Key Takeaways
- Achieving remission for ulcerative colitis (UC) often takes a combination of strategies, like medications and lifestyle changes.
- A new study suggests that coconut water might offer unique benefits for UC patients trying to achieve remission.
- While more research is needed on its benefits for UC, coconut water is a nourishing, hydrating beverage that can be a more nutritious alternative to bottled sports drinks.
Dubbed “nature’s sports drink,” coconut water may have some unexpected health benefits beyond quenching thirst on a sweltering day.
A new study found that drinking coconut water every day might lead to clinical remission for people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).1
For eight weeks, 49 participants drank coconut water, while 46 drank a placebo. Both groups continued receiving their usual medications for UC and followed their typical diets. After the study period, 53% of the people who consumed coconut water experienced well-controlled UC symptoms with low disease activity. Only 28% of the people in the placebo group had the same positive outcomes.1
“Coconut water is by no means a standalone strategy for ulcerative colitis, but it may complement standard interventions for mild to moderate UC and comes with few risks,” Edwina Clark, MS, RD, a registered dietitian who was not involved in the study, told Verywell.
UC is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes irritation and swelling in the large intestine, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, frequent and urgent bowel movements, bloody stool, and fatigue. The exact cause of UC remains unknown, but it’s thought to involve the body’s immune defenses mistakenly attacking the digestive tract.
One of the main goals for people living with UC is to achieve remission—a period during which the disease’s symptoms are significantly reduced or absent.2 UC remission could mean a better quality of life and a reduced risk of colon cancer and other complications associated with long-term inflammation of the colon.
Clark said it’s unclear if coconut water could benefit patients with severe UC symptoms or those who are taking steroids since the study only focused on mild to moderate UC.
“Managing ulcerative colitis is often multi-faceted and largely depends on the person and their presentation,” Clark added. “Treatment plans often include a combination of medication, diet, and lifestyle strategies.”
Why Might Coconut Water Help With UC?
Coconut water is a uniquely nutritious drink. It contains natural electrolytes and sweetness, as well as compounds that are absent in typical sports drinks or plain water.
Coconut contains a type of anti-inflammatory plant hormone called cytokinins. In lab experiments, coconut water has also been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.3
Some studies suggest that coconut water has specific antimicrobial peptides that may influence the gut microbiome.4 Given the connection between an imbalance in gut microbiota and UC symptoms, it’s plausible that coconut water could be beneficial for people with UC.5
It’s also packed with potassium, a nutrient linked to reduced inflammation. In fact, higher potassium intake is associated with a reduced risk of IBD, including UC and Crohn’s disease.6
Even if it didn’t have these interesting attributes and potential gut health benefits, at its most basic level, coconut water is another way to hydrate. The beverage’s balance of electrolytes, nutrition, and tastiness could help someone experiencing diarrhea associated with a UC flare avoid dehydration.
What Other Strategies Can Help Manage Ulcerative Colitis?
Aside from coconut water, Clark said, people living with IBD may consider dietary patterns that are rich in fruit, vegetables, monounsaturated fats, complex carbs, and lean protein, while limiting ultra-processed foods. This could help reduce inflammation and promote general health during periods of remission.
“Adherence to medication, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep is important, too,” she said.
The effects of various foods may vary from person to person, said Chrissy Arsenault, MBA, RDN, a registered dietitian at Trainer Academy. While coconut water may help ease UC symptoms, it’s best to monitor dietary changes and discuss them with your healthcare providers.
“I would highly recommend maintaining a food diary and discussing the results with a registered dietitian to identify and holistically evaluate the potential trigger reactions,” Arsenault said.
What This Means for You
Ulcerative colitis remission can often take a combination of medications and lifestyle changes, including your diet. Some early research suggests that coconut water might be helpful for people trying to achieve UC remission. At the very least, its hydrating, nutritious qualities make it worth trying in place of bottle sports drinks.
Sources:
- Kedia S, Virmani S, Bajaj A, et al. Coconut water induces clinical remission in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis: double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online January 24, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2024.01.013
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts of ulcerative colitis.
- Rukmini JN, Manasa S, Rohini C, et al. Antibacterial efficacy of tender coconut water (Cocos nucifera L) on Streptococcus mutans: an in-vitro study. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2017;7(2):130-134. doi:10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_275_16
- Anaya K, Podszun M, Franco OL, de Almeida Gadelha CA, Frank J. The coconut water antimicrobial peptide CnAMP1 is taken up into intestinal cells but does not alter p-glycoprotein expression and activity. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2020;75(3):396-403. doi:10.1007/s11130-020-00826-y
- Shen ZH, Zhu CX, Quan YS, et al. Relationship between intestinal microbiota and ulcerative colitis: Mechanisms and clinical application of probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation. World J Gastroenterol. 2018;24(1):5-14. doi:10.3748/wjg.v24.i1.5
- Khalili H, Malik S, Ananthakrishnan AN, et al. Identification and characterization of a novel association between dietary potassium and risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Front Immunol. 2016;7:554. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2016.00554
Important Notice: This article was originally published at www.verywellhealth.com by Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD where all credits are due. Fact checked by Nick Blackmer.
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