Coconut Water
OTHER NAME(S): Asian Coconut Water, Coconut Drink, Coconut Fruit Water, Coconut H2O, Coconut Juice, Coconut Palm Water, Coconut Rehydration Solution, Eau de Coco, Eau de Coco Verte, Eau de Jeune Coco, Eau de Jeunes Noix de Coco, Eau de Noix de Coco, Eau de Noix de Coco d'Asie, Eau du Fruit du Cocotier, Fresh Young Coconut Water, Green Coconut Water, Kabuaro Water, Young Coconut Water, Cocos nucifera, Agua de Coco, Eau de coco
Overview
Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside immature coconuts (Cocos nucifera). As the coconut matures, the water is replaced by coconut meat.
Coconut water is rich in carbohydrates and electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Because of these electrolytes, there’s a lot of interest in using coconut water to treat and prevent dehydration. Coconut water is sometimes called green coconut water because the immature coconuts are green.
People commonly use coconut water as a beverage and as a solution for treating dehydration related to diarrhea or exercise. It’s also used for high blood pressure and athletic performance, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don’t confuse coconut water with coconut or coconut oil. These are not the same. Also, coconut water is different than coconut milk. Coconut milk is made from a mixture of the grated meat of a mature coconut.
Uses
We currently have no information for Coconut Water overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Coconut water is commonly consumed as a drink and is likely safe. It’s usually well-tolerated.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Coconut water is commonly consumed as a drink and is likely safe. It’s usually well-tolerated.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Coconut water is commonly consumed as a drink. There isn't enough reliable information to know if coconut water is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Coconut water is commonly consumed as a drink and seems to be safe for children. As medicine, it’s possibly safe when used appropriately.
Cystic fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis can lower salt levels in the body. Some people with cystic fibrosis need to take fluids or pills to increase salt (sodium) levels. Coconut water doesn’t contain enough salt to increase salt levels in people with cystic fibrosis. Also, it might contain too much potassium. Don't drink coconut water as way to increase salt levels if you have cystic fibrosis.
High levels of potassium in the blood: Coconut water contains high levels of potassium. Don't drink coconut water if you have high levels of potassium in the blood.
Kidney problems: Coconut water contains high levels of potassium. Normally, potassium is excreted in the urine if blood levels get too high. But this doesn’t happen if the kidneys aren’t working normally. If you have kidney problems, talk to your healthcare provider before taking coconut water.
Surgery: Coconut water might interfere with blood pressure and blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using coconut water at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Coconut WaterCoconut water might lower blood pressure. Taking coconut water along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Coconut WaterCoconut water might lower blood sugar levels. Taking coconut water along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Dosing
Coconut water is commonly consumed as a drink. It’s rich in carbohydrates and electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium.
As medicine, it’s been used by adults in varying doses. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
References
- Adams W, Bratt DE. Young coconut water for home rehydration in children with mild gastroenteritis. Trop Geogr Med 1992;44:149-53.
- Fagundes Neto U, Franco L, Tabacow K, Machado NL. Negative findings for use of coconut water as an oral rehydration solution in childhood diarrhea. J Am Coll Nutr 1993;12:190-3.
- Camargo AA, Fagundes Neto U. Intestinal transport of coconut water sodium and glucose in rats "in vivo". J Pediatr (Rio J) 1994;70:100-4.
- Campbell-Falck D, Thomas T, Falck TM, et al. The intravenous use of coconut water. Am J Emerg Med 2000;18:108-11.
- Saat M, Singh R, Sirisinghe RG, Nawawi M. Rehydration after exercise with fresh young coconut water, carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage and plain water. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002;21:93-104.
- Ismail I, Singh R, Sirisinghe RG. Rehydration with sodium-enriched coconut water after exercise-induced dehydration. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2007;38:769-85.
- Alleyne T, Roache S, Thomas C, Shirley A. The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks. West Indian Med J 2005;54:3-8.
- Kalman DS, Feldman S, Krieger DR, Bloomer RJ. Comparison of coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink on measures of hydration and physical performance in exercise-trained men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2012;9(1):1.
- Peart DJ, Hensby A, Shaw MP. Coconut water does not improve markers of hydration during sub-maximal exercise and performance in a subsequent time trial compared with water alone. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2017;27(3):279-284.
- Rees R, Barnett J, Marks D, George M. Coconut water-induced hyperkalaemia. Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 2012;73(9):534.
- Sayer R, Sinha I, Lowdon J, Panickar J. Preventing hyponatraemic dehydration in cystic fibrosis: a cautionary note to take coconut water with a pinch of salt. Arch Dis Child 2014;99(1):90.
- Laitano O, Trangmar SJ, Marins DDM, et al. Improved exercise capacity in the heat followed by coconut water consumption. Motriz: Revista de Educação Física 2014;20:107-111.
- Hakimian J, Goldbarg SH, Park CH, Kerwin TC. Death by coconut. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2014 Feb;7(1):180-1.
- Majeed M, Majeed S, Nagabhushanam K, Mundkur L, Neupane P, Shah K. Clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hair serum product in healthy adult male and female volunteers with hair fall. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:691-700.
- Zhang X, Peng L, Dai Y, Sheng X, Chen S, Xie Q. Effects of coconut water on retina in diabetic rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2020;2020:9450634.
- Birkelund T, Johansen RF, Illum DG, et al. Fatal 3-nitropropionic acid poisoning after consuming coconut water. Emerg Infect Dis 2021;27(1):278-280.
- Alatawi KA, Alshubaily FA. Coconut products alleviate hyperglycaemic, hyperlipidimic and nephropathy indices in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar rats. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021;28(8):4224-4231.
- Dai Y, Peng L, Zhang X, et al. Effects of coconut water on blood sugar and retina of rats with diabetes. PeerJ. 2021;9:e10667.
- Wei J, Zhao M, Meng K, et al. The Diuretic Effects of Coconut Water by Suppressing Aquaporin and Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Saline-Loaded Rats. Front Nutr 2022;9:930506.
- Kedia S, Virmani S, Bajaj A, et al. Coconut Water Induces Clinical Remission in Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024;22(6):1295-1306.
- O'Brien BJ, Bell LR, Hennessy D, Denham J, Paton CD. Coconut Water: A Sports Drink Alternative?. Sports (Basel) 2023;11(9):183.
- Soriano LP, Rollins MD, Barreto Chang OL. Case Report of Hyponatremic Seizures in a Term Neonate Attributed to Excessive Maternal Coconut Water Ingestion During Labor. A A Pract 2024;18(7):e01815.