Now that winter is almost upon us, I’m already wishing for warm weather and sunshine. In the past, my go-to remedy for summer withdrawal has always been coconut. Whether it’s chocolate covered coconut, coconut shrimp, a coconut fragrance or my favorite, coconut jelly beans, I always find a way to get some of the summer fruit into my life. Think about it, you taste the coconut and automatically feel like you’re lounging on some beach in the Caribbean while soaking up some rays — at least that’s how I see it. So when I heard about coconut water, I automatically assumed I’d love it.

I heard from a few friends that coconut water was really good for hydration and that it was also a hangover remedy. However, I bought a can of it and could barely take the first sip because of the smell. I’m not sure if it was just the brand I chose, but it was pretty gross. I pushed through it and took a little sip. It was okay, but I was thrown off by the fact that it was super sugary with a somewhat syrupy texture. Personally, I didn’t find it hydrating at all because the sweetness made it so hard to drink. So I decided to talk to Jeanette Andrade, a dietician at the University, to find out a little more about this mystery drink.

*Coconut water is better than drinking a regular fruit juice: FALSE*

Andrade explained to me that coconut water isn’t as great for you as most people make it out to be. Drinking coconut water is just like sticking a straw into any kind of fruit or just drinking any plain fruit juice. It also contains similar amount of nutrients and calorie content as a normal fruit juice. However, coconut water can beat out some fruit juices in fat content. Many fruits juices bought in a store can have added sugar that adds fat; however, if you buy a natural coconut water it should have a low fat content.

“What they basically do is take immature coconuts and drain the juice from them and then package it,” Andrade said.

*Coconut water is better than drinking other energy boosting drinks: TRUE*

Coconut water is a good alternative to energy drinks, soda and coffee in terms of getting someone’s energy level up. Also, coconut water doesn’t have the same crash affect that many caffeinated drinks have and the amount of calories is considerably lower in coconut water. Ultimately, finding a natural way to get an energy boost is a better alternative to putting chemicals in your body that are found in energy drinks, soda and coffee.

“It doesn’t have the caffeine or anything in there, but it does have the sugar to maybe boost your energy,” Andrade said.

*Coconut water is suitable hydration for a marathon runner: FALSE*

Because the coconut water is natural, it’s better than drinking something such as a manufactured flavored water. But, it still doesn’t have the extreme hydrating powers that I thought it did. Marathon runners instead must rely on extreme hydration with water, energy gels and energy chews. Coconut water on it’s own isn’t able to hydrate someone for the length of a marathon.

_Taylor is a sophomore in Media._