Walk into any Whole Foods and it鈥檚 easy to see: coconut water has taken over the beverage industry, becoming a billion-dollar business in the process. No surprise, then, that companies are peddling other waters derived from so-called super-plants, promising performance benefits and improved hydration. A few are suspect (we鈥檙e looking at you, artichoke water), but some are worth a try. Just don鈥檛 expect miracles yet: the market is young, and there isn鈥檛 a lot of science to back up some of the bolder claims.
Drink Maple Water ($3)
What It Is:听.
Purported听Benefits:听Reduces muscle soreness and fatigue, thanks to manganese and malic acid.听
Our Take: The听science is scarce听on maple water, but research shows that the syrup is loaded with antioxidants that boost the听immune system.
鈥媁trmlnWtr听($4)
What It Is:听.听
Purported听Benefits: Aids muscle recovery and delivers twice the potassium of a banana.听
Our Take: It鈥檚 cold pressed, so it retains all the vitamins and nutrients of听the fruit. But watch those calories鈥60听per serving.听
Harmless Harvest Coconut听Water ($3)
What It Is: .听
Purported听Benefits:听Replenishes听fluids as effectively as popular sports drinks do. 听
Our Take: It has less sugar and听sodium than Gatorade and is higher in magnesium, potassium, and phosphorous. Small studies have shown it to be a good replacement for听a sports drink.听
Aloe听Gloe Aloe Water ($2.50)
What It Is:听, taken from the pulp, with cane sugar and water added.听
Purported听Benefits: Promotes digestive balance and strengthens the immune system via an abundance of amino acids.听
Our Take: Research is mixed. Some studies have shown that aloe juice can aid digestion and help circulation. But given the addition of sugar and other flavors (grape, lemon, coconut), we鈥檒l stick to putting aloe on our sunburns.
True Nopal Cactus听Water ($6)
What It Is:听.听
Purported Benefits: Fights inflammation, due to high levels of the antioxidant betalin.听
Our Take: It has half the calories and sugar of coconut water. Some research suggests it could ease hangover symptoms.