Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNutrition BreakdownWhen to Drink ItIs It OK to Drink Daily?Who Should Avoid It?How to Buy It

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Nutrition Breakdown

When to Drink It

Is It OK to Drink Daily?

Who Should Avoid It?

How to Buy It

Coconut water is the sweet, nutty, and refreshing liquid in young coconuts. It’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals that help support muscle and nerve function and balance body fluids.Coconut water is perfect for replenishing fluids after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting, thanks to its high electrolyte content. It’s also a great beverage to rehydrate and nourish muscles after exercise.

Coconut Water vs. Coconut MilkCoconut water is the clear juice found in young, green coconuts. Coconut milk comes from the brown mature coconuts, where the meat and juice are blended to make a creamy drink.

Coconut Water vs. Coconut Milk

Coconut water is the clear juice found in young, green coconuts. Coconut milk comes from the brown mature coconuts, where the meat and juice are blended to make a creamy drink.

Coconut Cream: What to Know About This Dairy-Free Alternative

1. Electrolytes

Coconut water contains many naturalelectrolytes, such as sodium,magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Electrolytes are minerals essential for balancing the amount of water in your body, moving waste into and out of cells and supporting muscle and nerve function.

Sometimes, working out or losing a lot of liquid can cause anelectrolyte imbalance, which is why sports drinks, which have electrolytes, are so popular. An imbalance of electrolytes can occur when the amount of water in your body changes drastically, like after vomiting or having diarrhea.

Coconut water is lower in sugar than most sports drinks and has carbohydrates, which may help improve muscle function.Research found coconut water more beneficial than regular water for rehydration after exercise because of its high electrolyte count.

Although coconut water contains natural electrolytes, it is not the best option after a long, high-intensity workout. Coconut water has less sodium than other sports drinks.

Foods With Electrolytes

2. Lowers Blood Pressure

One cup of coconut water has 400 milligrams (mg) ofpotassium.A potassium-rich diet has been shown to reduce blood pressure and support heart health.The electrolytes in coconut water can also stabilid blood pressure.

3. Protects Against Free Radicals

Theantioxidantsin coconut water have been shown to help protect againstfree radicals, unstable molecules that can damage DNA and cause cancer.

4. Prevents Kidney Stones

5. Stronger Bones and Teeth

The combination ofphosphateand calcium in coconut water works together to help build strong bones and teeth.

6. Stabilizes Blood Sugar

Magnesium in coconut water can help controlblood glucose(sugar).

Nutrition Breakdown of Coconut Water

Coconut water has been touted as nature’s sports drink because of its high levels of vitamin C and potassium. It’s also low in calories and fat. One cup of 100% coconut water has:

When Coconut Water Could Come in Handy

Since coconut water is so hydrating and remineralizing, consider reaching for it in these scenarios:

Health-Wise, Is It OK to Drink Every Day?

Whether drinking coconut water is healthy to drink daily depends on your health and lifestyle. Consider your level of activity, the climate you live in, and your fluid intake from other sources. It all depends on your health and lifestyle.

Consider your level of activity, climate, and other fluid intake. Magnesium and potassium deficiencies are widespread in the United States—coconut water can supply these nutrients in high amounts.

Studies also show that women who increase magnesium intake during theluteal phaseof their period (the two weeks leading to menstruation) saw a decrease in symptoms.

Should Anyone Not Drink Coconut Water?

See a healthcare provider before drinking coconut water if you haverenal (kidney) failure, chronickidney disease, or take medications such asangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It’s high in potassium, and when the kidneys can’t properly remove excess minerals from the body, a life-threatening condition calledhyperkalemia(too much potassium in the blood) can occur.

If you haveirritable bowel syndrome(IBS) or are following alow-FODMAP(fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides, and polyols) diet, limit or avoid coconut water because it contains certain carbohydrates that can exacerbate digestive symptoms.

Coconuts are not tree nuts, so people with tree nut allergies can still safely consume coconut, but there are rare cases ofcoconut allergies.

Choosing Quality Store-Bought Coconut Water

Why is some coconut water refrigerated and some not? Why are some brands pink and others clear? Choosing quality store-bought coconut water can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know:

Young Coconut WaterMost coconut water comes from young, green coconuts, about 7 or 8 months of age.The more mature brown coconuts are better used for coconut milk, where the liquid and “meat” of the coconut are blended to make a creamy substance.

Young Coconut Water

Most coconut water comes from young, green coconuts, about 7 or 8 months of age.The more mature brown coconuts are better used for coconut milk, where the liquid and “meat” of the coconut are blended to make a creamy substance.

Summary

Coconut water is a naturally sweet drink that has several health benefits, thanks to all of its vitamins and electrolytes. From supporting heart health to stabilizing blood sugar and other benefits, it’s healthy to drink daily, especially if you exercise often or have chronic diarrhea. Anyone with kidney issues or IBS should consult a healthcare professional before making it a regular beverage.

15 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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