Beyond the Beverage: The Versatility and Health Benefits of Coconut Water
Abstract
Young coconuts contain a clear liquid called coconut water, which has attracted a lot of interest due to its inherent qualities and potential health benefits. Coconut water, which has long been used as a hydration beverage, is now valued for its diverse nutritional composition, which includes vital sugars, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other substances that promote growth. This review provides an overview of recent studies on the physicochemical traits, medicinal qualities, and practical uses of coconut water. Research has emphasized its cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties as well as its possible application in the treatment of kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension. The review also looks at how coconut water has been used historically and traditionally in medicine across cultures as a natural cure for a range of illnesses. In addition to its nutritional and therapeutic value, coconut water is being investigated for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, as well as for food preservation and biotechnological applications. The results highlight that coconut water is a multipurpose biofluid with potential uses in the health and wellness sectors, making it more than just a cool beverage. Its therapeutic potential could be further established and its commercial use expanded with further research into its bioactive compounds and mechanisms of action. To sum up, coconut water is a naturally occurring, sustainable, and biologically active resource with a variety of advantages that warrant further research and incorporation into contemporary medical procedures.
Keywords: Coconut water, Hydration, Therapeutic potential, Biofluid, Cardioprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant.
Keywords:
Coconut water, Hydration, Therapeutic potential, Biofluid, CardioprotectiveDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v16i1.7519References
1. Tuyekar SN, Tawade BS, Singh KS, Wagh VS, Vidhate PK, Yevale RP, Gaikwad S, Kale M. An overview on coconut water: As a multipurpose nutrition. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res. 2021;68(2):63-70. https://doi.org/10.47583/ijpsrr.2021.v68i02.010
2. Naik M, CK S, Rawson A, N V. Tender coconut water: A review on recent advances in processing and preservation. Food Reviews International. 2022 Aug 18;38(6):1215-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2020.1785489
3. Prithviraj V, Pandiselvam R, Babu AC, Kothakota A, Manikantan MR, Ramesh SV, Beegum PS, Mathew AC, Hebbar KB. Emerging non-thermal processing techniques for preservation of tender coconut water. Lwt. 2021 Sep 1;149:111850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111850
4. Prithviraj V, Pandiselvam R, Babu AC, Kothakota A, Manikantan MR, Ramesh SV, Beegum PS, Mathew AC, Hebbar KB. Emerging non-thermal processing techniques for preservation of tender coconut water. Lwt. 2021 Sep 1;149:111850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111850
5. Xu S, Ma Z, Chen Y, Li J, Jiang H, Qu T, Zhang W, Li C, Liu S. Characterization of the flavor and nutritional value of coconut water vinegar based on metabolomics. Food Chemistry. 2022 Feb 1;369:130872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130872 PMid:34455324
6. Wang T, Huang R, Wei Z, Xie M, Chen L, Wang WT, Yun YH. Multimodal nondestructive testing of tender coconut water quality using spectroscopy, computer vision, and deep learning. Food Control. 2025 Aug 19:111660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2025.111660
7. Sum ZQ, Yusri AS, Sarbon NM. Investigation of physicochemical characterization, thermal inactivation kinetics of enzymes, and shelf-life study of pandan coconut water with honey addition. Food Chemistry Advances. 2025 Sep 1;8:101052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2025.101052
8. Chandrasekhar V, Rajan K, Kanakam SR, Sharma N, Weißenborn V, Schaub J, Steinbeck C. COCONUT 2.0: a comprehensive overhaul and curation of the collection of open natural products database. Nucleic Acids Research. 2025 Jan 6;53(D1):D634-43. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae1063 PMid:39588778 PMCid:PMC11701633
9. Lemos ID, Aniceto A, Teodoro AJ. Coconut water: production, nutritional properties and health benefits. Observatório De La Economía Latinoamericana. 2023 Apr 19;21(2):971-93. https://doi.org/10.55905/oelv21n2-021
10. Rethinam P, Krishnakumar V. Health benefits of coconut water. InCoconut water: a promising natural health drink-distribution, processing and nutritional benefits 2022 Oct 15 (pp. 385-455). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10713-9_9
11. Mu Z, Tran BM, Xu H, Yang Z, Qamar UZ, Wang X, Xiao Y, Luo J. Exploring the potential application of coconut water in healthcare and biotechnology: a review. Beverage Plant Research. 2024 Jan 29;4(1). https://doi.org/10.48130/bpr-0024-0009
12. Aba RP, Luna MB, Villasis JC, Ching AA. Characterization of mature coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water from different varieties. Food and Humanity. 2024 May 1;2:100248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2024.100248
13. Shayanthavi S, Kapilan R, Wickramasinghe I. Comprehensive analysis of physicochemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of various forms and varieties of tender coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water in Northern Sri Lanka. Food Chemistry Advances. 2024;4:100645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2024.100645
14. Rethinam P, Krishnakumar V. Value addition in coconut water. InCoconut Water: A Promising Natural Health Drink-Distribution, Processing and Nutritional Benefits 2022 Oct 15 (pp. 287-384). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10713-9_8
15. Shi S, Wang W, Wang F, Yang P, Yang H, He X, Liao X. Research Progress in Coconut Water: A Review of Nutritional Composition, Biological Activities, and Novel Processing Technologies. Foods. 2025 Apr 25;14(9):1503. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14091503 PMid:40361585 PMCid:PMC12072132
16. Lemos ID, Aniceto A, Teodoro AJ. Coconut water: production, nutritional properties and health benefits. Observatório De La Economía Latinoamericana. 2023 Apr 19;21(2):971-93. https://doi.org/10.55905/oelv21n2-021
17. Carvalho F, Lahlou RA, Pires P, Salgado M, Silva LR. Natural functional beverages as an approach to manage diabetes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023 Nov 30;24(23):16977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316977 PMid:38069300 PMCid:PMC10707707
18. Giri NA, Sakhale BK, Nirmal NP. Functional beverages: an emerging trend in beverage world. Recent Frontiers of Phytochemicals. 2023 Jan 1:123-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-19143-5.00002-5
19. Fu T, Chen H, Chen X, Sun Y, Xie Y, Deng M, Hesketh T, Wang X, Chen J. Sugar‐sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages and natural juices and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: a cohort study of 121,490 participants. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2022 Sep;56(6):1018-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17149 PMid:35848057 PMCid:PMC9546432
20. Madhumita M, Rohini C. Natural preservatives for beverages. InNatural Preservatives for Food 2025 Jan 1 (pp. 291-308). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95614-7.00004-1
21. Devi M, Ghatani K. The use of coconut in rituals and food preparations in India: a review. Journal of Ethnic Foods. 2022 Sep 5;9(1):37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-022-00150-7
22. Kalimuthu AS. Health Benefits of Coconut and Palm Drinks.
23. Atmojo IR, Ardiansyah R, Saputri DY. A simple water purification tool as an effort to meet clean water needs. InIOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2024 Mar 1 (Vol. 1314, No. 1, p. 012111). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1314/1/012111
24. Rethinam P, Krishnakumar V. Coconut Water.
25. Gunasekara IK, Lincoln NK, Meyer MA, Mikasobe-Keali 'inohomoku J, McMillen H. Identification and Preservation of the Hawaiian "Niu Hiwa" Within Hawai 'i's Coconut Diversity: Gunasekara et al.: Niu Hiwa. Economic Botany. 2025 Sep 29:1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-025-09653-1
26. Steckley M. What is Coconut Water?: commodification, globalization and place.
27. Roy S. Coconut Tree (Cocus nucifera). Trees of Ramayana, F Bast, Editor., Today & Tomorrow's Printers and Publishers India. 2022:35-50.
28. Tuyekar SN, Tawade BS, Singh KS, Wagh VS, Vidhate PK, Yevale RP, Gaikwad S, Kale M. An overview on coconut water: As a multipurpose nutrition. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res. 2021;68(2):63-70. https://doi.org/10.47583/ijpsrr.2021.v68i02.010
29. Coulibaly WH, Camara F, Tohoyessou MG, Konan PA, Coulibaly K, Yapo EG, Wiafe MA. Nutritional profile and functional properties of coconut water marketed in the streets of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). Scientific African. 2023 Jul 1;20:e01616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01616
30. Ajeigbe KO, Oladokun OO, Owonikoko MW, Adegoke GA. Effect of coconut water and milk on heat stress‐induced gastrointestinal tract dysmotility in rats: Role of oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2022 Jul;46(7):e14129. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14129
31. Elekwa I, Ude VC, Emmanuel O, Amachaghi VO, Ugbogu EA. In vivo studies on the ameliorative effect of coconut water against carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats. Biomarkers. 2021 Aug 18;26(6):570-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/1354750X.2021.1946848 PMid:34167403
32. Ct DR, Palaninathan V, James RA. Anti-uropathogenic, antioxidant and struvite crystallization inhibitory potential of fresh and fermented coconut water. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. 2023 Jan 1;47:102555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2022.102555
33. Zhang X, Peng L, Dai Y, Xie Q, Wu P, Chen M, Liu C. Anti-cataract effects of coconut water in vivo and in vitro. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2021 Nov 1;143:112032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112032 PMid:34488080
34. Oghenemaro EF, Sochi EO, Oghenovo OF, Michael O. The evaluation of the In-Vitro antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potentials of the tender water of Cocosnucifera (L.). World Journal of Environmental Biosciences. 2023;12(4-2023):8-13. https://doi.org/10.51847/JqUXHGZ6r0
35. Windarsih A, Indrianingsih AW, Maryana R, Apriyana W, Rosyida VT, Nurhayati S, Jatmiko TH, Ratih D, Suwanto A. Gold modified bacterial cellulose from coconut water waste and its antibacterial activity. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2022 Oct;13(10):4157-64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-022-01769-y
36. Aziz NS, Chin ZK, Mohd Razali NS, Sofian-Seng NS, Kasim KF. Development of mature coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) probiotic beverage: Physicochemical characteristics, microbial count, antioxidant activity, and sensory acceptance. International Food Research Journal. 2023 Feb 1;30(1). https://doi.org/10.47836/ifrj.30.1.09
37. Bose D, Olorunlana A, Abdel-Latif R, Famurewa AC, Othman EM. Virgin coconut oil and its lauric acid, between anticancer activity and modulation of chemotherapy toxicity: A review. Journal of Xenobiotics. 2025 Aug 5;15(4):126. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15040126 PMid:40863333 PMCid:PMC12387313
38. Ismail HF, Akhir FN, Othman NA, Hara H. Bioresources of Anticancer and Potential Medicinal Compound from Coconut Waste. Journal of Advanced Research Design. 2024 Sep 2;119(1):16-26. https://doi.org/10.37934/ard.119.1.1626
39. El Naggar HM, Mohammed BO, Aboushousha T, Abdelmaksoud HF. Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Coconut Oil Extracts as An Alternative Medicinal Plant in Cryptosporidium Infected Mice. Turkish Journal of Parasitology. 2023 Sep 18. https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2023.22932 PMid:37724361
40. Hammi KM, Essid R, Khadraoui N, Ksouri R, Majdoub H, Tabbene O. Antimicrobial, antioxidant and antileishmanial activities of Ziziphus lotus leaves. Archives of Microbiology. 2022 Jan;204(1):119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02733-5 PMid:34989872
41. Archana B, Mudavath RN, Enumula V, Ravali N, Kumar PS. Evaluation of antiepileptic activity of flowers of cocos nucifera L. Against experimentally induced convulsions in rats. J. Drug Deliv. Ther. 2021 Dec 27;11(6):159-66. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v11i6.5097
42. Chandrasekhar V, Rajan K, Kanakam SR, Sharma N, Weißenborn V, Schaub J, Steinbeck C. COCONUT 2.0: a comprehensive overhaul and curation of the collection of open natural products database. Nucleic Acids Research. 2025 Jan 6;53(D1):D634-43. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae1063 PMid:39588778 PMCid:PMC11701633
Published
Abstract Display: 47 
PDF Downloads: 26 PDF Downloads: 5 How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Ragini Bose; Shubham Ghosh; Moutoshi Singh, Sarthak Singh
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
How to Cite
.