Does Drinking Coconut Water Cause Diarrhea?

Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, including potassium, manganese, and sodium, according to Mayo Clinic. And it contains half as many calories as fruit juice.

This makes it a popular alternative to fruit juice. But drinking coconut water can cause diarrhea for some people. Plus, while coconut-water marketing shouts from the rooftops about its benefits, solid evidence doesn’t back them up.

Why Can Drinking Coconut Water Cause Diarrhea?

Drinking too much coconut water can contribute to diarrhea by causing electrolyte imbalances.

Different coconut-water brands have different servings of electrolytes, one of which is potassium. According to Cleveland Clinic, one symptom of excessive potassium in your blood is diarrhea.

Companies don’t market coconut water as a laxative because most people can tolerate it well. In fact, it's considered a safe option for maintaining hydration and replenishing electrolytes you may lose if you already have diarrhea. However, it’s no better than plain water for hydration, according to Mayo Clinic.

Sweetened coconut water may contain types of sugars called FODMAPs, including fructans and sorbitol, according to Monash University. These may cause digestive issues in people who have a sensitivity to FODMAPs.

Does Science Support Coconut Water’s Health Benefits?

The health benefits of coconut water have been a big part of marketing campaigns for the various products available today. But limited scientific evidence supports these claims.

The findings of studies on rodents and on individual cells show promise for coconut water’s possible effects on the following, according to a review:

• Reducing cell damage
• Managing inflammation
• Protecting the heart by lowering blood pressure and blood fats
• Lowering blood sugar
• Interfering with bacterial growth
• Potentially reducing the ability of certain cancers to spread
• Promoting wound healing
• Reduced aging
• Preventing kidney stones

Limited human studies also found that drinking coconut water may help get rid of certain kidney stone–linked compounds when you pee. This might lower the risk of kidney stones.

However, most research used rats, so these findings may not apply to people. More research is needed to confirm coconut water's potential benefits.

Disadvantages of Drinking Coconut Water

Some people say that drinking coconut water can hydrate your body better than plain water. But according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, there's no scientific evidence to support that claim. Drinking coconut water does have a range of potential health drawbacks, though, including:

• Calories One of the biggest downsides of drinking coconut water is that it has more calories than plain water. If you rely on it too much, you could easily take in too many calories, leading to weight gain.
• Higher Risk of an Electrolyte Imbalance Consuming too many electrolytes can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. When electrolyte imbalances become severe, they can be life-threatening. Even though symptoms vary depending on which electrolyte is too high or too low in your body, all require medical attention, according to Cleveland Clinic.
• Risky for People on Low-Potassium Diets Coconut water has more potassium in a serving than bananas, according to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. If you have a kidney condition and your doctor has recommended following a low-potassium diet, you shouldn't drink coconut water, as it can raise blood potassium levels.
• Added Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners Commercially prepared coconut water drinks may also contain other flavors and additives such as sugar or artificial sweeteners. These add calories and detract from the health benefits of coconut water. Some people may get diarrhea and other digestive symptoms if they’re sensitive to artificial sweeteners, according to Mayo Clinic.

If you have dietary needs that might mean excluding coconut water, ask a healthcare professional if you should avoid it or drink less of it.