Beverages · Drink
Coconut Water
Cocos nucifera (the liquid inside the fruit) · also called Young coconut water, tender coconut water, agua de coco (Spanish)
Coconut water is the clear liquid inside a coconut. It has potassium and some natural sugar, about 44 calories in a cup of the unsweetened packaged kind. In small trials in fit young adults it rehydrated about as well as a sports drink, and results against plain water were mixed. Claims for blood pressure, diabetes and colitis rest on very little human research. The main cautions are potassium for people with kidney disease or on potassium-raising medicines, and sugar.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Coconut Water
Coconut water is the clear liquid inside a coconut. It has potassium, some sodium and natural sugar, unlike plain water. It is a drink, not a proven remedy: the hydration trials are small and mixed, and the claims about blood pressure, diabetes and colitis rest on very little human research.
What it is
Coconut water is the clear liquid inside the coconut, the fruit of Cocos nucifera (palm family). It is sold fresh in the nut, or bottled and boxed as a ready-to-drink beverage. It is different from coconut milk, which is made from the white coconut meat.
Per 100 g, the USDA unsweetened ready-to-drink item has 18 kcal, 3.92 g of sugars, 165 mg of potassium and 26 mg of sodium, with no fat, fibre or caffeine. A 1 cup (245 g) serving has about 44 kcal, 10.4 g of carbohydrate, 9.6 g of sugars, 404 mg of potassium and 64 mg of sodium, and about 24 mg of vitamin C and 0.54 mg of manganese.
Fresh and packaged are not the same
USDA also lists raw liquid from coconuts. Per 100 g it has more potassium (250 mg) and sodium (105 mg) and less sugar (2.61 g) than the unsweetened ready-to-drink item, and 1.1 g of fibre. Values vary with the coconut, its ripeness, processing and brand. The age of the nut changes the make-up too: one study described composition by type and age.
Sweetened or flavoured products will have more sugar. The USDA data here are for an unsweetened product, so check the label.
What the research shows
Most human research is on rehydration after exercise. In five small crossover trials in fit young adults (8 to 12 people each), coconut water replaced lost fluid about as well as a sports drink. Against plain water, results were mixed: two trials found no significant difference and a third found plain coconut water not significantly better than water. A 2025 systematic review found no differences from water in 3 trials and rated its evidence overall as very low certainty. Three trials found the same exercise performance as water or a sports drink.
One 2024 double-blind trial in India put 95 adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis on coconut water or a placebo, added to usual medicine, for 8 weeks. Remission was higher with coconut water (53.1% vs 28.3%). It is a single trial at one centre and has not been repeated in the sources read.
For blood pressure, two small studies (30 and 28 people) reported lower readings, but neither was a proper randomized trial. For blood sugar, the studies read were in rats. A small period pain trial found ibuprofen more effective than coconut water or dark chocolate, with no inactive group. No good evidence was read for detox or weight loss.
The drink versus other coconut products
The trials here used coconut water as a drink: fresh young, bottled, from concentrate, or with added sodium. Coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut powders and concentrates are different products. Studies of concentrates or animals should not be read as results for the drink.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Drunk fresh from the nut in many tropical places
- Long use as a drink is not proof that it treats any condition
Studied for research
- Rehydration after exercise, mixed certainty
- Exercise performance, low certainty of no difference
- Potassium and nutrient content, high certainty for the content
- Ulcerative colitis as an add-on, low certainty (one trial)
- Blood pressure, insufficient evidence
- Mild childhood diarrhoea, insufficient evidence
- Blood sugar, insufficient evidence (rat studies only)
Main compounds
- Potassium
- Sugars
- Sodium
- Vitamin C
- Manganese
Common forms
- Fresh young coconut water and raw liquid from coconuts (USDA values read)
- Unsweetened ready-to-drink coconut water (USDA values read)
- Coconut water from concentrate and sodium-enriched coconut water (used in some trials)
- Sweetened or flavoured coconut water (not read); coconut milk, coconut oil and powders are different products and are not covered
Research links: 2025 review: oral rehydration beverages for exercise-associated dehydration · 2024 trial: coconut water in ulcerative colitis · 2023 US survey: coconut allergy · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Cocos nucifera L.
- Naming authority
- L. (GBIF accepted; the palm whose fruit holds the liquid)
- Common names
- Coconut water (English); Young coconut water (English); Tender coconut water (English); Agua de coco (Spanish)
- Family or group
- Arecaceae (the palm family), as given by GBIF. Coconut water is a drink, not a plant part sold whole.
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Liliopsida > Arecales > Arecaceae > Cocos > Cocos nucifera
- Native range
- Not verified from a source read.
- Habitat
- Not verified from a source read.
- What it looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: Coconut water is the clear liquid inside the coconut. The 1992 and 2002 studies used young coconuts; the 2012 rat study used mature coconut water. Age of the nut changes the composition (the 1992 abstract says it describes composition by type and age).
- Cultivation
- Not verified from a source read.
- Harvest and processing
- Sold fresh in the nut, or bottled or boxed. Some studies used coconut water from concentrate or with added sodium. A 2024 lab study compared street-cart and refrigerated coconut water; processing steps such as pasteurisation were not read.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Coconut milk, coconut oil and coconut cream; Note: Different products from the coconut meat (kernel), not the clear liquid. They have their own pages.; Name: Sports and electrolyte drinks; Note: Manufactured carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks; they are the comparison in several rehydration trials.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not assessed.
Photographs
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium | mineral (electrolyte) | Liquid inside the fruit USDA: 165 mg per 100 g (unsweetened ready-to-drink; about 404 mg in 1 cup); 250 mg per 100 g (raw liquid from coconuts) | Potassium is an electrolyte. MedlinePlus says kidneys help keep the right amount of potassium in the body and that people with chronic kidney disease may not remove the extra. A diet rich in potassium offsets some of the harmful effects of sodium on blood pressure (MedlinePlus, about diet in general). 24 23 22 | Human data |
| Sugars | carbohydrate | Liquid inside the fruit USDA: 3.92 g per 100 g (unsweetened ready-to-drink; about 9.6 g in 1 cup); 2.61 g per 100 g (raw liquid from coconuts) | Supplies energy. Which sugars are present was not read. 24 23 | Human data |
| Sodium | mineral (electrolyte) | Liquid inside the fruit USDA: 26 mg per 100 g (unsweetened ready-to-drink; about 64 mg in 1 cup); 105 mg per 100 g (raw liquid from coconuts) | Lower than a typical sports drink in the Bell 2026 trial's own words ('despite having lower sodium concentrations'). One trial added sodium to coconut water. 24 23 4 7 | Human data |
| Vitamin C | vitamin | Liquid inside the fruit USDA: 9.9 mg per 100 g (about 24 mg in 1 cup) in the unsweetened ready-to-drink item; 2.4 mg per 100 g in the raw liquid | A nutrient; no trial of coconut water for vitamin C status was read. 24 23 | Human data |
| Manganese | mineral | Liquid inside the fruit USDA: 0.221 mg per 100 g (about 0.54 mg in 1 cup) in the unsweetened ready-to-drink item; 0.142 mg per 100 g in the raw liquid | A nutrient; no trial read. 24 23 | Human data |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid and electrolyte replacement | Not specified in the sources read | Coconut water supplies water, sugar, potassium and some sodium. In the trials read it replaced fluid about as well as a sports drink, but the mechanism was not tested beyond measuring body weight, urine and blood. 16 7 4 | Human data |
| Gut bacteria in ulcerative colitis | Not specified in the sources read | In the 2024 colitis trial, bacterial groups linked to lower symptom scores or calprotectin rose in the coconut water group. This is an association inside one trial; the authors' idea that coconut water works through the gut bacteria was not tested. 9 | Human data |
| Blood sugar and oxidative stress in diabetic rats | Not specified in the sources read | Rat studies report lower blood glucose and more antioxidant enzyme activity with coconut water. Animal result only. 5 14 | Animal research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not established.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
All the human results are for coconut water as a drink (fresh young, bottled, from concentrate or with added sodium). Coconut milk, coconut oil and powders are different products. Mouse studies of coconut water concentrates were seen only as titles and not used, because a concentrate is not the drink.
Nutritional composition
Nutrition from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, April 2018 release; values read 2026-10-26 from the saved USDA records). Unsweetened ready-to-drink coconut water (FDC 174831), per 100 g: 18 kcal, 95.03 g water, 0.22 g protein, 0 g fat, 4.24 g carbohydrate, 3.92 g sugars, 0 g fibre, 165 mg potassium, 26 mg sodium, 7 mg calcium, 6 mg magnesium, 5 mg phosphorus, 9.9 mg vitamin C, 0.221 mg manganese; no caffeine or alcohol. Household portion: 1 cup = 245 g, so roughly 44 kcal, 10.4 g carbohydrate, 9.6 g sugars, 404 mg potassium, 64 mg sodium, 17 mg calcium, 15 mg magnesium, 24 mg vitamin C and 0.54 mg manganese (per-100 g values times 2.45). Raw liquid from coconuts (FDC 170174), per 100 g: 19 kcal, 0.72 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 3.71 g carbohydrate, 2.61 g sugars, 1.1 g fibre, 250 mg potassium, 105 mg sodium, 24 mg calcium, 25 mg magnesium; 1 cup = 240 g. Packaged and fresh coconut water differ, and a sweetened product will have more sugar. Missing nutrients on the packaged record show as 0 and may not have been measured.
1 high certainty1 mixed findings2 low certainty4 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 8 benefits and uses checked for Coconut Water, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Rehydration after exerciseMixed findings
- Exercise performance (time trials)Low certainty
- Potassium, sodium and a few vitamins and minerals (nutrient content)High certainty
- Blood pressureNot enough evidence
- Ulcerative colitis (added to usual treatment)Low certainty
- Home fluid for mild childhood diarrhoeaNot enough evidence
- Blood sugar and diabetesNot enough evidence
- Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea)Not enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Share of lost body weight regainedExercise time trial performanceBlood pressure (systolic and diastolic)Ulcerative colitis symptom score (SCCAI)Faecal calprotectinFasting blood glucose (rats only)
What is Coconut Water good for?
The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Most trials are small and in fit young adults.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Rehydration after exercise
Mixed findingsIn small studies of fit young adults, coconut water replaced fluid lost in exercise about as well as a sports drink, and sometimes about as well as plain water. Results are mixed and the studies are small.
6 studiesFresh young coconut water, bottled coconut water and sodium-enriched …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Five small crossover trials in fit young adults (8 to 12 people each) compared coconut water with water, a sports drink or both. A 2025 systematic review pooled three coconut water trials against water and found no differences.
Results
Several trials found coconut water rehydrated about as well as a sports drink. Against plain water the results were mixed: one 2007 trial found plain coconut water not significantly better than water, another found no difference in hydration markers, and a 2002 trial found no significant difference in rehydration. People reported more bloating and stomach upset with coconut water in one trial and less nausea and stomach upset in two others (one used coconut water with added sodium). In a 2017 trial people drank less coconut water than water when they could choose, because of taste.
Effect sizes as reported
2002 (8 men): weight loss regained 75% coconut water vs 73% water vs 80% sports drink, no significant difference. 2007 (10 men): rehydration 65% coconut water, 69% sodium-enriched coconut water, 68% sports drink, 58% water. 2026 (8 people): final fluid status not different between coconut water, sports drink and flavored water. 2025 review: no differences between coconut water and water in 3 trials.
Why this rating
Mixed results, very small trials, mostly young fit men, short single sessions. The 2025 systematic review rated its overall evidence as very low certainty (a statement about the whole review, which was mainly about milk).
Form and dose studied
Fresh young coconut water, bottled coconut water and sodium-enriched coconut water were each tested, always as a drink. Packaged and fresh products differ (see the Science tab).
Who was studied
Healthy, fit young adults (mostly men) after exercise in the heat or indoors.
Limits
Tiny samples, one session each, young fit people only. Results do not show coconut water works for people who are ill, older, or dehydrated from illness. A named brand was used in the 2012 trial and funding was not stated in most abstracts.
Why researchers looked
Coconut water has potassium and some sodium and sugar, so people drink it as a natural-tasting alternative to a sports drink after sweating.
Traditional use
Drunk fresh from the nut in tropical places for thirst. Long use as a drink is not proof that it rehydrates better than water.
Proposed mechanism Nutrient database and human trials
It supplies water, some sugar and electrolytes (potassium and sodium). Whether this changes hydration beyond what water does was tested, not assumed.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Coconut water has potassium and sugar; see the Safety tab for kidney disease and potassium-raising medicines.
Exercise performance (time trials)
Low certaintyIn three small trials coconut water gave the same exercise performance as plain water or a sports drink. It did not make people faster.
3 studiesCoconut water as a drink during or after exercise.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2017 trial in 10 men compared coconut water with water during cycling and a 10-km time trial. A 2023 trial in 19 cyclists compared coconut water with an iso-calorific sports drink during 90 minutes of cycling and a 20-km time trial. A 2012 trial of 12 men tested treadmill time to exhaustion after rehydration.
Results
No significant difference in performance in any of these trials. In the 2023 trial effect sizes were trivial except blood glucose, which was lower with coconut water than with the sports drink.
Effect sizes as reported
2017: 10-km time trial 971.4 s coconut water vs 966.6 s water (p = .698). 2012: time to exhaustion 12.3 min coconut water vs 11.9 min water vs 12.8 min sport drink (p > 0.05). 2023: no significant differences (p >= 0.05).
Why this rating
Three small trials with consistent null results, but all small and in fit adults, and the 2023 trial compared against a sports drink only.
Form and dose studied
Coconut water as a drink during or after exercise.
Who was studied
Trained or recreational athletes, 10 to 19 people each.
Limits
Small trials, short tests. A null result in fit adults says little about other groups.
Why researchers looked
Athletes ask whether a natural drink works as well as a sports drink during or after exercise.
Proposed mechanism Human trial
Not shown. Any benefit would have to come from carbohydrate or electrolytes in the drink; these trials saw no difference.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
More stomach upset and bloating was reported with coconut water in the 2012 trial.
Potassium, sodium and a few vitamins and minerals (nutrient content)
High certaintyCoconut water has potassium and some sodium, plus small amounts of vitamin C and manganese. The packaged and fresh kinds differ. This is what the drink contains, not a treatment for anything.
3 studiesUnsweetened ready-to-drink coconut water and raw coconut liquid from …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial was read showing that drinking coconut water corrects low potassium or any deficiency. One 2024 colitis trial reported no high potassium (hyperkalemia) in people on coconut water, who were adults with ulcerative colitis; kidney function was not described in the abstract.
Results
The USDA unsweetened ready-to-drink item has 165 mg of potassium per 100 g, about 404 mg in a 1 cup (245 g) serving, with 26 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 64 mg a cup). USDA also lists 9.9 mg of vitamin C and 0.221 mg of manganese per 100 g (about 24 mg and 0.54 mg a cup). A separate USDA record for raw liquid from coconuts has 250 mg potassium and 105 mg sodium per 100 g.
Effect sizes as reported
Per 100 g, USDA unsweetened ready-to-drink: potassium 165 mg (4% of the Daily Value on the USDA record), sodium 26 mg, vitamin C 9.9 mg (11%), manganese 0.221 mg (10%). Raw liquid from coconuts: potassium 250 mg, sodium 105 mg.
Why this rating
High that the drink contains these nutrients (USDA data). Not tested as a treatment for any deficiency, and values vary by coconut, ripeness and brand.
Form and dose studied
Unsweetened ready-to-drink coconut water and raw coconut liquid from the USDA tables. Sweetened or flavoured products were not read.
Who was studied
General adult diet.
Limits
Nutrient facts, not trials. The two USDA records differ a lot in potassium and sodium. Missing nutrients on the packaged record show as 0 and may just be unmeasured.
Why researchers looked
People drink coconut water as a source of potassium and electrolytes, and as a lower-sugar alternative to soda.
Traditional use
Used as a refreshing drink in the tropics. A drink being traditional is not proof of health benefit.
Proposed mechanism Nutrient database
These are nutrient amounts in the drink, taken from USDA tables.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The potassium content matters for people with kidney disease and some medicines; see the Safety tab.
Blood pressure
Not enough evidenceTwo small studies in people with high blood pressure reported lower readings after drinking coconut water for one to two weeks, but neither was a proper randomized trial. Evidence is not enough to say.
2 studiesYoung coconut water in the 2024 study; coconut water of unstated type…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2024 non-randomized study from Indonesia compared 15 adults with stage I hypertension drinking young coconut water for one week with 15 controls. A 2005 West Indian study followed 28 hypertensive adults in four groups for two weeks.
Results
In the 2024 study, blood pressure changed significantly in the coconut water group and not in the controls, but the abstract gives no numbers and all 15 in the coconut water group were women while the controls were mixed. In the 2005 study, 71% of the coconut water group had a significant fall in systolic pressure and 29% in diastolic, reported as shares of people rather than a clear group comparison with the water group.
Effect sizes as reported
2024: significant before-after difference in the drinking group (p < 0.05); no mmHg figures in the abstract. 2005: significant systolic fall in 71% of the coconut water group (group of about seven).
Why this rating
Very small, short, and the 2024 study was not randomized and had different sexes in each group. Results in the 2005 study are per person, not a group comparison.
Form and dose studied
Young coconut water in the 2024 study; coconut water of unstated type in 2005.
Who was studied
Adults with stage I hypertension, 30 and 28 people.
Limits
No randomized controlled trial was read. Not enough to say coconut water lowers blood pressure.
Why researchers looked
Coconut water has potassium, and potassium-rich diets are linked in general with lower blood pressure.
Traditional use
Used as a refreshing drink; a blood pressure use is a modern claim.
Proposed mechanism Hypothesis
Possibly the potassium content. This was not tested in these studies.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
If you take blood pressure medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist before changing your diet. Coconut water also adds potassium.
Ulcerative colitis (added to usual treatment)
Low certaintyOne trial in India found that adding coconut water to usual medicines gave more people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis symptom remission than a placebo. It is a single trial and has not been repeated in the sources read.
1 studiesCoconut water drunk daily in the trial; the placebo was not described…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2024 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in one centre in India gave 400 mL of coconut water or a placebo a day for 8 weeks, on top of standard medicines, to adults with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis. 95 were analysed (49 coconut water, 46 placebo).
Results
Clinical remission was reached by 53.1% with coconut water vs 28.3% with placebo; clinical response by 57.1% vs 28.3%. More people reached a faecal calprotectin below 150 micrograms per gram (30.6% vs 6.5%). Adverse events were similar and no one developed hyperkalemia. The trial was registered in advance.
Effect sizes as reported
Remission OR 2.9 (95% CI 1.2 to 6.7); response OR 3.4 (1.4 to 7.9); calprotectin <150 OR 6.3 (1.7 to 23.6).
Why this rating
A randomized, double-blind, registered trial, but a single centre with 95 people, 8 weeks, for a condition that has other proven treatments, and not repeated. Funding is not stated in the abstract.
Form and dose studied
Coconut water drunk daily in the trial; the placebo was not described in the abstract.
Who was studied
Adults, mean age 37, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, in India.
Limits
A single trial is not enough to change care. It tested coconut water as an add-on, not as a replacement for prescribed medicine.
Why researchers looked
The trial's authors said coconut water is a source of potassium, which has anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies, and may change the gut bacteria.
Proposed mechanism Human trial with microbiome data
The authors suggest changes in gut bacteria; they measured bacterial groups at the start and after 8 weeks. Whether the bacteria explain the result was not shown.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not stop ulcerative colitis medicine. People with kidney disease were not described in the abstract.
Home fluid for mild childhood diarrhoea
Not enough evidenceA 1992 study suggested young coconut water could be used at home in the early stage of mild diarrhoea in well-nourished children, while WHO says oral rehydration solution is the treatment. Evidence is not enough to recommend it in place.
2 studiesYoung coconut water as a home drink in mild cases.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 1992 trial in well-nourished children with mild diarrhoea, plus chemical analysis of coconut water by type and age.
Results
The authors suggested young coconut water with early refeeding could be used as a home rehydration drink in the early stages of mild diarrhoea, despite its electrolyte balance not being ideal. They said it should not be used for severe cholera, or in those who are dehydrated or whose kidney function is impaired. WHO says diarrhoea should be treated with oral rehydration solution (clean water, sugar and salt).
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers in the abstract.
Why this rating
A 1992 abstract with no numbers and no sample size, and it is against a WHO recommendation for oral rehydration solution.
Form and dose studied
Young coconut water as a home drink in mild cases.
Who was studied
Well-nourished children with mild gastroenteritis.
Limits
The abstract does not say how many children were studied or how they did. Not a substitute for oral rehydration solution.
Why researchers looked
Coconut water is a clear fluid with some sugar and electrolytes, and it is widely available in places where diarrhoea is common.
Traditional use
Used as a home fluid in some tropical places; the 1992 study tested this.
Proposed mechanism Composition analysis
It supplies fluid, glucose and electrolytes, though not in the balance WHO's rehydration salts have.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
WHO advises oral rehydration solution for diarrhoea and consulting a health professional for persistent diarrhoea, blood in stool or signs of dehydration.
Blood sugar and diabetes
Not enough evidenceRat studies found lower blood sugar with coconut water. No human trial was read. Coconut water has sugar of its own.
3 studiesMature coconut water and coconut water in rats.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial of coconut water for blood sugar was found. Two rat studies were read.
Results
In rats with diabetes induced by chemicals, coconut water groups had lower blood glucose than untreated diabetic rats. A 2021 rat study also saw less retinal damage. These are animal results.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers in the abstracts.
Why this rating
Animal studies only (rats with chemically induced diabetes); the finding does not carry over to people.
Form and dose studied
Mature coconut water and coconut water in rats.
Who was studied
Rats.
Limits
No human data were read. Do not read the animal result as a diabetes treatment.
Why researchers looked
Rat studies suggested lower blood sugar, so the idea is sometimes repeated for diabetes.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Antioxidant and blood sugar effects in rats. Not shown in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Coconut water contains sugar, about 9.6 g in a 1 cup serving of the unsweetened USDA item. People with diabetes should ask their care team.
Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea)
Not enough evidenceIn a small trial in Indonesia, green coconut water, dark chocolate and ibuprofen were compared for period pain and ibuprofen was the most effective. There was no inactive comparison, so it is unclear whether coconut water helped at all.
1 studiesGreen coconut water, one serving, in the trial.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2023 single-blind trial of 45 women, 15 per group, given a single dose of green coconut water, dark chocolate or ibuprofen, with pain scored two hours later.
Results
The three treatments differed and ibuprofen was the most effective. The abstract does not give numbers for coconut water or compare it with doing nothing.
Effect sizes as reported
No coconut water numbers in the abstract.
Why this rating
Single dose, no placebo group, small, and the abstract has no numbers for coconut water.
Form and dose studied
Green coconut water, one serving, in the trial.
Who was studied
45 women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Limits
The only clear finding is that ibuprofen was more effective. It cannot show that coconut water works.
Why researchers looked
Drinks and foods are sometimes tried for period pain.
Proposed mechanism None stated
Not proposed in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Ask a doctor about severe or unusual period pain.
Connections to the rest of health
How Coconut Water connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Stamina | Mixed findings | Rehydration after exercise: In small studies of fit young adults, coconut water replaced fluid lost in exercise about as well as a sports drink, and sometimes about as well as plain water. Results are mixed and the studies are small. | 16 7 8 12 4 6 | |
| Muscle Recovery | Mixed findings | Rehydration after exercise: In small studies of fit young adults, coconut water replaced fluid lost in exercise about as well as a sports drink, and sometimes about as well as plain water. Results are mixed and the studies are small. | 16 7 8 12 4 6 | |
| Physical Stamina | Low certainty | Exercise performance (time trials): In three small trials coconut water gave the same exercise performance as plain water or a sports drink. It did not make people faster. | 8 12 11 | |
| Energy Vitality | Low certainty | Exercise performance (time trials): In three small trials coconut water gave the same exercise performance as plain water or a sports drink. It did not make people faster. | 8 12 11 | |
| Balanced Nutrition | High certainty | Potassium, sodium and a few vitamins and minerals (nutrient content): Coconut water has potassium and some sodium, plus small amounts of vitamin C and manganese. The packaged and fresh kinds differ. This is what the drink contains, not a treatment for anything. | 24 23 9 | |
| Preventive Wellness | High certainty | Potassium, sodium and a few vitamins and minerals (nutrient content): Coconut water has potassium and some sodium, plus small amounts of vitamin C and manganese. The packaged and fresh kinds differ. This is what the drink contains, not a treatment for anything. | 24 23 9 | |
| Blood Pressure Support | Not enough evidence | Blood pressure: Two small studies in people with high blood pressure reported lower readings after drinking coconut water for one to two weeks, but neither was a proper randomized trial. Evidence is not enough to say. | 3 2 | |
| Heart Health | Not enough evidence | Blood pressure: Two small studies in people with high blood pressure reported lower readings after drinking coconut water for one to two weeks, but neither was a proper randomized trial. Evidence is not enough to say. | 3 2 | |
| Gut Health | Low certainty | Ulcerative colitis (added to usual treatment): One trial in India found that adding coconut water to usual medicines gave more people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis symptom remission than a placebo. It is a single trial and has not been repeated in the sources read. | 9 | |
| Digestive Support | Low certainty | Ulcerative colitis (added to usual treatment): One trial in India found that adding coconut water to usual medicines gave more people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis symptom remission than a placebo. It is a single trial and has not been repeated in the sources read. | 9 | |
| Digestive Support | Not enough evidence | Home fluid for mild childhood diarrhoea: A 1992 study suggested young coconut water could be used at home in the early stage of mild diarrhoea in well-nourished children, while WHO says oral rehydration solution is the treatment. Evidence is not enough to recommend it in place. | 1 25 | |
| Blood Sugar Balance | Not enough evidence | Blood sugar and diabetes: Rat studies found lower blood sugar with coconut water. No human trial was read. Coconut water has sugar of its own. | 5 14 24 | |
| Metabolic Health | Not enough evidence | Blood sugar and diabetes: Rat studies found lower blood sugar with coconut water. No human trial was read. Coconut water has sugar of its own. | 5 14 24 | |
| Womens Wellness | Not enough evidence | Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea): In a small trial in Indonesia, green coconut water, dark chocolate and ibuprofen were compared for period pain and ibuprofen was the most effective. There was no inactive comparison, so it is unclear whether coconut water helped at all. | 10 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Body | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Rehydration after exercise | 16 7 8 12 4 6 |
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Exercise performance (time trials) | 8 12 11 |
| Nutrition | Biological association | High certainty | Studied for: Potassium, sodium and a few vitamins and minerals (nutrient content) | 24 23 9 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Blood pressure | 3 2 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Ulcerative colitis (added to usual treatment) Studied for: Home fluid for mild childhood diarrhoea | 9 1 25 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Blood sugar and diabetes | 5 14 24 |
| Reproductive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea) | 10 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic kidney disease | Documented risk | MedlinePlus says kidneys may not remove extra potassium in chronic kidney disease; coconut water has about 404 mg per cup. Preparation or compound: Potassium in coconut water |
22 24 | |
| High blood potassium | Adverse effect or risk | Case report | A 2012 case report title links coconut water with high potassium; no cases in a colitis trial of 95 adults. Preparation or compound: Coconut water |
15 9 |
| Low blood sodium | Adverse effect or risk | Case report | One newborn with seizures and a sodium of 113 mmol/L after maternal excessive intake in labour. Preparation or compound: Coconut water in excessive amounts |
18 |
| Food allergy | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | About 0.39% of the US population had convincing coconut allergy. Preparation or compound: Coconut as food |
19 20 |
| Dehydration | Preliminary or mixed | Small trials in fit young adults found rehydration about as good as a sports drink; mixed against water. Preparation or compound: Coconut water as a drink |
16 7 4 6 | |
| Ulcerative colitis | Preliminary | One double-blind trial of 95 adults found more remission with coconut water added to usual treatment. Preparation or compound: Coconut water 400 mL a day for 8 weeks in the trial |
9 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of lost body weight regained | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: no clear difference from water or sports drink. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 16 7 |
| Exercise time trial performance | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: no change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 12 11 |
| Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered in small studies (no clear numbers). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 3 2 |
| Ulcerative colitis symptom score (SCCAI) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: more people in remission with coconut water. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 9 |
| Faecal calprotectin | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 9 |
| Fasting blood glucose (rats only) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered in diabetic rats. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 14 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium | Preliminary mechanism | Human | The main electrolyte in coconut water; relevant to kidney disease and some medicines. | 24 22 |
| Sodium | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Low in coconut water; a case report links very large intakes with low blood sodium. | 24 18 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium | Biological association | Human | Potassium is an electrolyte. MedlinePlus says kidneys help keep the right amount of potassium in the body and that people with chronic kidney disease may not remove the extra. A diet rich in potassium offsets some of the harmful effects of sodium on blood pressure (MedlinePlus, about diet in general). Preparation or compound: Liquid inside the fruit |
24 23 22 |
| Sugars | Biological association | Human | Supplies energy. Which sugars are present was not read. Preparation or compound: Liquid inside the fruit |
24 23 |
| Sodium | Biological association | Human | Lower than a typical sports drink in the Bell 2026 trial's own words ('despite having lower sodium concentrations'). One trial added sodium to coconut water. Preparation or compound: Liquid inside the fruit |
24 23 4 7 |
| Vitamin C | Biological association | Human | A nutrient; no trial of coconut water for vitamin C status was read. Preparation or compound: Liquid inside the fruit |
24 23 |
| Manganese | Biological association | Human | A nutrient; no trial read. Preparation or compound: Liquid inside the fruit |
24 23 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 1 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Coconut Water. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing coconut water summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central records, read the health agency pages (MedlinePlus, WHO, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and re-read PubMed abstracts for each trial, review, case report and lab survey. Only abstracts were read for studies. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
Study library: every study we checked 26
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams 1992 Young coconut water for home rehydration in children with mild gastroenteritis. Trop Geogr Med · PMID 1496708 |
Clinical trial |
Well-nourished children with mild diarrhoea | Young coconut water with early refeeding Drink (young coconut water) |
The authors suggest young coconut water could be used with early refeeding as a home rehydration drink in the early stages of mild diarrhoea, even though its electrolyte balance is not ideal. They say it should not be used in patients with severe cholera, or in patients who are dehydrated or whose kidney function is impaired. No numbers in the abstract (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Use as a home glucose-electrolyte rehydration drink in mild diarrhoea; chemical composition by type and age of coconut Limitations: A 1992 abstract with no numbers and no sample size. WHO still advises oral rehydration solution. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Alleyne 2005 The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks. West Indian Med J · PMID 15892382 |
Small controlled trial |
28 28 hypertensive adults in four groups, two weeks of readings before and two weeks during the drink |
Coconut water, mauby (a different bark drink), a mixture, or bottled water Drink (coconut water) 2 weeks · vs Bottled drinking water |
Significant falls in mean systolic blood pressure were seen in 71% of the coconut water group, 40% of the mauby group and 43% of the mixture group. Falls in diastolic pressure were seen in 29%, 40% and 57%. The largest fall with the mixture was 24 mmHg systolic and 15 mmHg diastolic. Share of people with a significant fall in systolic pressure: 71% (coconut water), 40% (mauby), 43% (mixture) (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Limitations: Very small, groups of about seven, short, and the results are given as shares of people with a fall rather than a group comparison with the water group. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Awaluddin 2024 The Effect of Young Coconut Water on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients. J Pak Med Assoc · PMID 39221800 |
Quasi experimental controlled |
30 30 adults over 35 with stage I hypertension in Riau, Indonesia (June 2022); not randomized |
Young coconut water Drink (young coconut water) 150 ml once a morning 1 week · vs Control group with no coconut water |
Blood pressure before and after differed significantly in the coconut water group (p < 0.05) and not in the control group. All 15 people in the coconut water group were female, while the control group had 10 men and 5 women. Significant before-after difference in the drinking group (p < 0.05); the abstract gives no mmHg numbers (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and after Limitations: Not randomized, groups differed in sex, only one week, no numbers in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Bell 2026 Rehydration After Exercise-Induced Fluid Losses: Comparing Flavored Water, Coconut Water, and Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Sports Beverage. J Strength Cond Res · PMID 41359932 |
Randomized crossover trial |
8 Eight recreational athletes (7 men, 1 woman; mean age 22.3) dehydrated by about 1.4% of body mass on a bike |
Natural coconut water, flavored water, or a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink Drink (natural coconut water) Volume equal to 150% of body mass lost Single session per drink · vs Flavored water and a sports drink |
Flavored water produced the most urine (530 ml) compared with coconut water and the sports drink (170 ml each). The most fluid was retained with coconut water, but the final fluid status did not differ significantly between drinks. Saltiness and nausea did not differ. The authors concluded coconut water was as effective as the sports drink, despite less sodium. Urine output 530 +/- 119.2 ml (flavored water) vs 170 +/- 35.8 ml (coconut water, sports drink), p < 0.05; final fluid status not significantly different (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Urine volume, fluid retained, fluid status, thirst, saltiness and nausea Limitations: Eight people, single-blind, a mild degree of dehydration. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Dai 2021 Effects of coconut water on blood sugar and retina of rats with diabetes. PeerJ · PMID 33575128 |
Animal study rat |
48 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats (normal, diabetic, diabetic plus coconut water, diabetic plus glibenclamide) |
Coconut water Drink (coconut water) Up to 12 weeks · vs Untreated diabetic rats and rats given glibenclamide |
Fasting blood sugar fell after the fourth week in the coconut water and glibenclamide groups, and retinal changes were less than in untreated diabetic rats. Lower blood sugar and VEGF expression than untreated diabetic rats; no numbers in the abstract (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Fasting blood sugar, body weight, retina thickness and VEGF in the retina Limitations: Rats, not people. The authors' own phrase 'candidate drug' is an animal-study hope, not a human result. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare there are no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| De Brier 2025 Oral Rehydration Beverages for Treating Exercise-Associated Dehydration: A Systematic Review, Part II. The Effectiveness of Alternatives to Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Drinks. J Athl Train · PMID 38116818 |
Systematic review |
11 studies comparing skim or low-fat milk, coconut water or beer with water after exercise-induced dehydration; searched up to 1 June 2022 | Coconut water (also milk and beer in the wider review) Drink (fresh coconut water) Varied Varied · vs Water |
Three trials showed no differences at multiple times in volume or hydration status after fresh coconut water compared with water. The authors rated the evidence overall as very low certainty and said it should be read with caution. No difference between coconut water and water in 3 trials (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Volume and hydration status after rehydration Limitations: Few small trials; the review's main finding was about low-fat milk, not coconut water. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Ismail 2007 Rehydration with sodium-enriched coconut water after exercise-induced dehydration. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health · PMID 17883020 |
Randomized crossover trial |
10 Ten healthy young men who lost about 3% of body weight by running in the heat |
Fresh young coconut water, sodium-enriched fresh young coconut water, a sports drink, or plain water Drink (fresh young coconut water, with and without added sodium) Fluid equal to 120% of the weight lost, in three portions 2 hours of rehydration · vs Plain water and a sports drink |
Percent rehydration was 58% (water), 68% (sports drink), 65% (coconut water) and 69% (sodium-enriched coconut water). The sports drink and the sodium-enriched coconut water were significantly better than water. Plain coconut water was not shown to be significantly better than water. Plasma volume returned to normal with the sports drink and both coconut waters, but not with water. The sodium-enriched coconut water caused less nausea and stomach upset than the sports drink. Percent rehydration 58 +/- 2 (water), 68 +/- 2 (sports drink), 65 +/- 2 (coconut water), 69 +/- 1 (sodium-enriched coconut water) (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Percent rehydration, plasma volume, blood sugar, nausea and stomach upset Limitations: Ten men, a short test, and coconut water with added sodium is not the same as the plain drink on shelves. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Kalman 2012 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 · PMID 22257640 |
Randomized crossover trial |
12 Twelve exercise-trained men (mean age 26.6) after 60 minutes of dehydrating treadmill exercise |
Pure coconut water (a named bottled brand), coconut water from concentrate, a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink, or bottled water Drink (bottled coconut water) Fluid amount based on body mass lost Single session, four visits at least 5 days apart · vs Bottled water and a sport drink |
The men regained the lost weight in a similar way with all drinks. No significant difference between coconut water and the sport drink for fluid retention, and no difference in time to exhaustion. People reported feeling more bloated and having more stomach upset with the coconut water drinks. Time to exhaustion: bottled water 11.9, coconut water 12.3, coconut water from concentrate 11.9, sport drink 12.8 minutes (p > 0.05) (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Body mass, fluid retention, plasma osmolality, urine specific gravity, treadmill time to exhaustion, bloating and stomach upset Limitations: Small, single-blind, fit young men. A branded product was tested. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. A named commercial coconut water brand was one of the test drinks, so a commercial link cannot be ruled out from the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Kedia 2024 Coconut Water Induces Clinical Remission in Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol · PMID 38278200 |
Randomized controlled trial |
95 95 adults with mild to moderate, endoscopically active ulcerative colitis analysed (coconut water 49, placebo 46), one centre in India |
Coconut water added to standard medical therapy Drink (coconut water) 400 mL a day 8 weeks · vs Placebo added to standard medical therapy |
More people were in clinical remission with coconut water (53.1% vs 28.3%; odds ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.7) and had a clinical response (57.1% vs 28.3%). More had faecal calprotectin below 150 micrograms per gram (30.6% vs 6.5%). Adverse events were similar between groups and no one developed high potassium (hyperkalemia). Remission OR 2.9; response OR 3.4; calprotectin <150 OR 6.3 (Remission 1.2 to 6.7; response 1.4 to 7.9; calprotectin 1.7 to 23.6) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Clinical remission and response (symptom scores), faecal calprotectin, adverse events, gut bacteria Limitations: One centre, 95 people analysed, used with standard medicines for a condition with other treatments, 8 weeks. It has not been repeated in the sources read. The placebo is not described in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Registration: CTRI/2019/03/01827 (Clinical Trials Registry of India) Read: abstract |
| Nuha 2023 Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial: Comparative Efficacy of Dark Chocolate, Coconut Water, and Ibuprofen in Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea. Int J Environ Res Public Health · PMID 37623203 |
Randomized controlled trial |
45 45 women with primary dysmenorrhea (period pain) |
Green coconut water, 70% dark chocolate, or ibuprofen 400 mg Drink (green coconut water) One 330 mL serving Single dose, pain scored 2 hours later · vs Dark chocolate and ibuprofen; no inactive comparison |
The three treatments differed in effect, and ibuprofen was the most effective. The abstract does not say how much coconut water eased the pain or whether it beat doing nothing. Ibuprofen most effective; no coconut water numbers in the abstract (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pain intensity (numeric rating scale) 2 hours after Limitations: No inactive (placebo) group, single dose only, 15 women per group. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05971186 Read: abstract |
| O'Brien 2023 Coconut Water: A Sports Drink Alternative? Sports (Basel) · PMID 37755860 |
Randomized crossover trial |
19 19 experienced cyclists (15 men, 4 women) doing 90 minutes of cycling then a 20-km time trial |
Commercially available coconut water or an iso-calorific sports drink Drink (commercial coconut water) Taken during exercise Two trials · vs Commercial sports drink |
No significant differences in any physiological or performance measure. Effect sizes were trivial, except blood glucose, which was lower in the coconut water trial (effect size d = 0.31). No significant difference (p >= 0.05); blood glucose d = 0.31 (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cycling performance, blood glucose and lactate, sweat loss, heart rate Limitations: Cyclists in a lab-style trial, not people who are ill or older. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest and say the funders had no role in design, analysis, interpretation or the decision to publish. Read: abstract |
| Peart 2017 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 · PMID 27768399 |
Randomized crossover trial |
10 Ten men (mean age 27.9) doing 60 minutes of cycling then a 10-km time trial |
Coconut water or plain water Drink (coconut water) 250 ml at set times, then as they wished Two trials · vs Plain water |
Coconut water did not improve time trial performance (971.4 vs 966.6 seconds; p = .698) and no physiological measure differed. People liked the taste less and drank much less coconut water (115 ml) than water (208.7 ml) when drinking freely. Time trial 971.4 +/- 50.5 s (coconut water) vs 966.6 +/- 44.8 s (water), p = .698; free drinking 115 vs 208.7 ml, p < .001 (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Body mass, urine osmolality, blood sugar, heart rate, time trial time, taste ratings, volume drunk Limitations: Ten men, a small study; hydration was not shown to differ. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Peterle 2024 Microbiological Quality of Coconut Water Sold in the Grande Vitória Region, Brazil, and Phenogenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance of Associated Enterobacteria. Microorganisms · PMID 39338557 |
Laboratory analysis n/a |
Coconut water sold from street carts with cooling coils or refrigerated at bakeries in the Grande Vitoria region, Brazil | Coconut water as sold Drink (coconut water) · vs Street-cart versus refrigerated samples |
Street-cart samples had lower microbiological quality, with significantly higher counts of mesophilic microorganisms than refrigerated samples. Opportunistic bacteria were found, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, and three isolates were multidrug-resistant. No numbers in the abstract (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Microbe counts, identified bacteria and antibiotic resistance Limitations: One region in Brazil, a lab survey of samples; not a study of illness. It does not describe sealed, pasteurised cartons. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Preetha 2012 Hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential of coconut water in experimental diabetes. Food Funct · PMID 22576019 |
Animal study rat |
Normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats | Mature coconut water Drink (mature coconut water) · vs Untreated diabetic rats |
Diabetic rats given mature coconut water had lower blood glucose and less oxidative stress than untreated diabetic rats. No numbers in the abstract (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood glucose, insulin, glycated haemoglobin, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation Limitations: Rats given mature coconut water; not people. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Rees 2012 Coconut water-induced hyperkalaemia. Br J Hosp Med (Lond) · PMID 23124410 |
Case report |
1 Details not read (the PubMed record has no abstract) |
Coconut water Drink (coconut water) Not read Not read |
Only the title and publication type (Case Reports) were read. It names coconut water as the cause of high blood potassium in a patient. No details of the person, the amount or the outcome were read. Not read (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium) linked to coconut water, per the title Limitations: No abstract in PubMed; nothing beyond the title and article type is claimed. Funding and conflicts: Not stated Read: title-only |
| Saat 2002 Rehydration after exercise with fresh young coconut water, carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage and plain water. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci · PMID 12056182 |
Randomized crossover trial |
8 Eight healthy young men (mean age 22.4) dried out by about 2.8% of body weight by exercise in the heat |
Fresh young coconut water, a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink, or plain water Drink (fresh young coconut water) Fluid equal to 120% of the weight lost, in three portions 2 hours of rehydration · vs Plain water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink |
Percent of weight loss regained was 75% (coconut water), 73% (plain water) and 80% (carbohydrate-electrolyte drink), not statistically different. Blood volume was restored better with coconut water, but not significantly. Blood sugar was higher with coconut water and the sports drink than with water. Coconut water was sweeter, caused less nausea and fullness and no stomach upset. Rehydration 75 +/- 5% (coconut water), 73 +/- 5% (water), 80 +/- 4% (sports drink); no significant difference (Not reported in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Percent of body-weight loss regained, rehydration index, blood volume, urine, blood chemistry, nausea and stomach comfort Limitations: Eight men only, all fit and young, drinks taken after fasting, short follow-up. Blood volume looked better with coconut water but the difference was not significant. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Sayer 2014 Preventing hyponatraemic dehydration in cystic fibrosis: a cautionary note to take coconut water with a pinch of salt. Arch Dis Child · PMID 24099947 |
Letter |
Details not read (a letter; the PubMed record has no abstract) | Coconut water Drink (coconut water) Not read Not read |
Only the title and publication type (Letter) were read. The title is a caution that coconut water, which is low in sodium, may not be a good fluid for people with cystic fibrosis who lose salt. The content was not read. Not read (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Low blood sodium with dehydration in cystic fibrosis, per the title Limitations: No abstract; only the title was read. It is not used as evidence of harm. Funding and conflicts: Not stated Read: title-only |
| Soriano 2024 Case Report of Hyponatremic Seizures in a Term Neonate Attributed to Excessive Maternal Coconut Water Ingestion During Labor. A A Pract · PMID 38975685 |
Case report |
1 One term newborn whose mother drank excessive coconut water during labour |
Coconut water drunk by the mother Drink (coconut water) Described as excessive; no amount in the abstract During labour |
The newborn was sleepy and had breathing difficulty and two seizures soon after birth. Blood sodium was 113 mmol/L. The seizures stopped with treatment and the sodium was corrected slowly without further problems. The authors attributed the low sodium and seizures to the mother's excessive coconut water intake in labour. Newborn serum sodium 113 mmol/L (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Newborn blood sodium and seizures Limitations: A single case; cause is the authors' attribution, not proven. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Warren 2023 Prevalence and burden of coconut allergy in the United States. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol · PMID 37625503 |
Cross sectional survey |
78851 A nationally representative US household survey (October 2015 to September 2016) of 78,851 people |
Coconut (as a food) Coconut as food, not coconut water specifically |
About 0.39% of the US population had convincing coconut allergy (roughly 1 in 260), 0.22% of children and 0.43% of adults. Reactions involving multiple organ systems were reported by 47.5%. Only a minority had a physician-confirmed diagnosis (0.12% of children and 0.20% of adults). Most had other food allergies. 0.39% of the US population (0.33 to 0.45) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Prevalence and severity of convincing coconut allergy Limitations: A survey of self-reported symptoms, and it covers coconut as a food, not coconut water on its own. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract (the record lists NIH extramural support). Read: abstract |
| s-eatright-coconut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (eatright.org): Coconut Is No Longer a Tree Nut Allergen · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-gbif-cocos-nucifera GBIF Backbone: Cocos nucifera L. (usageKey 2735117) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-medlineplus-potassium MedlinePlus: Potassium (Dietary Potassium) · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-fdc-170174 USDA FoodData Central: Nuts, coconut water (liquid from coconuts) (SR Legacy, FDC 170174) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-fdc-174831 USDA FoodData Central: Beverages, coconut water, ready-to-drink, unsweetened (SR Legacy, FDC 174831) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-who-diarrhoea WHO: Diarrhoeal disease fact sheet · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-who-healthy-diet WHO: Healthy diet fact sheet · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- All the exercise trials are small and in fit young adults, mostly men. None was in children, older people, pregnant women or people who are ill.
- The ulcerative colitis result is one trial, and the blood pressure studies were not randomized trials.
- No human trial was read for blood sugar, weight, kidney stones, cholesterol or detox claims.
- The 2012 hyperkalaemia case report and a 2014 cystic fibrosis letter have no abstract; only their titles were read.
- No official statement on coconut water in pregnancy, breastfeeding or young children was read, and no interaction study with a named medicine was found.
- Heavy metals, pesticides, sugar adulteration, shelf life and storage of opened packs were not researched.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 6
Share of lost body weight regained
No clear difference from water or sports drink in trials
After exercise, how much of the weight lost as sweat is regained after drinking. It is a quick way to see how well a drink replaces fluid.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It is the usual simple measure in rehydration trials.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Small crossover trials in fit young men; not a measure of health outcomes.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 75% with coconut water vs 73% water vs 80% carbohydrate-electrolyte drink; not significantly different | 8 healthy young men, about 2.8% body weight lost | Fresh young coconut water, 120% of fluid lost, over 2 hours |
| 7 | 65% coconut water, 69% sodium-enriched coconut water, 68% sports drink, 58% water; sports drink and sodium-enriched coconut water were significantly better than water, plain coconut water was not shown to be | 10 healthy young men, about 3% body weight lost | Fresh young coconut water, with and without added sodium, 120% of fluid lost |
Exercise time trial performance
No change in trials
How long a person takes to finish a fixed cycling distance, or how long they can run before exhausted.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It shows whether a drink changes performance.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Consistent null results in small trials.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 971.4 s with coconut water vs 966.6 s with water (p = .698) | 10 men, 10-km time trial after 60 minutes of cycling | Coconut water vs water |
| 11 | No significant differences between coconut water and an iso-calorific sports drink; effect sizes trivial | 19 experienced cyclists, 20-km time trial after 90 minutes of cycling | Coconut water vs a commercial sports drink |
Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic)
Lowered in small studies (no clear numbers) in trials
The pressure of blood in the arteries. High readings are linked to more heart disease and stroke.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It is the usual way to see if a food changes blood pressure.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Small, short studies; no randomized trial.
Safety implication
People on blood pressure medicine should not change it because of this.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Significant before-after difference in the coconut water group (p < 0.05), none in controls; no mmHg figures in the abstract | 30 adults with stage I hypertension; not randomized | Young coconut water 150 ml each morning for 1 week |
| 2 | Significant fall in mean systolic pressure in 71% of the coconut water group and mean diastolic pressure in 29% | 28 hypertensive adults in four groups | Coconut water for 2 weeks vs bottled water |
Ulcerative colitis symptom score (SCCAI)
More people in remission with coconut water in trials
A score of bowel symptoms in ulcerative colitis. A score of 2 or less was counted as clinical remission in this trial.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It was the main outcome of the colitis trial.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One trial at one centre.
Safety implication
Do not stop colitis medicine.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Remission 53.1% vs 28.3% (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 6.7); response 57.1% vs 28.3% (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.4 to 7.9) | 95 adults with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis | Coconut water 400 mL a day for 8 weeks, added to standard medicine |
Faecal calprotectin
Lowered in trials
A stool test that shows inflammation in the gut. Lower is better.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It gives a measure of gut inflammation beyond symptoms.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One trial at one centre; share below a cutoff rather than average change.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 30.6% vs 6.5% of people had calprotectin below 150 micrograms per gram (OR 6.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 23.6) | 95 adults with ulcerative colitis | Coconut water 400 mL a day for 8 weeks |
Fasting blood glucose (rats only)
Lowered in diabetic rats in trials
Blood sugar after fasting. High values are a sign of diabetes.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A standard measure in diabetes experiments.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Rats only. No human study was read.
Safety implication
None for people; coconut water contains sugar.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Fasting blood sugar fell after week 4 in diabetic rats given coconut water vs rising in untreated diabetic rats; no numbers in the abstract | 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats | Coconut water; animal study |
| 14 | Lower blood glucose than untreated diabetic rats; no numbers in the abstract | Alloxan-induced diabetic rats | Mature coconut water; animal study |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 5
- Potassium: people with kidney disease or on potassium-raising medicines should ask first. The unsweetened ready-to-drink item has about 404 mg of potassium in a 1 cup (245 g) serving, and USDA lists 250 mg per 100 g (about 600 mg a cup) for raw liquid from coconuts. MedlinePlus says that if you have chronic kidney disease your kidneys may not remove extra potassium from the blood, that some medicines can raise potassium, and that you may need a special diet to lower the potassium you eat. A 2012 case report is titled 'Coconut water-induced hyperkalaemia' (only the title was read, there is no abstract). The authors of a 1992 trial said coconut water should not be used by people whose kidney function is impaired. In a 2024 ulcerative colitis trial no one developed high potassium on coconut water for 8 weeks, in people whose kidney function was not described. Ask your doctor or pharmacist. Authoritative guidance plus case report 22 24 23 15 1 9
- It is not oral rehydration solution. WHO says diarrhoea should be treated with oral rehydration solution, a mixture of clean water, sugar and salt, and advises consulting a health professional for persistent diarrhoea, blood in stool or signs of dehydration. A 1992 study in children with mild diarrhoea suggested young coconut water could be used at home early on, but said it should not be used for severe cholera or in dehydrated patients or those with impaired kidney function. A 2014 letter in a medical journal has a title that cautions about coconut water in people with cystic fibrosis (the letter has no abstract and was not read). Authoritative guidance 25 1 17
- Very large amounts: one case of dangerously low sodium in a newborn. A 2024 case report describes a newborn with seizures and a blood sodium of 113 mmol/L, which the authors attributed to the mother drinking excessive coconut water during labour. Coconut water is low in sodium (26 mg per 100 g in the packaged item). It is one case and the cause is the authors' attribution. The authors advise attention to fluid volume and fluid salt content in labour. Case report 18 24
- Sugar and calories. Unlike plain water, coconut water has sugar. The USDA unsweetened ready-to-drink item has 3.92 g of sugars and 18 kcal per 100 g, about 9.6 g and 44 kcal in 1 cup. Sweetened or flavoured products will have more; USDA data here are for an unsweetened product. WHO advises keeping free sugars below 10% of daily energy (about 50 g for a 2,000 calorie diet). The sources read do not say whether the sugar in coconut water counts as free sugars. People with diabetes should count it as carbohydrate and ask their care team. Reference database and authoritative guidance 24 26
- Coconut allergy is uncommon but can be serious. A US survey of 78,851 people found about 0.39% (roughly 1 in 260) had convincing coconut allergy, and 47.5% of them reported reactions in more than one body system. The survey covers coconut as a food, not coconut water on its own. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says coconut was recently removed from the FDA tree nut list for mandatory allergen declaration, which makes label reading important. Survey and authoritative guidance 19 20
Side effects 4
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloating and stomach upset Findings differ between small trials and depend on the product. | In a 2012 crossover trial of 12 men, people reported more bloating and stomach upset with coconut water than with the other drinks; no percentages in the abstract. In a 2002 trial coconut water caused less nausea and no stomach upset compared with the sports drink and water, and in 2007 sodium-enriched coconut water caused less nausea and stomach upset than the sports drink. | mild Not described. | Randomized trial 8 16 7 |
| High blood potassium (hyperkalaemia) Details of the case report were not read; the title is the only evidence used. | One case report is titled as coconut water-induced hyperkalaemia (title only read). No cases in 95 adults on coconut water for 8 weeks in a colitis trial. | can be serious in kidney disease (MedlinePlus says kidneys may not remove extra potassium) Not read. | Case report 15 9 22 |
| Low blood sodium (hyponatraemia) after excessive intake in labour A single case; cause attributed by the authors. | One reported case in a newborn. | severe in that case (seizures) Sodium was corrected slowly with no further problems in that case. | Case report 18 |
| Allergic reactions to coconut Survey data are for coconut as a food. | About 0.39% of the US population had convincing coconut allergy. | can be severe; 47.5% reported multi-system reactions Not described. | Survey 19 |
Liver
No liver injury from drinking coconut water was found in the sources read. A liver-safety source (such as LiverTox) was not searched for coconut water.
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Coconut Water supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines that raise potassium (MedlinePlus says some do but does not name them) prescription | Coconut water adds potassium; MedlinePlus says some medicines can also raise potassium. | No study of coconut water with any named medicine was found. The concern is general advice about potassium and kidneys, not a tested interaction. | Authoritative guidance general Low certainty 22 | Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether any medicine you take raises potassium before you make coconut water a regular drink. |
| Blood pressure medicines and diabetes medicines or insulin prescription | Small studies report lower blood pressure with coconut water, and the drink contains sugar. No interaction study was found. | Not studied. This is a flag that no data were found, not a known interaction. | None found Not enough evidence 3 2 24 | If you take these medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist about drinks that contain sugar or potassium. |
Who should check first 6
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic kidney disease or a low-potassium diet | Ask your kidney care team before drinking it. MedlinePlus says kidneys may not remove extra potassium in chronic kidney disease, and a 1992 trial said coconut water should not be used when kidney function is impaired. | Authoritative guidance 22 1 |
| Known or suspected coconut allergy | Avoid it and read labels. Ask an allergist about your own case. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips or throat, call 911 or your local emergency number. | Survey and guidance 19 20 |
| Diarrhoea with signs of dehydration, or severe dehydration | Use oral rehydration solution and see a health professional, as WHO advises. Coconut water is not a replacement. | Authoritative guidance 25 1 |
| Pregnancy and labour | No official statement specific to coconut water was read. One case report links excessive coconut water in labour to dangerously low sodium in a newborn. Ask your midwife or doctor about drinks in labour. | Case report 18 |
| Breastfeeding and young children | No official statement specific to coconut water was read for breastfeeding or for infants and young children. Ask a pharmacist or paediatrician. | None found |
| Cystic fibrosis or other conditions with salt loss | Ask your care team. A 2014 letter's title cautions about coconut water in cystic fibrosis because of low sodium; its content was not read. | Letter title only 17 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxicity from coconut water as an ordinary drink was found in the sources read. The safety points are potassium in kidney disease and very large intakes causing low sodium, both from case-level evidence.
Animal. Not reviewed.
High dose or long term signals. A single newborn case of low sodium after the mother's excessive intake in labour. A 2024 trial reported coconut water daily for 8 weeks with adverse events similar to placebo and no hyperkalemia.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
A 2024 lab survey of coconut water sold in the Grande Vitoria region of Brazil found lower microbiological quality in samples from street carts than in refrigerated samples, with opportunistic bacteria and some multidrug-resistant isolates. It is a lab finding in one region, not a report of illness, and it does not describe sealed, pasteurised cartons. Heavy metals, pesticides, sugar adulteration, shelf life and storing opened packs were not researched for this page.
Bacteria in street-cart coconut water. Street-cart samples had significantly higher counts of mesophilic microorganisms than refrigerated samples, and some bacteria were multidrug-resistant. 13
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) (United States) | Potassium: if you have chronic kidney disease your kidneys may not remove extra potassium, some medicines can raise potassium, and you may need a special diet to lower potassium. source | 2025-09-08 |
| WHO (International) | Diarrhoeal disease: treat with oral rehydration solution; consult a health professional for persistent diarrhoea, blood in stool or signs of dehydration. source | 2024-03-07 |
| WHO (International) | Healthy diet: limit free sugars to less than 10% of daily energy; 5% or less may give additional benefit. source | 2026-01-26 |
| Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (United States) | Coconut is no longer a tree nut allergen: recent FDA allergen-labelling guidance removed it from the tree nut list for mandatory declaration. source | 2026-05-26 |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat, or widespread hives after drinking coconut water (possible severe allergy): call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Diarrhoea that persists, blood in stool or signs of dehydration (WHO lists sunken eyes, being unable to drink or drinking poorly, lethargy and unconsciousness among the signs): see a health professional.
- A seizure, confusion or severe drowsiness in a newborn or after drinking large amounts of coconut water: get emergency medical help.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is coconut water?
Does coconut water hydrate you better than water?
Is coconut water a good sports drink?
How much sugar and how many calories does coconut water have?
The USDA unsweetened ready-to-drink item has 3.92 g of sugars and 18 kcal per 100 g, which is about 9.6 g of sugars and 44 kcal in a 1 cup (245 g) serving. Sweetened products have more, so check the label.
Is coconut water high in potassium?
Who should be careful with coconut water?
Can coconut water lower blood pressure?
Can coconut water help ulcerative colitis?
One double-blind trial in India found more people in symptom remission when coconut water was added to usual medicine (53.1% vs 28.3% on placebo). It is a single, small trial and not a replacement for prescribed treatment.
Can I give coconut water to a child with diarrhoea?
Is coconut water good for diabetes or blood sugar?
Is coconut water safe in pregnancy?
No official statement specific to coconut water was read. One case report links excessive coconut water in labour with dangerously low sodium in a newborn. Ask your midwife or doctor.
Is coconut allergy common, and is coconut a tree nut?
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing coconut water summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central records, read the health agency pages (MedlinePlus, WHO, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and re-read PubMed abstracts for each trial, review, case report and lab survey. Only abstracts were read for studies. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Funding was not stated in most abstracts; one 2012 trial tested a named commercial brand, and this is stated where it is used.
Sources 26
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Adams W, Bratt DE. Young coconut water for home rehydration in children with mild gastroenteritis.. Trop Geogr Med. 1992. PMID 1496708. (abstract)
- Alleyne T, Roache S, Thomas C, et al.. The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks.. West Indian Med J. 2005. PMID 15892382. (abstract)
- Awaluddin, Pristika A. The Effect of Young Coconut Water on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients.. J Pak Med Assoc. 2024. PMID 39221800. (abstract)
- Bell SK, Spriet LL. Rehydration After Exercise-Induced Fluid Losses: Comparing Flavored Water, Coconut Water, and Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Sports Beverage.. J Strength Cond Res. 2026. PMID 41359932. (abstract)
- Dai Y, Peng L, Zhang X, et al.. Effects of coconut water on blood sugar and retina of rats with diabetes.. PeerJ. 2021. PMID 33575128. (abstract)
- De Brier N, Borra V, Berry DC, et al.. Oral Rehydration Beverages for Treating Exercise-Associated Dehydration: A Systematic Review, Part II. The Effectiveness of Alternatives to Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Drinks.. J Athl Train. 2025. PMID 38116818. (abstract)
- Ismail I, Singh R, Sirisinghe RG. Rehydration with sodium-enriched coconut water after exercise-induced dehydration.. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2007. PMID 17883020. (abstract)
- Kalman DS, Feldman S, Krieger DR, et al.. 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. PMID 22257640. (abstract)
- 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. PMID 38278200. (abstract)
- Nuha K, Rusmil K, Ganiem AR, et al.. Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial: Comparative Efficacy of Dark Chocolate, Coconut Water, and Ibuprofen in Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea.. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023. PMID 37623203. (abstract)
- O'Brien BJ, Bell LR, Hennessy D, et al.. Coconut Water: A Sports Drink Alternative?. Sports (Basel). 2023. PMID 37755860. (abstract)
- 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. PMID 27768399. (abstract)
- Peterle VM, Cardoso JAB, Ferraz CM, et al.. Microbiological Quality of Coconut Water Sold in the Grande Vitória Region, Brazil, and Phenogenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance of Associated Enterobacteria.. Microorganisms. 2024. PMID 39338557. (abstract)
- Preetha PP, Devi VG, Rajamohan T. Hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential of coconut water in experimental diabetes.. Food Funct. 2012. PMID 22576019. (abstract)
- Rees R, Barnett J, Marks D. Coconut water-induced hyperkalaemia.. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2012. PMID 23124410. (title-only)
- Saat M, Singh R, Sirisinghe RG, et al.. Rehydration after exercise with fresh young coconut water, carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage and plain water.. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002. PMID 12056182. (abstract)
- Sayer R, Sinha I, Lowdon J, et al.. Preventing hyponatraemic dehydration in cystic fibrosis: a cautionary note to take coconut water with a pinch of salt.. Arch Dis Child. 2014. PMID 24099947. (title-only)
- 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. PMID 38975685. (abstract)
- Warren CM, Sehgal S, Nimmagadda SR, et al.. Prevalence and burden of coconut allergy in the United States.. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023. PMID 37625503. (abstract)
- . Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (eatright.org): Coconut Is No Longer a Tree Nut Allergen. . . (full-text)
- . GBIF Backbone: Cocos nucifera L. (usageKey 2735117). . . (full-text)
- . MedlinePlus: Potassium (Dietary Potassium). . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: Nuts, coconut water (liquid from coconuts) (SR Legacy, FDC 170174). . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: Beverages, coconut water, ready-to-drink, unsweetened (SR Legacy, FDC 174831). . . (full-text)
- . WHO: Diarrhoeal disease fact sheet. . . (full-text)
- . WHO: Healthy diet fact sheet. . . (full-text)
