Product Review: Zico Pure Coconut Water

ZICO is a brand new line of water that delivers us a splash of the tropics with its refreshing concoction. Derived from 100% natural sources, this new sports drink brings every athlete and sports drink lover a delicious alternative to fruity and lemon-based water drinks. Zico Pure Coconut water is made with 99.9% coconut, and is an inspiration from far Asia and South American countries that consume natural coconut on a regular basis. As I enjoy a variety of exotic fruit, especially during the summertime, finding Zico was a well-founded opportunity to incorporate the taste and natural goodness of coconut into my weekly diet. Zico Coconut Water is available in four delicious flavors: Natural, Mango, Passion Fruit, and Orange Peel.

The Natural flavor is pure coconut heaven, with a refreshing and sweet balance. The Mango wins my favor for its true-to-form taste that is likely derived from real mango pulp. Passion Fruit and Orange Peel are both great for alternatives to the standard coconut, and the Passion Fruit is probably the sweetest of the four flavors.

Zico Pure Coconut water is full of electrolytes, potassium and is fairly low in calories. The drink ranks in at a mere 60 calories; this is impressive compared to the variety of high-sugar and high-carb sports drinks available on the market today. Available in a handy portable carton, Zico Pure Coconut Water will stay fresh for 12 months. It is perfect for campers, travelers, and busy workers on the go who are looking for a natural pick-me-up in the middle of the afternoon, or before a workout. Since Zico Coconut Water is full of potassium, reportedly more than can be found in a banana, it is a great source for runners and sprinters to prevent cramping and optimize their performance.

When our bodies are under stress, or even after a heavy workout, its especially important to ramp up our electrolyte intake. Electrolytes keep our nervous system in balance, and prevent overstress and cell overload by keeping salt and other nutrient levels in check. Zico Coconut Water delivers five essential electrolytes to make this possible, and even promises to a lower acidity content that will help with digestion and overall consumption.

I found Zico Coconut Water to be a fantastic addition to smoothies, as well as on its own. It tastes great mixed into a margarita or daiquiri, as the consistency blends well and completely with a variety of mixed drink blends. It’s especially nourishing after a stressful workout, and can pick you up within half an hour of consumption; I enjoyed the Mango Passion flavor after a grueling cardio blast at the health club, and noticed a faster recovery rate. Zico Coconut Water doesn’t have to be refrigerated, but tastes even better with ice or just chilled.

It turns out that Zico’s plantation is located in Brazil, where they cultivate the coconut and other ingredients that make this one of the top choices for sports drinks this year. The ZICO company is heavily focused on sustainable business practices and efficient use of natural resources; the company website reports that ZICO donates 5% of its profits back to the communities it works and develops in. Zico Coconut Water is easiest to purchase online from Amazon.com, as it is sold by the case as well as individually. Since it is such a new product on the market, it may be difficult to find it at your local grocery store. Still, it can also be found at gourmet and natural food stores, and the company is looking for retailer and distributors worldwide as it gains popularity.