Coconut Water is the clear liquid that can be extracted from young green coconuts, and is not be confused with coconut milk. As the coconut matures, it becomes meatier and the coconut water is replaced by the meat and air. It's been, for a long time, a popular beverage in the tropics. Over the past decade, coconut water has gained immense popularity in the United States, marketed as a healthier alternative to sports and energy drinks that contain a lot of caffeine, sugar, and calories. Coconut water is a refreshing way to rehydrate and replensih, and is used by a lot of athletes and people who parctice yoga.

This article will discuss the health benefits of coconut water, as well as review brands of coconut water. I will also talk about different flavors of coconut water and why you should be drinking it on a daily basis. There will also be a section on getting coconut water straight from the coconut for those of you who have access to young, green coconuts.

For thousands of years coconut water has been considered a natural source of wellness, nutrition, hydration and beauty. Not only that, but in certain countries it is used intravenously to save lives and in place of saline solution. It's the only natural, god given substance that can be injected safely into our veins entering the human blood stream. As of late, scientists have been studying coconut water and have validated it's effects as nature's sports drink.

Coconut water contains the five essential electrolytes that our bodies need: potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and phosphorus. Compared to the leading sports drinks, it contains fifteen times more potassium, not to mention it has more potassium than a banana!

What does potassium do? Potassium is extremely important! It helps regulate blood pressure, heart function, and helps maintain hydration. If you're an athlete or a runner, potassium found in coconut water, like bananas, helps reduce cramps caused by physical exercise.

Coconut water also helps give your skin a clear and smooth look by promoting hydration of the skin. Coconut water also hydrates your hair and your nails, keeping you younger and more beautiful.

Other health benefits of coconut water:

Coconut water increases muscle performance and mental acuity, aids in weight loss, gives you natural energy, aids in reducing stress, and cleans out your kidneys. Coconut water is also an excellent cure for a hangover (we all need that sometimes!).

There are many brands of coconut water but I will be reviewing the top brands in the United States. Coconut water is available at most health food stores and supermarkets such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. It is also available in regular food stores, pharmacies, and bodegas in big cities such as New York and Los Angeles. It isn't too hard to find coconut water these days.

My favorite brand of coconut water is Vita Coco. I particularly like this brand since it has very litte calories and a ton of vitamin C. Other brands of coconut water don't have as much vitamin C, which never quite made sense to me since almost all coconut water brands are 100% coconut water with no additives. In any event, Vita Coco ranks as my favorite. A lot of A-list celebrities prefer vita coco over other brands. It is one of the first American brands of coconut water. It's founders began researching for it in 2002, and made it a reality in 2005. Since then, Vita Coco has been rapidly spreading throughout the United States of America. Vita Coco comes in five flavors. My favorite is regular coconut water. It also comes in tangerine, pina colada, peach and mango, pineapple, and acai and pomegranate. The flavors tend to have more sugar than the original, but still less sugar than other sports drinks.

The next brand of coconut water I'll be talking about is Zico Coconut Water. Zico is also a great brand of coconut water, though doesn't contain as much vitamin C as Vita Coco. It comes in natural, passion fruit, and mango, and all three are extremely delicious flavors. Zico was conceived in 2004 but didn't become a reality for a couple of years.

If Zico doesn't do it for you, there's also a brand called O.N.E.. O.N.E. is 100% coconut water and really something! In my opinion, they have the best packaging for their coconut water, which may or may not effect the taste! O.N.E does not only manufacture coconut water, but other delicious juices as well. They also have their own brand of water available.

Rubicon also makes a coconut water. This is my least favorite brand, but it's better than nothing. Coconut water really is marvelous and you will no doubt reap the benefits. I'm a runner and everytime I would exercise I would dehydrate and it seemed like no amount of water was enough! I would feel dizzy and sick afterwards and would take about an hour to recuperate. I noticed the difference with coconut water the first time I used it, and you will, too!