Coconut Water
What is it?
Coconut water is sometimes referred to as green coconut water because the immature coconuts are green in color.
Coconut water is different than coconut milk. Coconut milk is produced from an emulsion of the grated meat of a mature coconut.
Coconut water is commonly used as a beverage and as a solution for treating dehydration related to diarrhea or exercise. It is also tried for high blood pressure.
How effective is it?
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
The effectiveness ratings for COCONUT WATER are as follows:
Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…
- Diarrhea-related dehydration. Some research shows that consuming coconut water can help prevent dehydration in children with mild diarrhea. But there is no reliable evidence that it is any more effective than other beverages for this use.
- Exercise-related dehydration. Some athletes use coconut water to replace fluids after exercise. Coconut water seems to help rehydrate after exercise, but it does not appear to be more effective than sports drinks or plain water.
- High blood pressure. Some research suggests that drinking coconut water might lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of coconut water for these uses.
How does it work?
Are there safety concerns?
Coconut water is POSSIBLY SAFE for children.
Special precautions & warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of coconut water during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
High blood pressure: Coconut water might lower blood pressure. It can increase the effects of medications used to lower blood pressure. Discuss your use of coconut water with your healthcare provider if you have blood pressure problems.
Are there interactions with medications?
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
- Coconut water might decrease blood pressure. Taking coconut water along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?
- Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure
- Coconut water might lower blood pressure. Using it along with other herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure might lower blood pressure too much. Some of these products include danshen, epimedium, ginger, Panax ginseng, turmeric, valerian, and others.
Are there interactions with foods?
- There are no known interactions with foods.
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Methodology
To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.
References
- Alleyne T, Roache S, Thomas C, Shirley A. The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks. West Indian Med J 2005;54:3-8. View 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;38:769-85. View abstract.
- Saat M, Singh R, Sirisinghe RG, Nawawi M. Rehydration after exercise with fresh young coconut water, carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage and plain water. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002;21:93-104. View abstract.
