Hydracoco Coconut Water, SPORT, is this company’s version of coconut water with added Vitamins. Curious, I just had to give it a try. It boasts of added vitamins including Vitamin D, calcium, Iron, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, phosphorous and magnesium.
With coconut water, I like the benefit of potassium, mainly, as inherent from the coconut water itself. When you add Vitamin B12 to that, plus the other vitamins and nutrients, now that’s some awesome refreshing energy drink for sure! With the Hydracoco Sport coconut water, you get 50% of the daily value of Vitamin B12, and 25% DV of the Vitamin B6. The relevance of these two together, I will explain later..
VITAMIN B12 BENEFITS
IMPROVES ENERGY FOR TASK PERFORMANCE. Just to mention a few, Vitamin B12 is known and is essential for energy. A deficiency in this nutrient causes fatigue. Muscles need signaling by neurotransmitters to contract. It is Vitamin B12 that makes this happen. Imagine engaging in your sport with the benefit of coconut water itself, and now, fortified with the energy- giving Vitamin B12! No wonder high performance athletes and sportsmen favor it!
Other benefits:
***GREAT FOR THE DIGESTIVE AND IMMUNE SYSTEM
***IT IS AN ANALGESIC AND A GOOD ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENT
***PROMOTES HEALTHY HAIR, SKIN AND NAILS
***HELPS MAINTAIN A HEALTHY HEART, AND CAN REDUCE RISKS FOR NEUROLOGIC DEGENERATION (May reduce risk for developing dementia/Alzheimer’s disease).
***CAN HELP WITH REDUCING ANXIETY, IMPROVES MOOD.
Now, the above is just a brief summary of the benefits of Vitamin B12. Seeing that the Hydracoco Coconut Water Sport is infused with Vitamin B12, that is just a smart and innovative concept. An interesting combination is also the presence of Vitamin B6, which is a Vitamin B12 enhancer. The body cannot absorb Vitamin B12, without Vitamin B6. Quite an interesting fact. The B Complex Vitamins are considered metabolic enhancers and are crucial to the body being able to convert into energy the nutrients from the food we eat.
Now, the rest of the Vitamins mentioned above found in the Hydracoco Coconut water, are not new to us. Vitamin C for the immune system, and the rest. I will not expound on that. But you get the idea. A great refreshing drink infused with these energy enhancing health supplements just makes it a great sports drink indeed.
Now, about the HYDRACOCO SPORT Coconut water drink. First thing I noticed, was the unique concept of the cap, having a sliver of sharp plastic. Not reading the instructions at first, I did not quite understand what it was for. Apparently, you have to turn the cap upside down over the mouth of the bottle, to cut through the silver metallic covering. What an awesome idea! I hate opening bottle or jar where I have to risk breaking a nail trying to pull and tear that stiff, silver foil covering off.
Personally, the size and shape of this bottle is just perfect for the shape of the hand. Not too big, not too narrow. The bottle is made of a sturdy plastic and for sure, helps with keeping the liquid content’s shelf life. I dropped it a few times at the tennis court in between games. Not a dent. LOL.
THE HYDRACOCO SPORT Taste
I can definitely distinguish the taste between the HYDRACOCO Coconut water in can, and the SPORT version. You can really tell the fortified taste with vitamins. Knowing however, that I am getting some of the nutrients I need daily to enjoy my game, it is way better than leading sports hydration drinks. To me, the HYDRACOCO SPORT version has more of a “boost” if I may explain it that way. My tennis friends who tried it, (because I gave them some to try) loved the taste as well. It is very refreshing chilled. I always carry a cooler with ice packs anyway. As usual, it is really an energizing drink. Playing with crazy tennis buddies who don’t quit playing until lights out? It is an essential.
THE HYDRACOCO COCONUT WATER BRAND
What caught my attention with this product, is it’s story. I tend to be drawn to products who have a “soul”, so to speak. This brand has a commendable story of resilience, and a rising up, from what could be considered a tragedy. It has the component of friendship that withstood challenges and continued to thrive despite the odds.
Out of curiosity, I happened to communicate with one of the owners of HYDRACOCO. Now, for a company’s owner to be so responsive, congenial and taking time to reach out to its consumers, is admirable. I did not have an idea that I was messaging with David Montoto, the Hydracoco co-founder. His words were down to earth, and gave credit to his best friend Alex, (sorry, I do not know his last name) who is the company CEO. He related how this friend kept the Hydracoco dream alive. This was while David himself was going through grave health issues, even to the extent of requiring a kidney / pancreas transplant.
Both very active, Alex was apparently also a health buff and has been an advocate of coconut water for hydration post intensive workouts. David on the other hand, was an active, competitive tennis player. What do you know! He is also of a sport that I am crazy about! These two friends, through the challenges, pulled through and put together this company, now known to 4 countries and over 3000 stores selling their product.
Needless to say, HYDRACOCO as you may have seen on Instagram and the rest of its social media platforms, have people raving about it. I am sure we will be hearing more about the evolution of this company.
For the average person like me, however, I just appreciate that there is a product that I truly like. A hydrating drink that I know, has helped me enjoy a sport I truly love. For many, it has become a staple in their daily workouts and sports they love and engage in!
The coconut water craze has hit America. But there are truly benefits to this popular tropical plant commonly found in the tropics including Southeast Asia, which is the most common source of coconut water found in grocery and health food store shelves currently.
There is much available literature about coconut water. I encourage you to read further about it.
As there are not many real coconuts to harvest pure coconut water locally, I have to look for that source somewhere else.
GREAT SPORTS HYDRATION
Although it is an acquired taste for some people, not everyone has developed a liking to its taste, however. I personally gravitated to coconut water replacing the more common sports drink that I was used to when playing tennis.
It is my personal experience that using coconut water to hydrate during recreational tennis games, allowed me to last longer and enjoy the sport better. I am by no means a pro tennis player but do enjoy the game as a preferred exercise routine and recreation. I and some colleagues play tennis 2 – times a week, for about 3 – 4 hours at a time. This is after an 8 – 9 hour workday, mind you.
I daresay that coconut water seems to extend my tolerance to all the running and hitting, without getting too sore the next day. It makes getting up early for work the next day easier! I have tried several brands and I do like to share my personal experience with these different brands.
HYDRACOCO BRAND COCONUT WATER
#Hydra Coco caught my attention recently. I browsed through the listing for coconut water on Amazon. (What can I say, I love Amazon!) I am always on the lookout for different brands. I do mind the price and quantity and the convenience of taking it with me to the tennis courts.
This was my first taste of #Hydra Coco coconut water.
Upon reading the labels, it showed 18 grams of sugars and no added sugar. Hmmm. 80 Calories total. Potassium was listed at 376 mg, and even Vitamin C at 18 mg, among others.
What I look for however is products that are NOT FROM CONCENTRATE, and are natural coconut water. Hydra coco definitely met this requirement for me.
The #Hydra Coco package boasts of this product being cholesterol-free, fat-free, Non- GMO, Gluten-free, and containing 5 essential electrolytes. Sounds good to me. WebMD indicated that coconut water can be equivalent to about 4 bananas. I guess I prefer that to munch on 4 bananas just to get through a tennis game. No brainer!
The Packaging: I would say #Hydra Coco’s packaging is very neat. It handled shipping well, at 11.1 fl oz. per can, there are 12 in each box. The design is attractive as well. Very sporty and trendy. Designed very well for sure. Pleasing to the eye.
I took the first gulp and I noticed that indeed, it does not taste sugary; Kind of mild and more natural tasting. Having tasted what fresh from the tree coconut water tastes like, I’d say, this tastes very close to the real deal. It did not have an aftertaste. It did taste better chilled.
It is indeed hydrating and made a big difference when playing tennis. I can handle 3 – 4 hours playing easy. I can usually finish 2 cans of the Hydra Coco coconut water and 2 bottles of water to balance it out. I have experienced no cramps during the game, which usually plague me with regular sports drinks. No soreness the day after either. I’m a fan of coconut water.
#Hydra Coco is manufactured by a small Miami-based company, and I do support smaller and local companies by featuring unbiased reviews of their products if I had a personal experience with them.
THE VERDICT
I definitely give #Hydra Coco a big👍thumbs up.
– 👍Packaging
– 👍Price (Very reasonable for a 12-can box, $20.99)
– 👍Taste
– 👍Value (Worth the money for a quality product)
It’s definitely worth a try. I am for sure, will be using this product. Again, this is an independent and personal review and I am in no way affiliated with the manufacturers and Amazon.
Stress can come in many forms and shapes. It happens in everyday life. Traffic, being pressed for time, health concerns, relationships, family, a job can be sources of stress. If allowed to rule your life, it can cause psychosomatic disorders that can manifest in health issues.
Do you feel more stressed out than ever? Is your work life so hectic that you’re starting to burn out? Just faced with a financial crisis? How about the recent pandemic and how it affected your life? I don’t even want to delve into that one. All of us have been affected by it one way or the other.
Unfortunately, it is up to us to deal with this. Short of paying big bucks for a mental health therapist, let me share easy ways to help alleviate stress. The little things and adaptations we make in our lifestyle can make a big difference. Situations may differ but our bodies react similarly to the physiological effects of stress. So here goes.
If you’re desperately seeking peace and relief from the hustle and bustle of your demanding life, the good news is that you have the power to adopt simple strategies you can use to combat stress.
I am realistic. You or I may never eliminate stress entirely. I talk to people every day with varying degrees of stress. In fact, a life without stress would be pretty boring. The challenges of life often make it worth living. However, employing a few simple strategies to reduce stress will increase your peace and happiness, even in the midst of life’s storms.
Exercise
Working out can be a great way to relieve stress. Whether you go jogging, pump some iron, or hit the punching bag for several minutes, the physical activity allows you to channel all the frustration you’re holding inside and release it in a constructive manner. Walk it off: by yourself or with someone. You can never underestimate walking outside and seeing nature, the sun, great weather, and just beholding nature in itself.
Water has a great calming effect on the brain. It may be because we are closely related to water as organic beings. It gives you time to think, promotes circulation that can also reach your brain, filling brain cells with more oxygen for it to function better. Oxygen is found in our red blood cells. With better circulation, oxygen can get circulated better which helps your body get revitalized.
Music
Music can greatly influence your mood. Among its many benefits of boosted memory, it can lighten your mood, reduce anxiety, and even improve your response to pain. Have you heard of how music calms down children with attention deficit disorders? (ADD).
Music therapy has become relevant to alternative therapies for different ailments. Sometimes, all it takes to gain peace and focus is a few minutes of listening to music that soothes you inside. Different types of music affect your mood in different ways and pick a style that suits your emotional need of the moment can dramatically lower the level of stress you feel inside.
When you’re feeling stressed, try upbeat music. When you’re down in the dumps, you want something that’ll perk you up and lift your spirits. Few things can lift your mood faster than music. How about picking up that guitar you haven’t strummed in a while? Or tinkering with those white and black keys on your keyboard? Even singing karaoke, or just singing along with the music of your favorite artists can make a difference. Experience music in all its forms. YOu have your own unique way of responding to the music of your choice.
Try it!
Nutrition
When one is stressed, there are two behaviors in response. To overeat, which can risk unhealthy weight gain, or to under eat, where one can be undernourished and not get the nutrients your body needs to fight stress.
Heard of the proverbial ice cream eating while watching TV after a relationship fail or conflict? Yup, that’s very common. When one feels stressed, there is that feeling of wanting to console that empty feeling through instant gratification such as eating. I have heard of people who shop and overspend, only to realize they don’t really need things they have bought. Even go into debt as one does not think clearly when stressed. Emotion rules. Impulse buying can also be the result of this feeling of wanting to fill a need or an empty feeling.
If your body isn’t getting the proper nutrition it needs, you’re more likely to feel tired and stressed out.
Breakfast is the most neglected meal of the day for busy people. It is called as so, “Break – the ” fast” from sleeping overnight. Fill that belly and feed that body so you have the energy you need to face the day. And make sure it’s a good one too. Balance out your carbs and protein. It does make a difference. Eating healthy prevents from being sluggish, clouded, droopy, and slow to respond to situations or decision-making.
Meals and snacks are fuel for your body. Are you eating the types of foods that contribute positively to your health?
Keep track of what you eat in a daily log. This simple step will make you more aware of what you’re eating, which often leads to automatically making healthier choices, like these:
Drink as much water as possible.
Add as many fruits and vegetables as you can to your diet.
Look for tasty, healthier alternatives to junk food.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Small changes in your diet can make a big difference in how you feel and how effectively you handle stress.
Breathing
Breathing is life. Good gas exchange ensures that your body gets the oxygen it needs to function better. This means move better, think better.
If you learn to control your breathing, you can control the levelof stress you feel. Slow, deep breathing takes practice, but a little effort goes a long way. Once you learn to take slow, deep breaths from your belly, you’ll have an unstoppable weapon against stress.
Breathing plays a big part in our lives. Even beyond the obvious biological necessity, it comes into play when exercising, giving birth, easing fears, and even releasing stress.
Deep breathing slows your heart rate down and relaxes your muscles. It also helps you to calm down mentally. Shallow breaths create a feeling of anxiety within you. Deep breaths fuel your body’s cells with much-needed oxygen and your mind with much-needed confidence in the midst of the challenges you face.
BREATHING TIPS TO OPTIMIZE BENEFITS:
Breathe in through your nose slowly as if trying to fill in your lungs completely. Then, as you exhale, purse your lips as if in a kiss, and count 3 seconds mentally before you completely let all the air out. Repeat this about three times at a time, throughout the day and whenever you get a chance. Doing this deep breathing at least 10 times is also known to lower your blood pressure for a bit.
You can in fact try taking your blood pressure before you do this breathing exercise. After about 10 times, take your blood pressure again. Breathing allows capillaries to open and improve blood flow throughout the body.
With these simple strategies, you can learn to practice peace wherever you are.
Stress is all around us and can come in many shapes and forms. Instead of being tossed about in the midst of your storms, you’ll stand strong and handle challenges more effectively. Life is a gift. Use it wisely.
Experience the confidence and inner peace you deserve by applying these simple stress management strategies today.
Now, about the HYDRACOCO SPORT Coconut water drink. First thing I noticed, was the unique concept of the cap, having a sliver of sharp plastic. Not reading the instructions at first, I did not quite understand what it was for. Apparently, you have to turn the cap upside down over the mouth of the bottle, to cut through the silver metallic covering. What an awesome idea! I hate opening bottle or jar where I have to risk breaking a nail trying to pull and tear that stiff, silver foil covering off.
