Maple Water Is The New Coconut Water
Is one of your favorite activities exploring the aisles of Whole Foods, on the hunt for the healthiest new products?
No, just me?
Regardless, I’m guessing you’ve heard of the “hottest” new drink in the beverage cooler: Maple Water.
Maple water supporters like Lauren Conrad & Co. have been spouting the benefits of this beverage, calling it the new coconut water.
Before we even delve into the specifics, I’d like to first point out that being called “the new coconut water” is not a compliment.
This recent New York Times article put coconut water on blast saying that it’s no better than a glass of a water and banana.
Personally, I’d much rather fill up on that than a glass of sweet/salty liquid.
The Times cited a 2012 study proving that coconut water’s rehydration properties are exactly the same as a bottled water and sports beverages, and revealed that in the past 10 + years coconut water proponents have had to continuously change their message due to false advertising.
This short video sums up the only real reason to drink coconut water…
…because you like the taste.
So now that we understand that there’s nothing cool about being “the new coconut water,” let’s look into maple water’s nutritional profile.
Maple water is essentially the sap from a maple tree. This subtly sweet liquid is boiled down and reduced to make maple syrup. Proponents claim that just as the “water” provides nutrients to the tree, so too can it help humans grow and thrive.
Some of the reported benefits of drinking maple water include strengthening bones, improving muscle function and even controlling blood sugar.
According to one maple water company, maple sap contains “46 essential nutrients – vitamins, minerals, amino and organic acids, prebiotics and polyphenols that help awaken trees from their long winter sleep. They make maple water ideal for quenching your body’s thirst.”
The thing is, this “ideal” mixture of nutrients only accounts for 2.5% of drink, the rest is just water.
An 8.45 oz serving of DRINKmaple contains 20 calories, 4 grams of sugar and 40% of your RDA of manganese. While manganese is a very important mineral for development and metabolism, you don’t need to drink maple water to get it.
You know where else you can get 40% of your RDA of manganese, from a 1/2 cup of spinach.
The gist: maple water is the new coconut water. It’s a trendy drink that claims to possess expansive health benefits, when its only real quality is that it is a “natural,” low-calorie option for people who prefer flavored beverages over water.
If that’s you — and you’re down to spend $3 a bottle — then this may be for you.
There’s nothing unhealthy about maple water or coconut water, there’s just nothing that amazing about them either. I’d encourage you to drink nature’s true “natural” hydrator — water — and eat some whole foods instead.
If you absolutely need flavoring in your water, and want the most natural option possible, try infusing your water with fruit and herbs. Purchase a cheap infusing pitcher and just toss your favorite fruits in the middle to jazz up plain water.
Or, put them straight into your Brita or glass of water.
I made this mixture of cucumber and mint yesterday and it was the bomb.
Simple.
Cat says:
You DARE to take coconut water off it’s hydrating pedestal?! Um… thank you. I was thinking it should be taken down a peg or two ;)
As for maple water… If I can spend a little extra and buy some legit maple syrup and water it down, bottle it and charge a few quid for it, would you want in on the profit? #businessplan
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says:
I think maple water and coconut water are made to sound luxurious, and I agree that it’s probably no better than a banana and some water(with a pinch of salt).
I bet it still tastes refreshing, though!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says:
So I agree with this but not totally. Yes, for simple hydration, water would be better but where my love of coconut water comes in, is when you compare it to other electrolyte/sports drinks i.e. all the ‘-ades’.
It’s definitely the winner against those things
As for maple water- never heard of it; not sure I want to try it lol
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says:
I really like how you give the pros and cons of these. I’ve always thought that coconut water was kind of just hype with sugar. Clearly my browsing around Whole Foods has been lacking bc I’ve never seen maple water. Something to check out!
Dale Janee says:
I actually never really liked the taste of Coconut water and I’ve never heard of Maple Water until I saw this but something about just hearing it reminds me of Maple syrup and I can’t imagine drinking it. I love your idea of the cucumber and mint, I’ll go with that. :))
xoDale
Claudia Rosenbaum says:
Maple Water yuck.
ganeeban says:
So I have this pink fufu coconut water staring at me and now I”m contemplating drinking it. I fell into the hype, but it took me awhile. I buy it for post runs, due to the electrolytes that I thought it had. I guess I was wrong #Fail !! I most recently bought this pink one that is supposed to be so good for you, but now I’m re-thinking my decision…ahhh!! xoxo, ganeeban
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
Thx for the honestly!!!! i have never been a fan… :)
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
I reckon coconut water should be treated like juice or soda- a treat but not deserving of it’s glorified pedestal. Maple water? Geeze, next week it will be cacao water or something.
Charlotte @ Commitness to Fitness says:
I never got into coconut water simply because I don’t like it. I probably will try Maple Water just for the fun of it one day, but won’t look to it as some miracle drink. However that cucumber/mint water sounds delicious- now that’s my kind of miracle drink :)
Alex @ DelishKnowledge says:
I knew we were supposed to be friends! Thank you for taking coconut water down a notch. Am I the only one who thinks it tastes gross?
The yoga studio that I go to just started selling coconut water as the perfect after-yoga hydrator… barf. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes and say what I really think about promoting $3 water :) Anyways- how did I miss maple water!? Guess I need to spend more time at whole foods! :)
Bethann Wagner says:
I don’t know about the ‘new coconut water’ I mean really, nothing can compare! Your beverage looks delish though with that yummy cucumber… very pretty!
Cel says:
Us Canadians have been drinking this since birth ;) still love coco water tho! best for hydrating the bod :)