Is it a good casual beverage?
Possibly. Here are a few things to consider. Do you need the 45-60 calories an 8-ounce serving of coconut water provides? If these calories put you over your daily calorie needs, you could easily gain 5-6 pounds in a year. If you aren't active enough to fend off the pounds, plain water might be a better bet.
One of coconut water's claims to fame is its high potassium. Americans usually fall short of their daily requirement of potassium, mainly because they don't eat enough fruits and veggies. However, coconut water also contains sodium. Just how much depends on the brand. That might be a concern if you, like most Americans, already have too much sodium in your diet.
If you've tried coconut water, what do you think? Did you feel super hydrated and replenished, as fans claim? Will you continue to drink it?