Coconut Water for Athletes?

Coconut products (coconut milk, coconut water, coconut meat) have been peaking interest of many consumers in the last 3-4 years or so now. There are references, of late, in many places about the electrolyte/rehydrating value in coconut water and how it can be used as a substitute for water or sugar-laden drinks post athletic exercise. On some of the coconut water you purchase, you may even see this indicated as a marketing ploy.  Additionally, it is touted to be a great electrolyte replacement, in general, which could be of interest to moms looking for a option to re-hydrate kids who have been sick as well. I actually prefer a coconut water over a Gatorade, for example as it just seems more refreshing and natural to me where those sports drinks seem too sweet for me. It makes you wonder if these are actually better than water? Here is a study published on the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition site in January 2012.  It is a study that is fairly easy to read and summarize (unlike most clinical studies).   Take a peak at the conclusion.  Basically, it tells us that, in this study anyway, that water, coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink seems to prove the same/similar results in terms of rehydrating post-exercise.  They did not seem to prove that coconut water was better or worse.  Interesting, because the study was funded by a coconut water company; VitaCoco Company, NY.    It does state, however, that additional studies could be conducted to measure the post-rehydrating differently.  So the question still remains, is anything really better at rehydrating, in terms of excercise/athletic performance than water?  I would think this can be a very difficult subject to prove, either way in that every one's body may have a different capacity to perform AND recover anyway... What do you think?  Watch for more studies about coconut water as we continue to see more and more of them in our supermarket shelves.  Are the natural sugars in the coconut water healthier for us than sugary sports drinks?