IMPACT OF FLUID REPLACEMENT WITH COCONUT WATER ON THE HYDRATION STATUS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DRIFT DURING EXERCISE

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of fluid replacement with coconut water on the hydration status and cardiovascular drift during exercise. Thirteen male volunteers performed three sessions of exercise in bicycle ergometer, submitted to different forms of fluid replacement: no water intake (NW) group; with water intake (WW) group; and with coconut water (WCW) group. Hydration status was determined by percentage body mass changes (∆ % BM) and urine. Heart rate (HR) was recorded to evaluate the cardiovascular drift. There was a significant increase of dehydration in the NW group(∆ % BM = - 1.43 ± 0.15) compared with WW(∆ % BM = - 0.68 ± 0.15) and WCW groups(∆ % BM = - 0.70 ± 0.19). The NW group showed significant increases in HR compared to other groups. It was concluded that coconut water promotes hydration and HR reduction, preventing cardiovascular drift, but similar to water impact.