Coconut water is often hyped up as something of a “miracle product,” capable of helping with more minor and major health situations than we can possibly count.
But more important than hype, for us, is making sure customers are familiar with the facts on why coconut water is an increasingly popular and dependable choice.
In no area is this more crucial than for families, especially those with small children.
And there’s one particular question that sometimes pops up regarding coconut water and children that we’d like to address: does coconut water cause diarrhea?
The Difference Between Coconut Milk and Coconut Water
First, let’s take a closer look at the unique properties of coconut water. Some readers may be more familiar with coconut milk, a product derived from shredding the “meat” inside a mature coconut, adding water, reducing the mixture to a concentrated substance, and straining.
Coconut milk is delicious and healthy, but also somewhat high in calories due to being more directly a product of the coconut flesh itself.
In contrast, coconut water is the naturally occurring liquid that fills out the negative space where coconut flesh has not yet grown inside immature green coconuts. There is no processing required.
Coconut Milk: The Basics
Coconut water is high in several important nutrients directly related to preventing dehydration, including notable levels of;
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Magnesium
It also contains some carbohydrates, although not as much as emulsified coconut milk or raw coconut flesh does.
When to Avoid Coconut Water
There are rare circumstances where coconut water should be avoided entirely:
- Because of the high potassium content of coconut water, children or adults with naturally high potassium in their blood work should avoid coconut water
- People with kidney issues may not properly process the large potassium content of coconut water
Coconut water is a natural beverage with low risk for most people, children and adults alike. Most people will not have to worry about averse effects from drinking it.
However, if you or your child suffers from the health issues mentioned above, you should consult your physician before consuming any coconut water.
Coconut Water as a Diarrhea Treatment
Because of the benefits for fighting dehydration, coconut water is actually commonly used as a treatment for diarrhea in both adults and children.
The higher sodium content and a larger proportion of water content compared to carbohydrates make coconut water a potent treatment for the dehydration associated with suffering from a bout of diarrhea.
Drinking coconut water within one hour of an episode of diarrhea is a commonly prescribed supplemental curative.
Is there Any Way Coconut Water Can Cause Diarrhea?
So, coconut water is suggested as a treatment for diarrhea implies that it is not associated with triggering diarrhea. But things don’t always play out in the most intuitive fashion, so let’s examine the original question a little closer: can coconut water cause diarrhea?
The only notable exception to this depends on the potential for allergic reactions in children to coconut itself. While this particular allergy is not common, and diarrhea is not a primary result of this allergy, it is possible.
What Is the Best Dose to Treat Dehydration In Children?
Parents can rest assured that their children will not have diarrhea caused directly by consuming reasonable amounts of coconut water. While there are no official coconut water dosages for diarrhea treatment for children, the typical 250 ml. serving of the drink should be appropriate for most children.
Consuming large amounts of coconut water could lead to some uncomfortable side effects. While diarrhea was not mentioned, abdominal bloating has been associated with coconut water — but only at incredibly high consumption levels from 2.0 to 2.5 liters in one sitting.
To sum up, the keyword to rely on is “moderation”, as it so often is with almost any natural and safe consumables.
Natural, Efficient Hydration
In the interest of sharing all the facts on coconut water, we’ve spelled out several notable situations where consuming it could be detrimental.
But the overall message should be clear: coconut water is healthy, hydrating, and more than not being a cause of diarrhea in children it happens to be a great cure for the dehydration diarrhea triggers.
Coconut water is great in moderation as a way to regularly bolster potassium, and it’s incredibly helpful to have on hand in case of unexpected bouts of illness associated with dehydration.
Looking for more information on the health benefits of adding coconut water to you or your child’s diet? Our website has much more wonderful information for you to dive into, so don’t hesitate to take a look!