, Passion Fruit, Key Lime, Yuzu or Mango juice
Vitamin C
#10 Taste Nirvana
Taste Nirvana is a family-owned business with roots in Thailand where the family hails from. They have been making products utilizing coconuts including coconut water for over 35 years. The water is produced in Thailand and is committed to green production practices.
Product Description – Real Coconut Water
- Coconut water not from concentrate
- Coconut essence
- Less than 1% fruit sugar
Product Description – Cocoza Sparkling Coconut Water
- Sparkling water
- Concentrated coconut essence
- Natural flavor
How to Choose the Best Coconut Water
If you’re someone who regularly works out or exercises and you aren’t drinking coconut water, now’s the time to try it, since it provides a natural source of electrolytes which are key for hydration and maintaining fluid balance in the body. Compared to many sports drinks on store shelves, coconut water drinks generally contain far less sugar and fewer artificial ingredients or additives, which is important for our general health and wellness. The best way to find the product that is right for you is by testing them out, and we recommend you start at the top of the list with Adapt SuperWater! Our beverages not only provide the electrolytes needs for staying properly hydrated, but they also contain antioxidant and adaptogenic ingredients that are critical for recovery after a workout. Take it from us – once you Adapt, you’ll never go back!
Find Adapt SuperWaters using our Store Locator or buy the best coconut water online at our store.
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