Is Coconut Water Really That Good For You?

According to Medical Daily, nearly 75 percent of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration. Whether it's caused by hours at the gym, a long day at work, or a night filled with booze, dehydration is dangerous. In fact, you may be suffering from it and not even know it.

It's no secret that water is the easiest, healthiest, and most accessible way to hydrate. If you're tired of good old-fashioned H2O, many nutritionists, doctors, and other health advocates have suggested drinking coconut water instead.

This probably isn't the first time you've heard about coconut water, and because of the constant discussion surrounding it, it won't be the last. Though nutritionists have sworn by it, many have sought to bust the myth on coconut water, realizing its health benefits depend on one thing and one thing only: the brand.

Here's the deal with coconut water: The more natural, the better. Drinking real, natural coconut water from an actual coconut will hydrate you. Real coconut water is low in sodium and rich in potassium, which means it will help replenish the body.

In regards to store-bought or pre-packaged containers of coconut water, it's rarely a good idea to consume them. This is due to the fact that many pre-packaged brands contain an excessive amount sugar, which will inevitably work to dehydrate the body.

The takeaway from this is to stay conscious of sugar intake when you're looking to stay hydrated. If you want to guarantee ultimate hydration, your best bet is to stick to water. If you insist on buying a brand, Invo Coconut Water requires an option that is 8 grams of sugar.

The accompanying slideshowis provided by fellow The Daily Meal editorial staff member, Joanna Fantozzi.