Tender coconut water is of course, refreshing and it is often touted as a natural sports drink. Recently, a cardiologist Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy took to social media platform X and called coconut water an “overrated drink”.
“Overrated drink. If you have a coconut tree at home or farm, drink it. Otherwise, there is no need to buy and drink. Drink water,” he wrote.
In the comments of the post, he explained that “eat a banana and drink a glass of water. That’ll give better benefit at 10 percent the price.”
Overrated drink. If you have a coconut tree at home or farm, drink it. Otherwise, there is no need to buy and drink. Drink water. https://t.co/GVHQsObDT3
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) March 26, 2025
An internet user even tagged Grok to “verify the doctor’s claim.” “Coconut water has electrolytes, making it good for post-exercise hydration, but plain water is sufficient and cheaper for daily use. At Rs 60/200 ml, it’s not essential for most, supporting claims it’s overrated, though useful for athletes or hot climates,” Grok responded.
Water + banana offers hydration, fiber, and vitamin C, but less sodium and magnesium than coconut water. For daily use, it’s sufficient and cost-effective; for intense activity, coconut water’s electrolytes (600 mg potassium, 252 mg sodium) may be better. Surprisingly, coconut… pic.twitter.com/FKhgtsZVZ6
— Grok (@grok) March 26, 2025
What is coconut water?
Coconut water is the clear fluid inside coconuts. “So coconut water is a type of juice. Unlike some other juices, unflavored coconut water is low in added sugar and calories,” Mayo Clinic says.
Mayo Clinic also stated that some people drink coconut water for its electrolytes and those are charged minerals that help you stay hydrated.
“Some evidence suggests that coconut water may compare to having a sports drink. But coconut water is no more hydrating than plain water,” Mayo Clinic stated.
What are the potential benefits of coconut water?
There are plenty of ways to incorporate coconut water into your diet to reap the benefits. Some of the potential benefits include:
- Provides Hydration
- May Support Athletic Performance and Recovery
- Could Lower Blood Pressure
- May Help Prevent Kidney Stones
“Coconut water and regular water both offer hydration, but their benefits differ significantly. While water is essential for maintaining overall hydration and bodily functions, coconut water provides additional nutrients like electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, and sodium), making it a preferred choice for post-exercise rehydration,” Dr Kiran Soni, Head, Department of Nutrition & Health, Yatharth Hospital Greater Noida told Financial Express.com.
However, the benefits of coconut water often get exaggerated. “While it is a good source of natural hydration, claims of it being a miracle drink for weight loss, anti-aging, or detoxification lack strong scientific backing. In essence, coconut water is beneficial but should not replace plain water for daily hydration,” Dr. Soni said.
Who should avoid coconut water?
Anyone with a chronic kidney disease avoid consuming large amounts of coconut water. Coconut water has high potassium content. A large intake of potassium in kidney patients can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood).