By Amber Mills.

On occasion, I am out and about and forget my refillable water bottle which forces me to buy bottled water. The last time this happened I noticed that my choices for water have grown far more expansive than I realized. I was familiar with the flavored waters, seltzer waters and water packed with special vitamins, but I wasn’t as familiar with coconut water, which seems to be the latest craze. At the gym, people are now carrying around these little cartons of coconut water, which made me wonder what all the fuss is about. So, to end my curiosity, I decided to try it for myself. To be honest, the taste did NOT impress me, but maybe it’s an acquired taste. Don’t let me sway your opinion, you decide for yourself. As for me and my body’s demands, I think I will stick with regular. The average serving size for coconut water is 8 ounces and contains around 45 calories. Compared to most sports drinks, it is lower in calories, sugar and sodium and is higher in potassium. If you are looking for a drink that replenishes electrolytes and you want lower calories and sugar, then next time you are about to grab a sports drink give coconut water a try. However, if you aren’t involved in intense exercise that is causing you to loose large amounts of electrolytes and burn calories, then plain, old water will rehydrate you just fine!

Whether it’s coconut water or tap water that you’re drinking, the key is staying hydrated. Our bodies are around 60% water and every system depends on it. A good way to tell if you are staying hydrated is to look at your urine color. If you are urinating every few hours and your urine is light in color, then you are probably getting good hydration. If you are only urinating once or twice a day and your urine is dark in color, then you are dehydrated. Mild dehydration can cause symptoms such as dry, sticky mouth and fatigue. If you are feeling dehydrated go have a glass of water, or if your electrolytes need replacing grab coconut water. Whichever you choose, stay hydrated!

Amber Mills – Curriculum Director

“It is my hope that our students walk away from Soma with confidence in their clinical massage skills and their ability to naturally help the body heal.”