NatNews

Water is an essential component the human body needs, but not everyone is a fan of its lack of taste. Various companies have taken advantage of this, creating alternatives that provide individuals options to get the hydration they need without feeling like they’re having to force down water when they would prefer something a little more exciting.

Enter coconut water. The beverage has grown in popularity in recent years, but there are mixed opinions on whether or not it’s actually a more enjoyable option than water or merely a drink that makes a person sound healthy and a bit upscale. Dallas-area resident Kim Endo-Campbell said she doesn’t know exactly why she likes coconut water but does and often drinks it after going for a run.

“It’s a good electrolyte drink,” she said. “Some like it because it’s more natural or is less sweet. I can’t say I’ve had it consistently enough to notice a difference in my life from drinking it, but I do feel a little bougie when I have it instead of plain water or Gatorade.”

According to an exclusive NatNews research initiative, 36 percent of dear readers who participated in a recent survey indicated they don’t love but also don’t hate coconut water, while 32 percent said they don’t like the taste, 26 percent enjoy drinking it, and 6 percent haven’t bothered to try it. Dallas resident Becca Finke is in that majority neutral camp and said she sees the beverage as an option to spice things up every once in a while.

“I’ve tried several brands of coconut water and don’t like it but don’t dislike it, either,” she said. “I simply drink it because plain old water is boring.”

Dallas-area resident JT Gordon is similar to Finke in his viewpoint of coconut water, but he said he drinks a powdered version every day in his pre-workout and an actual water version approximately every two or three weeks.

“I don’t really like the taste of it,” he said. “The best-tasting is the chocolate-flavored version. It’s good for hydration, specifically potassium.”

And while coconut water certainly has advantages that can help a person refuel, some people, including Dallas resident Juliette Vielhauer, would rather consume other drinks for such purposes.

“I’m not particularly fond of coconut water because of its flavor,” she said. “Although I recognize its hydration benefits, after trying it a few times, it’s just not my preference.”

One might wonder why a flavored water is more special than others and why some people still drink it in spite of their aversion to the taste. Many athletes have begun drinking coconut water as an alternative to sugary sports beverages, and individuals with stomach bugs or severe cases of dehydration use it as a go-to electrolyte drink, as it contains a significant amount of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Though Vielhauer doesn’t prefer to drink it, she understands why people who don’t mind the taste choose it.

“With many sugary and preserved hydration options available, opting for natural alternatives is ideal for daily use,” she said.

Finke said she also thinks coconut water has become more popular with people and athletes, in particular, because of its high amount of electrolytes, similar to sports drinks but without all of the added sugar. She doesn’t think it’s superior, though.

“I haven’t seen any benefits,” she said. “My go-to beverage for hydration and electrolytes is Gatorade Zero because it has zero sugar, tastes delicious, and still keeps me hydrated and electro-lit.”

Though Endo-Campbell is a fan of coconut water, it’s not necessarily her first choice for hydration. She enjoys using Tailwind, offering hydration mixes of a variety of flavors, but said she has to be mindful of her sodium intake, especially in the winter, and sometimes only takes half of a serving in the colder months.

“The flavors of Tailwind are good—there’s a large variety, and there is also a naked flavor for when you get flavor fatigue or if you don’t like super strong flavors,” she said. “It’s also easy on the stomach, so I can drink it all ultra long. I highly recommend the Dauwaltermelon flavor. When not running, I am a water gal with some flavoring in it to make it less boring. I have enough soy sauce in my diet, so I am not worried about needing a lot of extra sodium.”

While coconut water can help hydrate, maintain muscle function, regulate body function, aid in bone health, and even contribute to healthier skin, it’s not for everyone. What’s important is that an individual ensures that he or she is drinking plenty of fluids each day, especially after exercising.

“Personally, I prioritize hydration with ample water intake daily,” Vielhauer said. “However, during hot summer months or extended workouts, I occasionally turn to products like Liquid IV, LMNT, or Gatorade Zero for their electrolyte replenishment. Moderation is key, and I believe each option serves its purpose.”

3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls every second.

There are several options for individuals throughout the Dallas area when it comes to grocery stores, but there are certain stores that are more accessible to some people than others, depending on the part of town in which they reside. H-E-B, which has become somewhat of a Texas staple to which many individuals have developed a dedicated affinity, is one of those stores that is simply out of reach for some residents who aren’t in Collin County—not everyone is willing to drive to Plano or Frisco.

Dallas resident Carolyn Fan said she is highly passionate about her grocery store preferences, as she believes that H-E-B is far superior to all others, but its lack of stores near her has caused her to purchase her groceries elsewhere.

“That is the biggest downside of Dallas,” she said. “I shop at both Tom Thumb and Kroger. Tom Thumb is biking distance from me, so I go there if I just need one or two things or if my work schedule is crazier than usual. Kroger is on my way back from work. It seems cheaper, and it tends to have more of the products that I need. Trader Joe’s is for fun shopping.”

Dallas resident Drew Mbiam said an issue he currently has is that he’s only willing to drive 10 to 12 miles to a grocery store, and like Fan, he prefers the beloved one that’s just a bit too far past the 635 borderline.

“My favorite grocery store is actually H-E-B, but there’s not one in Dallas or nearby,” he said. “Before people say we have H-E-B, I would challenge them to name said H-E-B located within Dallas city limits—not the greater Dallas area.”

As a result, Mbiam must find what he needs elsewhere, and he opts for Costco because of the items available in bulk to help him refuel for all of the many miles he runs.

“I have to consume enough calories to power a small family, otherwise I’d waste away into nothing or just look very sick,” he said.

Convenience seems to play a key role in people’s choices for where they load up their carts. Dallas resident Craig Borkenhagen said he shops most often at Trader Joe’s because he likes the quality of the available products, particularly the produce, as well as its walkability from his home.

“I wouldn’t go out of my way to go to a better store,” he said. “To me, there isn’t much difference between your Walmarts, your Krogers, and your Tom Thumbs, although I admit I’m not very familiar with that last one, as I have only been inside one once,” he said. “Then it depends on what you see as superior. Superior product quality is going to be Central Market, but I don’t care to pay that much all the time. I do go there for specific things that I can’t find anywhere else, though.”

Similar to Borkenhagen, Fan isn’t willing to travel far for her groceries, as she admittedly does not like driving.

“I am lucky enough that I can get to Kroger, Tom Thumb, and Trader Joe’s in a relatively short amount of time,” she said. “I definitely understand the meaning of food deserts, even though I am fortunate enough to have a reliable form of transportation.”

Different people prioritize different aspects of grocery stores when choosing where to shop, which can often determine whether or not a person opts to stock his or her pantry and refrigerator with products from the nearest store or one a little farther away but more preferred. Borkenhagen said the most important factor for him is a bit mixed.

“I care about price somewhat—like I said, I’m not going to Central Market all the time, but I’m also not shopping at the absolute least expensive places,” he said. “For product quality, it depends on what product I’m looking for. I don’t care about specific brands too much. I guess the most important thing ends up being proximity or convenience. I really like living so close to a Trader Joe’s—it’s so convenient to be able to take an evening stroll on a Sunday and get most, if not all, of what I need for the week.”

For Fan, who has a busy schedule working as an ER doctor, the two most important components of a grocery store align with Borkenhagen’s, as she values those that offer the availability of products she eats daily and convenience.

“If I had more free time, dependents, or more monetary restrictions, I would probably shop more at Walmart and Sam’s Club or Costco,” she said. “Since it is just me (and my cat), I don’t have to worry too much about cost—though, I do spend a lot of my free time getting free hospital food to reduce my grocery store costs.”

Mbiam also factors in his grocery bill less than other concerns and has a ranking for his levels of importance: quality, availability, quantity, and then prices.

“If you don’t have quality produce and products available in quantities I’d like to buy, why would I spend my hard-earned coins there?” he said. “There’s no price that will get me through those doors if the top three conditions aren’t met.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Dash Merrill, the official mascot of NatNews, is a psycho angel full of love

Monday, June 24: Monday Night Karaoke at Legacy Hall
Tuesday, June 25: Free Rooftop Movie — In the Heights at Sundown at Granada
Wednesday, June 26: ABBA Under the Stars at Sky Blue Rooftop Bar; Pickleball Mixer at Preston Playhouse; Megan Thee Stallion at the American Airlines Center
Thursday, June 27: Cool Thursdays Concert Series — The Windbreakers, Ultimate Yacht Rock at the Dallas Arboretum; Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center
Friday, June 28: Candlelight — A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings at Cathedral of Hope
Saturday, June 29: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; Independence Day Celebration at Klyde Warren Park; Market Street Allen USA 2024 at Celebration Park
Sunday, June 30: An Evening with James Van Der Beek and Screening of Varsity Blues at House of Blues Dallas