MANILA, Philippines–Staying properly hydrated is age-old advice that never loses its importance.  Americans have promoted the “eight by eight” rule for generations: eight, 8-ounce servings of water per day to help maintain health and wellness. Whether it’s a long day at the office, a day with the children or exercise outdoors or at the gym – proper hydration allows you to think more clearly and perform at your best.

Options for staying hydrated are plentiful: from plain and enhanced waters and flavored and colored sports drinks, to juices and to a degree, even tea and coffee – as all contain water. Then there’s coconut water, the increasingly popular hydration option born in the US but made from fruit in our own back yard.

We’re all familiar with and enjoy coconut – or buko – in many kinds of foods and drinks.  But it’s coconut water, the clear liquid from inside younger, often green coconuts, that has become the beverage of choice amongst the health-conscious.

Popularized in the last few years as a functional lifestyle beverage in the US, coconut water has found a loyal following amongst health and wellness experts, celebrities and pro-athletes.  The reason: packaged coconut water is naturally rich in electrolytes and other nutrients, and is minimally processed. Coconut water is particularly high in potassium, which helps accelerate the hydration process.

With its sweet and mildly nutty taste, coconut water has less sugar content than most regular sodas and fruit juices, and coconut water’s sugar is largely naturally occurring.  Coconut water’s light viscosity and refreshing taste make it an ideal choice, after plain water, to hydrate naturally.  And coconut water does more than hydrate, it replenishes because of its high potassium levels.

As with any food and trend that has grown substantially, the consumer issue is choice.  There are dozens of coconut waters sold at stores – some sold in cans, some in bottles and for the most premium coconut waters, some sold in Tetra Pak, the popular carton often associated with high-quality organic liquids and foods.

In a tropical climate like The Philippines, where we experience dramatic changes in the weather, we want a beverage that is natural, functional and portable.  Vita Coco coconut water is all those things.  Coconut water has been called the “it” drink and Vita Coco is naturally lower in calories (approximately 60 in a 300-ml container) and rich in the five essential electrolytes.  It’s also one of the few mass market coconut waters that is packaged in Tetra Pak, ensuring that the coconut water’s nutritional integrity and flavor remain that their peak.

Vita Coco is also “never from concentrate.”  Health-minded consumers read labels and those selecting a coconut water for the first time should read labels to ensure that the beverage they select is natural and “not from concentrate.”  Vita Coco’s distinct, colorful packaging makes it a stand-out at retail, and increasingly one of the most popular beverage brands in the world.

For more updates on Vita Coco Coconut Water, please visit their official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/vitacocoph) or follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@vitacocoph).