It wasn’t that long ago that my beverage intake consisted mainly of Diet Dr. Pepper, powdered fruit punch and low-calorie sports drinks. I seldom even sipped water because it was tasteless and boring. I didn’t understand the importance of good hydration to help detoxify my system. Now that I’m eating clean, water is a staple in my diet. Though sometimes, a new drink is exciting after a long workout. Recently, I stumbled upon my new favorite beverage, maple water.

I don’t find maple syrup all that appealing, so I wasn’t initially drawn to the product. But after regularly seeing it in health food markets and continually hearing its claim of being a natural way to hydrate, I broke down and gave it a try. And to my surprise, I really liked it. And on the plus side, it’s low in sugar and calories, unlike coconut water.

While I no longer count calories, I do try to limit my sugar intake. I found the sweetness of maple water to be subtle and thankfully, not as rich and heavy like maple syrup. The light taste grew on me, too. Like coconut water, I also felt replenished after drinking a 10-ounce bottle post workout. The price is a tad bit higher than raw coconut water, but the few extra pennies won’t prevent me from buying maple water regularly in the future.

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to sports drinks without the artificial ingredients, colors or added sugars, I strongly recommend maple water. Try my favorite kind: Happy Tree. However, I’m not sure if I will jump on the bandwagon for its health benefits alone. Since it’s such a new product, there is no proof of the claim that their vitamins, nutrients and polyphenols promote bone and thyroid health. Stay tuned. I’m sure the media will inquire more if maple water becomes a mainstream drink.

What is your favorite post-workout treat?