Is Coconut Water Acidic? And Bad For Acid Reflux?

Coconut water is technically mildly acidic, with a pH of 4.7 to 5.7, but drinking coconut water has an alkalizing effect on your stomach acid, neutralizing pH and treating symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD.

Practically speaking, coconut water is alkaline – that is how it affects your body, and it is suitable for people on a low-acid diet.

Coconut water is what pours out when you crack open a fresh coconut. To get coconut milk, you blend together the firm coconut flesh with coconut water. To get coconut cream, collect the fattiest parts of coconut milk. 

Coconut water has a distinct taste that some people like and some people don’t. It is refreshing like water, but also a bit salty and sweet.

Although you can pour fresh coconut water right out of a green coconut, the type of coconut water you buy bottled in the grocery store is probably a mix of many coconuts.

Will drinking coconut water bother your stomach? Could coconut water give you acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD? The answer could be a little bit more complicated than you think.

Is Coconut Water Acidic?

Coconut water made from fresh coconuts is neutral to mildly acidic, rating 4.7 – 5.7 on the pH scale, where 7 is considered neutral.

Coconut water contains many different nutrients and electrolytes that contribute to a pH level that is lower. However, when you drink coconut water it has an alkalizing effect on the body.

The nutrients and electrolytes in coconut water actually raise the pH in your stomach, neutralizing it and protecting you from symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD.

Coconut water that is not harvested from fresh coconuts is really just water that has been flavored with dried coconut. These might be tasty, but are also more acidic and can cause more stomach problems.

If you are unsure, check the label and make sure that coconut water is listed as the first ingredient and not “coconut, water”.

Coconut water that is harvested directly from fresh coconuts is the most alkaline, and lowest in acidity naturally. Coconut water from green coconuts can have a pH of up to 7. 

However, chances are we aren’t talking about the coconut water you drink on a tropical vacation, but the kind that you buy at the grocery store after it is imported from abroad.

This kind of coconut water is derived from a mix of hundreds or thousands of coconuts and may include some preservatives. 

Is Coconut Water Alkaline?

Technically and scientifically speaking, coconut water is not alkaline because, when it is measured, it has a pH rating under 7, making it more acidic than water. 

However, for practical purposes, coconut water is alkaline. It has the same effects on your body that other alkaline drinks have, lowering the pH in your stomach and treating symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux.

Although coconut water isn’t alkaline in itself, it has an alkalizing effect on your body.

Although in general, eating acidic foods contributes to increased acidity in your stomach, this isn’t always the case.

The ways that the food you eat affects your stomach acidity are more complicated than that, and can depend on the other nutrients and chemicals in what you are eating.

An example of this is lemon juice in water. It’s hard to find anything edible that is more acidic than lemon juice, which can actually burn your skin!

However, dissolving lemon juice in water and drinking it has an alkalizing effect on your stomach, neutralizing acidity. 

Coconut water is not technically alkaline. It’s not as acidic as lemon juice, but it does have some acidity.

The important thing is how it affects you – it neutralizes acidity, balances your stomach, and helps treat symptoms of stomach acidity problems.

Is Coconut Water Good For Acid Reflux And Heartburn?

Yes, coconut water is helpful for acid reflux. In the short term, it can treat the symptoms by neutralizing the pH in your stomach.

In the long term, drinking coconut water regularly can help improve your health with nutrients and electrolytes as a part of a balanced diet.

Coconut water is slightly acidic, but it is alkalizing, which makes all of the difference.

Unlike coconut milk, it is low in fat too. Sometimes excess fat can contribute to acid reflux, so having a low-fat drink like coconut water is safer than coconut milk.

There is a sweet taste to coconut water, and if you imagined that there is sugar in it you would be right, but these sugars are pure glucose, and about the easiest kind of sugar for your body to process.

Coconut water is also lower in sugar (while tasting sweet) than the vast majority of bottled drinks out there, which makes it a great replacement for sports drinks. Coconut water is even recommended for diabetics.

Since coconut water is low-sugar and low-fat, as well as alkalizing, it makes a great choice for people who struggle with stomach acidity – whether that is acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD.

It is safe, and can help to neutralize your stomach pH and treat symptoms without aggravating other problems.

RELATED: Are Avocados Acidic, And Bad For Acid Reflux?

Is Coconut Water Healthy?

It’s hard to find anything that is healthier than a coconut.

Coconuts are full of protein, nutrients, and electrolytes. These natural miracles contain almost everything needed to sustain human life.

Over the centuries, coconuts have supported entire societies, as well as isolated individuals stuck on deserted islands. 

Is coconut water as healthy as coconuts in general?

Drinking coconut water can deliver many health benefits.

Most people are dehydrated a lot. We drink tea, coffee, and other diuretics constantly. Coconut water is more effective than regular water at dehydrating you, especially after intense physical activity.

If you are into fitness, ditching your sugary sports drinks for coconut water can help you stay hydrated while nourishing your body with nutrients and electrolytes.

Coconut water is high in potassium and other nutrients and has been shown to improve metabolism and kidney function. It has even been shown to break down small kidney stones.

The fact that coconut water neutralizes stomach pH and helps to restore alkalinity is just one of the major health benefits it confers. 

Regularly drinking coconut water is a healthy habit that can help you balance your stomach, rehydrate, and lower your intake of sugar.

What Are The Risks Of Drinking Coconut Water?

If you have acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD frequently and you discover that drinking coconut water is a remedy, you’re probably already wondering how often you can drink it.

If you have acid reflux more than once a day, is it okay to keep drinking coconut water whenever you get symptoms?

The answer is yes… but.

Coconut water is healthy to drink daily. It is a low-calorie, low-sugar, low-fat drink with lots of nutrients and electrolytes. However, anything in excess can be harmful.

If you are drinking more than several cans or bottles of coconut water per day, either to deal with acid reflux symptoms or just because you like the taste, there are some minor risks to consider.

Coconut water is high in potassium. This can build up in the liver over time. If you are drinking coconut water and eating other high-potassium fruits and vegetables like bananas, you might be putting yourself at risk with an excess of potassium.

This condition, called hyperkalemia, is potentially life-threatening and involves heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, vomiting, and convulsions.

You shouldn’t need to worry about it as long as you balance your coconut water with other drinks and regulate the high-potassium foods that you eat.

While a moderate amount of coconut water is hydrating, coconut water is a diuretic and a laxative. Drinking a lot of it can make you need to go to the bathroom frequently.

A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to 2-3 glasses (less than 750ml) of coconut water per day. If you alternate drinking coconut water with regular water, you will get the best effects. 

It’s also worth noting that some people have allergies to coconuts and coconut water. If your body doesn’t respond well to coconut water and it bothers your stomach etc, stop drinking it.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Coconut Water?

People have different opinions about coconut water, and while it is indisputably a healthy choice in moderation, there are plenty of people who point to its drawbacks and choose a different refreshment instead.

The pros of coconut water

1. It is alkalizing. Although coconut water is slightly acidic, it has a neutralizing effect on stomach pH and is a great treatment for symptoms of stomach acidity.
2. It is full of electrolytes. Coconut water makes an excellent substitute for sports drinks. The nutrients, sugar, and electrolytes that it naturally includes all work together to rehydrate your body better than water can.
3. It is low-sugar and low-fat. If you are on a diet, coconut water is a great choice because although it serves to fuel your body during exercise, it doesn’t contain many calories.

The cons of coconut water

1. It has a taste that not everyone loves. It’s sweet, salty, and a bit nutty. You have to try it for yourself.
2. You don’t want to drink too much – you can get an electrolyte imbalance if you’re not careful.
3. It’s not a miracle cure. Although coconut water is healthy and restorative, it doesn’t always live up to the excessive claims some people make online. Coconut water doesn’t cure diseases. It won’t permanently solve acid reflux or GERD, and it is not ideal for everyone.

3 Quick Coconut Water Recipes That Anybody Can Have!

Here is something that all coconut lovers will be heartily interested in trying. This post is all about coconut water and the things you can make with it. Coconut water is naturally alkaline and has many health benefits.

Now, quit drinking your normal coconut water, while you can add exotic flavors to it. You can add coconut water to your go-to smoothie with several other coconut water recipes. 

Let us get on to learn several recipes that may become your all-time favorite recipes! Something as healthy as coconut water can become tasteless eventually. These recipes will ensure that never happens to you.

Quick Table: Easy Coconut Water Recipes

1. Coconut Water With Lemon And Mint Recipe

Here is a quick recipe that you can make in 15 minutes; all you need are four ingredients. Coconut water with lemon and mint is a straightforward recipe to make. 

Lemon is the hero ingredient of most drinks in summer, so why not mix it with something healthy? Coconut water is an excellent drink for weight loss, and lemon is popularly used for detox.

All you need is a coconut, some mint leaves, lemon, and 1 tbsp of honey. 

Break a coconut, pour the water into a glass and then add some finely chopped coconut meat. You can scrape off the coconut meat with a spoon. Next, take some lemon juice, honey, and mint and stir it well. There! Your drink is ready.

Calories Per Serving: 80

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

RELATED: Are Apples Acidic?

2. Coconut And Chia Seed Pudding

Besides coconut water, coconut milk will be an additional requirement for this drink. The milk is essential for this drink to build consistency. 

Do the top layer of this pudding with any of your favorite fruit. You will love the aesthetics of the final product. Yet the time it will take is only around 30 minutes.

Chia seeds take time to soak up and bloat, so you must keep them in water the night before. This pudding is a great breakfast option as it has protein and fiber with low carbs.

Calories Per Serving: 170

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

3. Coconut Water And Water Melon Drink

Here is another drink that you can make quickly. It would be best if you had watermelon and coconut water for this drink. Then, you can experiment with how the watermelon is cut. 

Watermelon is a natural watery fruit; combining it with water makes it healthier. In addition, these drinks are stomach-friendly and can be done in a bit of time. 

All you need is the fruit, along with the coconut water. Carve the fruit in whichever shape you want, and do not add sugar to the drink. Once you blend the fruit in the water, combine it with fruits carved in a ball shape.

Calories Per Serving: 55

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Drinking Coconut Water Do Every Day?

If you drink coconut water every day, it can help you maintain a healthy heartbeat because it helps keep cholesterol at bay. In addition, it has electrolytes that detoxify the body and keeps it hydrated.

Why Do People Drink Coconut Water?

It is a natural beverage with ample benefits for the body, like maintaining blood sugar levels benefiting the heartbeat, improving kidney health, and keeping electrolytes refreshed.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Coconut Water?

With the many good things about this water, it also has some disadvantages like:

• Some allergies may trigger of it
• Not ideal for athletes
• Has diuretic properties
• It can increase blood sugar levels

3 Quick Coconut Water Recipes That Anybody Can Have!

Coconut water is a popular drink, but some people wonder if it’s acidic. We explore the pH of coconut water and answer the question.

Ingredients

• Coconut Water With Lemon And Mint Recipe

• Coconut And Chia Seed Pudding

• Coconut Water And Water Melon Drink

Directions

• Pick a recipe from the list above
• Click the recipe name and visit the website
• Collect the ingredients and cook the food
• Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

Latest posts by Jess Smith (see all)

• Top Main Differences Between Tagliatelle And Fettuccine Pasta - March 10, 2023
• The Main Differences Between Red And Green Jalapeno Peppers - March 10, 2023
• Perfect Griddle Cakes To Make Simply Delicious Recipes For The Meal - March 9, 2023