Madonna's loco about Vita Coco - should you be?

FatFighterTV


Once word got out that coconut water was Madonna's new drink of choice and that she invested $1.5 million in a company that makes the beverage, people went nuts over it! But what about all the health claims out there? Can coconut water really lower cholesterol, boost your metabolism, and prevent diabetes? Is it a good substitute for sports drinks? FatFighterTV went to dietitian, Andrea Giancoli, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, for answers.

"I wouldn't believe all the hype - that it's going to cure diabetes and cancer and hypertension, etc.," says Giancoli. "Unfortunately, that always ends up being the issue with some of these products - their actual health benefits get lost in the hype."

So, what are the real health benefits? Here's what gives coconut water its claim to nutritional fame.

"The star behind coconut water is its high potassium content," Giancoli explains. "Most people aren't getting enough potassium because they're not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Coconut water has the advantage of being very high in potassium - higher than a banana. "

It's true! A medium banana has 451 milligrams of potassium; an 11.2 ounce serving of Vita Coco coconut water has 660 milligrams.

Coconut water might also be a good hydration alternative to a sports drink, like Gatorade, after a workout. But Giancoli says most people don't exercise hard enough to need either one - just water will replenish enough, for the most part.

In a nutshell…

  • Coconut water comes from young green coconuts

  • Madonna is loco for the stuff!

  • An 11 ounce serving has 60 calories plus a good dose of potassium

  • It's not a cure-all

  • It costs about two-bucks a pop

If it fits in with your caloric and financial budget, then by all means - go nuts! But check those labels to make sure you're getting straight up coconut water. Some of the flavored ones have added sugar and calories.

I have yet to try coconut water. You?

Also see:

4 diet destroyers from Dr. Oz

How Pink gets her buff bod

Dara Torres: her new book, training smarter, and the 2012 Olympics