By Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times
\nIf a can of coconut water and a banana smoothie had a baby, it might be banana water. The latest plant-based hydration beverage on the market is being touted as \u201cthe peel good beverage\u201d that offers \u201ca bunch of nutrients.\u201d And it\u2019s drumming up attention on social media.
\n\u201cBoyfriend says it has aromatics of slightly overripe banana,\u201d one Reddit user, leemoongrass, commented, adding, \u201cIt honestly isn\u2019t that bad.\u201d
\n\u201cIt smells like baby food,\u201d lsp2c said on Instagram.
\nNot to be confused with banana water for plants, a DIY fertilizer made by soaking banana peels in water to extract nutrients, such as potassium and vitamin C, for your flora. Or homemade banana drinks, such as hot water steeped with banana peels and strained, or blended banana smoothies.
\nThe new drink, sold in supermarkets, is being marketed as an alternative to sports drinks, a sort of coconut water 2.0.<\/p>\n
Both Woodstock and Banagua, leading manufacturers of banana water, make their banana water in Thailand from organic \u201cThai golden\u201d and \u201cThai cultivated\u201d bananas, which are shorter and stubbier-looking than the standard yellow bananas sold in most American supermarkets and which have a slight pinkish tint. The fruit gets pinker in the processing and the drink has a pinkish hue.
\nIf you\u2019re a label ogler, the ingredient list will put you at ease. Banana water contains just one ingredient: bananas. There\u2019s no significant water added to it. A banana is 80% water, Banagua co-founder Rob Smithson says, and the processing of the drink (an \u201cenzymatic process\u201d) separates the water from the pulp \u2014 the drink is slightly viscous but not pulpy.
\nWoodstock\u2019s bananas are steamed and mashed with \u201cproprietary enzymes\u201d to release nutrients. \u201cThink of it as liquefied bananas,\u201d says Bruce Bruemmer, vice president of brand management at UNFI Brands+, Woodstock\u2019s parent company.<\/p>\n
The upshot? Both companies say their banana water is especially healthy, brimming with electrolytes like potassium, B6 and magnesium, as well as minerals and antioxidants such as vitamin A and C. The drink has no added sugar, and zero fat, sodium and cholesterol, though a 330ml can does have about 13 grams of carbohydrates, slightly less than Naked coconut water\u2019s 14 grams in a container of the same size.
\nSo how healthy is banana water, what does it taste like, and is it worth the hype? Here\u2019s the deal.
\nManufacturer\u2019s claims: \u201cOur banana water has 205 mg of magnesium \u2014 50% of the daily value,\u201d Smithson says of Banagua\u2019s Original Banana, which went on the market in July 2025. \u201cAnd it\u2019s especially hydrating \u2014 probably 2-3 bananas per can, which you can bring anywhere and you don\u2019t have to worry about moldy bananas. And just 50 calories \u2014 Naked\u2019s coconut water has 60.\u201d
\nWoodstock\u2019s 500ml can of banana water, which went on the market in March 2024, has just 80 calories. \u201cOur Woodstock Organic Banana Water stands out for its great taste and natural hydration,\u201d Bruemmer says, \u201cdelivering 765mg of electrolytes \u2014 similar to many sports drinks \u2014 without any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nutritionists\u2019 take: \u201cIt\u2019s probably a sequel to coconut water,\u201d says Dr. Thomas Sherman, a professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center. \u201cIt would appeal to people who are worried about animal wellness and saturated fat in their milk drinks or who are worried about too high sugar \u2014 so this fits the bill. But I question its effectiveness \u2014 these types of beverages offer such trivial amounts of electrolytes compared to what\u2019s already in our food. And it\u2019s expensive.
\nSherman says that, in the end, it comes down to the consumer\u2019s intentions for choosing banana water.
\n\u201cIf you\u2019re buying it because of the taste, and you want to support a plant-based beverage, and [because] it\u2019s fairly low sugar, then fine,\u201d he says. \u201cBut if you\u2019re buying it because you\u2019re interested in getting more potassium and magnesium and calcium with low sodium, then it\u2019s silly because just eat plants, eat food, that\u2019s going to supply hundreds of times more potassium and calcium and magnesium.\u201d
\nCategorizing banana water as a sports drink is problematic, adds Vanessa King, a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in supplements.
\n\u201cSports drinks replace electrolytes,\u201d King says. \u201cThe problem with banana water is that while bananas are very high in potassium, the electrolyte that you predominantly lose when you exercise is sodium \u2014 and it doesn\u2019t provide sodium. I would not choose it over a sports drink.\u201d
\nKing points out that \u201cbanana juice,\u201d as she calls it, suffers from the same concerns as other juices: \u201cIt\u2019s more concentrated sugar without the fiber you\u2019d get from the fruit version.\u201d
\nBut any amount of potassium, magnesium, vitamin A and C \u2014 all key nutrients in banana water \u2014 is helpful, King says. \u201cThey\u2019re all nutrients that are generally under-consumed by Americans. But bananas also have those nutrients!\u201d<\/p>\n
The taste: We found it sweet and tropical-tasting, slightly viscous but surprisingly refreshing. However, we didn\u2019t go bananas for it.
\nCost: Banagua\u2019s Original Banana (330ml): $3.49; Woodstock\u2019s Organic Banana Water (500ml): $2.99.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, banana water is a new plant-based hydration beverage that is being marketed as an alternative to sports drinks. While it does contain some beneficial nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C, its effectiveness as a sports drink is questionable due to its lack of sodium. Additionally, its high price point may be a deterrent for some consumers. However, for those looking for a low-sugar, plant-based beverage option, banana water may be worth considering.<\/p>\n
Q: What is banana water?
\nA: Banana water is a plant-based hydration beverage made from organic bananas, containing electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
\nQ: How is banana water made?
\nA: Banana water is made by steaming and mashing bananas with proprietary enzymes to release nutrients, and then separating the water from the pulp through an enzymatic process.
\nQ: Is banana water a good source of electrolytes?
\nA: Yes, banana water is a good source of electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C, but it lacks sodium, which is an important electrolyte lost during exercise.
\nQ: Can banana water be used as a sports drink?
\nA: While banana water does contain some beneficial nutrients, its lack of sodium makes it a less effective sports drink compared to other options.
\nQ: How much does banana water cost?
\nA: The cost of banana water varies depending on the brand and size, with prices ranging from $2.99 to $3.49 per can.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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