Agua de Pipa: Nature's Sports Drink

Back in 1996, I lived in Costa Rica for 5 months.  It was wonderful.  It was awful.  I have stories that consistently make people, including myself, cry laughing, seethe with jealousy, or gasp in horror.  Two of those stories involve the two most wonderful, natural drinks I've EVER had the pleasure of sipping: fresh jugo de sandia (watermelon juice) and agua de pipa (coconut water).  I'll save my watermelon juice story for another time, but I will tell you that it involves 5-foot long iguanas, excruciating heat, Pacific coast sunsets, and a glorious hammock.

So, what about the coconut water?  While in Costa Rica, I went to a school for Latin American students studying sustainable agriculture and natural resources.  We spent many days out in the fields cutting back weed plants with machetes (organic farming).  It was hot and so we took frequent agua de pipa breaks to refresh ourselves.  We drank a lot of coconut water!  We would grab some pipas (coconuts), cut off the end of the pipa with a machete, and drink straight from the pipa.  At the time, I thought it was fun, tasty, and a novelty....except for that day I watched as one of the Guatemalan students cut off his thumb while opening his pipa!  No, I'm not kidding.  

As is true of many traditional practices, drinking the coconut water during our breaks from working in the hot sun was very smart.  I learned 10+ years later that coconut water is truly Nature's sports drink.  Coconut water is isotonic, which means that it has the normal salt concentration that occurs in the cells of the body and blood, and so it can replace the fluid and minerals lost during physical activity.  Unlike its manufactured competitors (e.g., Gatorade, Vitamin Water, Propel, etc.), coconut water is free from refined and artificial sugars, artificial colors, and really anything other than, you guessed it....agua de pipa.  Now that's the way to hydrate and revitalize!

In Sanskrit, the coconut palm has been called kalpa vriksha, which means "tree that gives all that is necessary for living".  So, other than electrolytes, what all does it have to give?  As for food, the coconut palm provides coconut water, coconut milk, coconut meat, coconut palm sugar (one of the lowest glycemic index sugars out there), and coconut oil.  But that's way too much to cover in this post.  For now, let's keep our attention on the awesomeness of coconut water.  In addition to its isotonic hydrating properties, coconut water has been said to raise metabolism, control diabetes, cleanse and detoxify, fight viruses (because of its high lauric acid content), ease digestive problems and heartburn during pregnancy, help fight fatigue, serve as a substitute for IV hydration fluids, and improve HDL cholesterol levels.  Not too shabby.

Though sipping some coconut water may not evoke your own memories of good times, machetes, and lost thumbs in Costa Rica, it certainly won't disappoint.  Next time you're looking for a refreshing and healthy drink, a high dose of electrolytes, or a hangover cure, try some coconut water.

What's your favorite food/drink from the coconut palm plant?  Are you willing to try some nice healthy coconut water in place of your (current) favorite energy or sports drink?  (I'm drinking some right now!)

Eat Well.  Live Well.  Be Well.  Hydrate Well.