Super Nu!

Long-time paddler and nu enthusiast Reuben Dearlove believes the true nutritional benefits of the widely considered super-food are only just starting to be confirmed by science – and more discoveries about the positive properties of young coconut are due.

Many paddlers consume the liquid inside nu (young coconut) during the recovery phase of training.

The natural thirst-quencher and isotonic beverage is rich in electrolytes, which help rehydrate the body and stave off fatigue.

“It’s now considered by many researchers as a super food, including the young coconut flesh. I think they are still discovering the benefits of it.”

Dearlove said it was best to start the recovery process from a long training session by drinking nu towards the end of a paddle, as it was a diuretic.

“We did a three and a half hour paddle last Saturday and about 45 minutes from home we started drinking nu. It gives you energy and starts to help with your recovery, and while it depends on how much you are training, most paddlers will normally have one after each session.”

As an athlete and health enthusiast, Dearlove favours nu over the manufactured isotonic drinks available, as it is completely natural.

“When you are putting your body under a lot of pressure it’s better to try to put as little crap in there as possible. It’s already under stress and by adding chemicals you’re not helping it out.”

He said older paddlers advocated the consumption of nu after years of experience, and it was even used during World War Two as a saline solution for injured soldiers.

“It’s naturally sterile so it can be transported anywhere and kept at any temperature and it will never go off so they used to use it in WW2 as a direct IV (intravenous) saline solution.”