Natural Health Advisory

3 Fabulous Coconut Water Health Benefits Coconut water has become increasingly popular as a drink around the world because of its natural ingredients, electrolytes, and mineral content combined with its low levels of fat, calories, and carbohydrates. This naturally nutritious beverage has antioxidant effects; protects the health of the cardiovascular system and the liver; and reduces cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure in animal studies.[1] In human clinical trials, coconut water has shown effectiveness for total body rehydration and blood volume restoration after exercise, as a therapeutic moisturizer for mild-to-moderate dry skin, and as a treatment for high blood pressure.[2] Coconut water health benefits clearly exist, but so do risks. (In part 2 of this article, you’ll learn why coconut water isn’t for everybody, who should avoid it, and why.)

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What is coconut water?

Coconut water comes from the cavity of the fruit of the coconut palm, which is grown throughout the world in tropical climates. Coconut water is about 95% water, 4% carbohydrates, 0.1% fat, 0.02% calcium, 0.01% phosphorous, and 0.5% iron, and contains amino acids, vitamin C, B complex vitamins, and minerals, including sodium and magnesium.[3,6] Coconut water also contains enzymes and various phytochemicals, some of which appear to have anti-cancer and anti-aging effects in preliminary studies.[3]

The contents of coconut water are similar to the ingredients in sports drinks and oral rehydration solutions, except that coconut water contains less sodium and more potassium, plus small amounts of the other nutrients just mentioned. The exact amounts and proportions of these compounds depends on the age and ripeness of the coconut fruit.[6] In general, coconut water is derived from younger, greener coconuts of the green dwarf variety, which has been shown to have the most powerful antioxidant activity and the highest levels of vitamin C and health-promoting polyphenol compounds among varieties.[7]

Coconut water to lower blood pressure

Increasing potassium through the diet is a well-established way to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease.[4] Coconut water may contain more than 600 mg of potassium per serving, an amount higher than one serving of just about any other food or beverage. Because of its high potassium content, coconut water has been studied for its effects in controlling high blood pressure and has been shown to decrease both systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure.[5]

A small human trial compared the effects of coconut water to plain bottled water and to another tropical drink called mauby in 28 patients with hypertension.[5] (Mauby is a tree-bark-based beverage grown and widely consumed in the Caribbean. It is made with sugar, spices, and the bark and/or fruit of certain species of Colubrina trees.)

Subjects received bottled drinking water, coconut water, mauby, or a mixture of coconut water and mauby for two weeks. Blood pressure readings were taken for two weeks before and then during the two-week treatment. Significant decreases in the mean systolic blood pressure were observed for 71% of patients receiving the coconut water, 40% of the patients receiving mauby, and 43% of the patients receiving the combination. For both the coconut water group and the mauby group, the largest average decreases in pressure were about 12 mmHg systolic and 7 mmHg, whereas they were 24 mmHg and 15 mmHg, respectively, for the group receiving the mixture. Although the combination led to the greatest blood pressure reductions, not as many people significantly benefited compared to those drinking coconut water alone.

Although these results are promising, researchers agree that more randomized trials with larger numbers of subject need to be conducted before there is sufficient evidence that coconut water is effective in treating hypertension.[2]

For more information on fighting hypertension, read 7 Foods That Lower Blood Pressure.

Coconut water health benefits for rehydration

Staying hydrated and replacing lost electrolytes are essential requirements for athletes and all individuals doing strenuous activity for long periods in hot conditions. Water and other fluids help the body maintain proper body temperatures, while electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium, are needed to regulate bodily functions. Sports drinks that contain water, sugar, and electrolytes help replace these compounds lost during exercise.

Studies have shown the efficacy of coconut water for enhancing hydration and exercise performance following dehydrating exercise.[8,9] A series of two randomized trials compared the effectiveness of fresh young coconut water to a typical carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink and to plain water. In the first trial, eight healthy male subjects exercised in the heat until almost 3% of their body weight was lost. Afterwards, they sat for two hours and drank one of the three fluids in amounts to replace 120% of the body weight lost.

While there were no statistically significant differences at the end of the two hours between the three drinks, those in the coconut water group were rehydrated more thoroughly than those in the plain water group. Furthermore, the coconut water caused less nausea and fullness and was easier to consume in larger amounts than both the sports drink and the plain water. The study authors concluded that coconut water could be used for whole-body rehydration after exercise-induced dehydration. (Read more in Natural Cures for Nausea and Dehydration.)

Coconut water plus added sodium

A second study took place at the same university and was essentially the same except this time, the researchers added a fourth beverage: coconut water with added sodium.[9] This time, the regular coconut water, the sodium-enriched coconut water, and the sports drink all restored the subjects’ blood volume, while the plain water did not. For whole-body rehydration, the sodium-enriched coconut water and the sports drink rehydrated the subjects significantly better than the plain water and the regular coconut water. The coconut water drinks were also better tolerated than the sports drink and the plain water.

Coconut water is okay for mild diarrhea

It should be noted that coconut water does not have a balanced electrolyte composition. It is too low in glucose, sodium, and chloride to fit the definition of an oral rehydration solution. This is likely why the sodium-enriched coconut water in the study performed better than regular coconut water. Nevertheless, unless you’re an athlete exercising for long periods in the heat, coconut water without added sodium is likely sufficient for rehydration.

Despite not being a balanced electrolyte solution, coconut water has also been found to be an effective rehydration solution for patients with mild diarrhea.[10] However, it should not be used in patients with severe diarrhea or in patients who are severely dehydrated and/or in whom kidney function is impaired. Part 2 of this article will tell you why you shouldn’t use coconut water in any of these cases and address additional risks.

[1] Braz J Pharmacogn. 2013 May/June;23(3): 481-87.

[2] Natural Standard Professional Monograph: Coconut. (Accessed by subscription May 13, 2014)

[3] Molecules. 2009 Dec 9;14(12):5144-64.

[4] Curr Opin Lipidol. 2014 Feb;25(1):75-9.

[5] West Indian Med J. 2005 Jan;54(1):3-8.

[6] J Pediatr (Rio J). 2006 Jul-Aug;82(4):308-12.

[7] An Acad Bras Cienc. 2013;85(4):1235-47.

[8] J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002 Mar;21(2):93-104.

[9] Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2007 Jul;38(4):769-85.

[10] Trop Geogr Med. 1992 Jan;44(1-2):149-53.

This post originally appeared in 2014 and has been updated.

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