Coconut water has more potassium and
nutrients than sports drinks so if you can add a little something to make it taste better, it's perfect to have on - hand for athletes.
Energy drinks are not sports drinks: they contain higher concentrations of carbohydrate (usually 9 - 10 %) and
calories than a sports drink, and high amounts of caffeine, both «natural» (from herbs and untested nutritional supplements) and synthetic, which aren't in sports drinks.
According to a study led by an Indiana researcher, chocolate milk post-exercise speeds recovery and is more
effective than sports drinks at increasing endurance in a (subsequent) exercise session.
In fact, teeth exposed to energy drinks were stripped of more
enamel than sports drinks, according to a General Dentistry study.
Energy drinks may include simple carbohydrates, but in a much higher
concentration than sports drinks and are thus more likely to cause stomach upset during competition.
I have no idea how protein affects muscle synthesis or recovery, but I found that when I switched to a drink with protein, after 4 hours of hard racing on the bike, I didn't feel like I had a hole in the stomach wanting to eat something
other than sports drink.
Coconut water is loaded with potassium - it actually contains 15 times more
potassium than a sports drink or twice as much as a banana, so it makes for a great hangover fixer.
Coconut water also has less
sugar than sports drinks, and also has much less sugar than fruit juices or regular sodas, making it the healthiest choice of the three.
For example, better
than sports drinks, coconut water provides athletes a natural potassium and magnesium - rich drink that rehydrates the body while reducing inflammation and balancing blood sugar.
There are studies that show that it will give you endurance during your workout even more
than a sports drink would but without all of the crappy additives — try adding some to your water bottle when you work out.
It has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium
than a sports drink.