Drinking coconut water may help you rehydrate after diarrhea, though too much can have side effects, including gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea. Other electrolyte-rich drinks can also help.

Coconut water is a popular beverage made from the juice of coconuts.

It’s a natural source of minerals that can help rehydrate you, and many people drink coconut water when they have diarrhea or other conditions that lead to dehydration.

However, coconut water can also contribute to diarrhea in some cases.

Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between coconut water and diarrhea, what happens if you have too much, and when to talk with a doctor about dehyration from diarrhea.

Drinking coconut water can help you rehydrate if you’re experiencing diarrhea.

Diarrhea is the term for having loose and watery stools, usually three or more times per day. Diarrhea is marked by significant fluid and electrolyte losses from the body and can lead to dehydration. It can occur due to:

  • the stomach flu
  • gastrointestinal diseases or obstructions
  • food poisoning
  • running
  • certain medications

In those cases, it’s advisable to rehydrate with electrolyte-containing beverages. Experts recommend drinking beverages containing glucose and the electrolytes sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate to enhance water absorption.

Coconut water is rich in many of these electrolytes, and low-sugar fruit juices like it are considered a good beverage choice when diarrhea occurs. However, it’s best to avoid excessive sugar, so be sure to opt for unsweetened coconut water.

Studies suggest that coconut water effectively treats dehydration due to mild diarrhea and is comparable to sports drinks at promoting rehydration in other instances of electrolyte losses.

When is dehydration an emergency?

Dehydration can become severe, especially if fluids are not kept down or pass through the body too quickly.

Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires urgent medical attention.

If your body loses too much water due to severe dehydration, your organs, cells, and tissues cannot function as they should, which can lead to dangerous complications, such as shock and brain damage.

You can gauge the severity of dehydration by checking your skin elasticity, or turgor, by pinching or folding your skin between the pads of two fingers. If you pinch the skin on your arm, it should quickly fall back to its normal appearance once you let go.

If the skin “tents” or sticks together under the surface, it usually indicates that you’re severely dehydrated.

Severe dehydration usually requires IV rehydration.

Although coconut water may help treat mild dehydration caused by diarrhea, it may also have a laxative effect.

Drinking too much coconut water may lead to excess potassium consumption, which can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea in some people.

One 2014 case report documented hyperkalemia, or high blood levels of potassium, in a patient who drank multiple servings of coconut water in one day.

Coconut water is also high in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), which are short-chain carbohydrates that may draw water into the intestines and cause digestive issues like diarrhea in some people, according to a 2022 review of research.

Commercially prepared coconut water may contain high amounts of added sugars, sugar alcohols, and artificial sweeteners, which may trigger digestive discomfort in some people. Drinking a lot of sweetened or flavored coconut water may therefore contribute to diarrhea.

To reduce the risk of diarrhea from coconut water, choose unsweetened varieties and avoid consuming multiple servings at a time.

Many different fluids, aside from coconut water, can help you rehydrate when you’re experiencing diarrhea and after it has resolved.

Other options can include:

  • oral rehydration solutions
  • broths
  • low sugar sports drinks
  • diluted fruit juices
  • homemade oral rehydration solution consisting of 1 teaspoon salt + 6 teaspoons sugar + 1 liter of water

It’s also best to avoid beverages containing caffeine, alcohol, or carbonation, which can worsen dehydration.

You may also decide to follow a bland diet. This typically include eating foods that are easy to digest, like processed grains, lean protein, and broth-based soups.

Coconut water comes from the juice found inside coconuts. It comprises mostly water but also contains important nutrients that aren’t found in plain water.

One cup (240 mL) of unsweetened coconut water provides:

  • Calories: 45
  • Protein: 1.7 grams
  • Fat: 0.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 9 grams
  • Fiber: 2.6 grams
  • Sugars: 6 grams
  • Calcium: 5% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Magnesium: 15% of the DV
  • Potassium: 17% of the DV
  • Sodium: 10% of the DV

Coconut water is very hydrating and considered a natural alternative to sports drinks.

Potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium act as electrolytes to help maintain proper fluid balance in the body.

However, the number of electrolytes in coconut water depends on whether it was obtained from young or mature coconuts and may vary across brands. Mature coconuts tend to have higher amounts of electrolytes.

Sports drinks and similar beverages aimed at rehydration also contain electrolytes, but are typically made with added sugars and food dyes. However, some commercial varieties of coconut water may also contain sweeteners and flavorings.

Coconut water is a hydrating beverage and a natural source of electrolytes.

Coconut water may help you rehydrate when you’re experiencing diarrhea. However, it may also have a laxative effect in some people, especially when consumed in large quantities.

Remember to drink coconut water in moderation and choose unsweetened varieties without additives. Avoid coconut water if it triggers diarrhea or digestive discomfort.