The debate rages over what is the best hangover cure.
Much of it is driven by tradition, anecdotal evidence and flat-out myth. Coconut water and Gatorade are often pitted against one another in the battle of the best hangover cures, and now it’s time to settle that particular fight once and for all.
Science tells us that water is the key fluid to curing a hangover, because a great deal of the morning-after booze blues stem from dehydration. Alcohol triggers a purging of water from the body (a diuretic effect relieved by, ahem, “breaking the seal”), which has to be replenished by sapping it from muscles and other organs – like your brain.
So, one of the cures for this is to rehydrate. The question is whether rehydration can be augmented by other nutrients added to water.
We’ve all heard the hype: Gatorade contains electrolytes. The electrolytes in Gatorade are otherwise known as sodium, potassium and chloride, and are added to replace those lost during exercise. Gatorade also contains carbohydrates in the form of sugars to replace energy.
The loss of potassium and salts along with water also contributes to a hangover, and Gatorade serves to replace those minerals by way of electrolytes in addition to providing hydration through its water-based formula.
Coconut water, however, contains the same electrolytes as Gatorade along with several others. This arguably boosts its ability to deliver the accompanying hydration it offers to your parched muscles and puckered brain.
The final feather in the coconut water cap is that it contains less sugar than “most” sports drinks (that’s you, Gatorade), which a hangover sufferer doesn’t really need. What’s more, coconut water contains fewer calories and carbohydrates, making it a contender for Most Awesome Drink Ever.
Final Score: Gatorade may get the job done in a pinch, but coconut water rules.
Update: We just release a new electrolyte concentrate product. Check it out at: LyteShow.com.
Of course, I should remind everyone that our blog entries are for your information only and are not intended as medical advice. Because everyone is different, you should work with your medical professional to determine what’s best for you. If you’re going to drink, do it legally and responsibly; don’t be stupid =).
