Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside immature coconuts. As the coconut matures, the water is replaced by coconut meat. Coconut water is sometimes referred to as green coconut water because the immature coconuts are green in color.

Coconut water is different than coconut milk. Coconut milk is produced from an emulsion of the grated meat of a mature coconut.

Coconut water is commonly used as a beverage and as a solution for treating dehydration related to diarrhea or exercise. It is also tried for high blood pressure and to improve exercise performance.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for COCONUT WATER are as follows:

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…

• Diarrhea-related dehydration. Some research shows that consuming coconut water can help prevent dehydration in children with mild diarrhea. But there is no reliable evidence that it is any more effective than other beverages for this use.
• Dehydration caused by exercise. Some athletes use coconut water to replace fluids after exercise. Coconut water helps people rehydrate after exercise, but it does not appear to be more effective than sports drinks or plain water. Some athletes also use coconut water before exercise to prevent dehydration. Coconut water might work better than drinking plain water, but results are still preliminary.
• Exercise performance. Some athletes use coconut water to replace fluids during or after exercise in order to improve their performance during follow-up exercise. Coconut water might help, but it does not appear to be more effective than sports drinks or plain water. Some athletes also use coconut water before exercise to improve endurance. Coconut water might work better than drinking plain water, but results are still preliminary.
• High blood pressure. Some research suggests that drinking coconut water might lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of coconut water for these uses.

Coconut water is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when consumed as a drink. It might cause fullness or stomach upset in some people. But this is uncommon. In large amounts, coconut water might cause potassium levels in the blood to become too high. This might lead to kidney problems and irregular heartbeat.

Coconut water is POSSIBLY SAFE for children.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of coconut water during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

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 levels, especially sodium. Coconut water is not a good fluid to take to increase salt levels in people with cystic fibrosis. Coconut water might contain too little sodium and 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.

Low blood pressure: Coconut water might lower blood pressure. Discuss your use of coconut water with your healthcare provider if you have blood pressure problems.

Kidney problems: Coconut water contains high levels of potassium. Normally, potassium is excreted in the urine if blood levels get too high. However, this doesn’t happen if kidneys are not working normally. Discuss your use of coconut water with your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems.

Surgery: Coconut water might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop using coconut water at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Moderate

Be cautious with this combination.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)

Coconut water might decrease blood pressure. Taking coconut water along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure

Coconut water might lower blood pressure. Using it along with other herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure might lower blood pressure too much. Some of these products include danshen, epimedium, ginger, Panax ginseng, turmeric, valerian, and others.

There are no known interactions with foods.

The appropriate dose of coconut water depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for coconut water. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Agua de Coco, Asian Coconut Water, Coconut Drink, Coconut Fruit Water, Coconut H2O, Coconut Juice, Coconut Palm Water, Coconut Rehydration Solution, Cocos nucifera, 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.

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

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