Is Coconut Water Ketogenic? Nutritionist Says It Depends

The clear liquid inside of young green coconuts tastes both fresh and subtly sweet but is coconut water ketogenic? ⁵

This refreshing liquid is often marked as a healthy drink but to determine whether or not coconut water an acceptable beverage on keto, we’ll take a look at the carbohydrate content which is rather high and look into why a nutritionist says it depends.

How Many Carbs in Coconut Water? Is Coconut Water Keto Friendly?

Knowing how many carbs in coconut water may be useful for tracking macros on many trending diets, but keeping a close eye on the carb content in foods and drinks is especially crucial on the ketogenic diet.¹

One-hundred percent (100%) pure organic coconut water–not to be mistaken for coconut milk, which is water mixed with grated coconut meat or flesh and is high in fat–consists of very little fat, as it is about 94% water. 

Source: Towfiqu barbhuiya from Unsplash⁶

To answer the question of whether coconut water is keto friendly, one must first determine the net carbs in coconut water. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting fiber content and sugar alcohols–if any–from the total carbs, but coconut water by itself does not contain either of these so the total carbs and net carbs are the same.

That being said, the carbs in just one cup of pure organic coconut water can still range from approximately 9-24g net carbs. The variation in the carb content is due to the type of coconut and the soil it grew in, but it seems the average cup of coconut water without any additives contains about 15g net carbs. 

Since the daily carb limit for those on the keto diet ranges from about 20-50g, the answer to is coconut water ketogenic is that it is not safe to consume regularly or in large portions for those striving to maintain ketosis. 

Although a few sips or even half of a cup would not be enough to break ketosis, it’s inadvisable to have a full bottle or cup of coconut water on the ketogenic diet. Moderation is key here and one must be extra cautious not to exceed their daily total carb limit. 

Can Coconut Water Kick Someone Out of Ketosis?

To answer the inquiry “can coconut water kick someone out of ketosis”, yes coconut water could very easily knock someone out of ketosis if they’re not careful. With just one serving nearing or even meeting one’s daily limit of carbs, small servings are vital on the keto low carb diet. 

Note, however, that a few sips or half a serving would still be keto compliant.

Nutritional Value & Ingredients of Coconut Water

Now that we have established the carbs in pure organic coconut water, let’s move on to the ingredients of coconut water and its nutritional value. Each coconut can provide up to about 1 cup of coconut water, which includes many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants in each sip. 

The following are approximate values as these can slightly vary depending on type of coconut. 

Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)

• 15g Net Carbs
• 0.5g Fat
• 1.7g Protein
• 45 Calories

Health Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water

After covering the topic is coconut water ketogenic, we will now move on to the next: is coconut water healthy?² Although even pure coconut water is not good for keto in large amounts, it is abundant in health benefits. 

• High Electrolyte Content: Calcium, magnesium, and potassium are all electrolytes found in coconut water; these can help with maintaining strong bones and muscles, improving heart health, increasing brain function, and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
• Lowers Blood Pressure: The high potassium levels in pure coconut water serve to reduce blood pressure; this can be very helpful for those with high blood pressure but those already on blood pressure medications should consult a doctor before drinking coconut water as it may actually lower blood pressure too much.
• May Aid in Prevention of Kidney Stones: Sufficient water and potassium intake are important for avoiding or preventing kidney stones; as coconut water is rich in potassium and is almost entirely water, coconut water is one of the best drinks for kidney stone prevention.
• Aids in Hydration: Low in calories and sodium, and at 94% water, pure coconut water has an amazing hydrating effect and the included vitamins, electrolytes, and nutrients make this a go to beverage for both hydrating and refueling.
• Supports Skin Health: Coconut water has impressive antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, both of which can support skin health and aid in decreasing wrinkles for more youthful skin. Someone who drinks coconut water regularly may also notice clearer skin and decreased acne.

Is Coconut Water Good for Relieving Keto Flu Symptoms?

Coconut water might not be the best choice for those curious about how to get skinny fast on the keto diet due to being rather high in carbs, but this drink can help relieve and reduce keto flu symptoms. 

The “keto flu” refers to a group of common symptoms experienced by many people starting the ketogenic diet and can include nausea, constipation, keto night sweats, headaches, irritability, fatigue, and intense sugar cravings. 

The vitamins and antioxidants may help somewhat relieve such symptoms, but hydration from coconut water will help ease these discomforts even more. Additionally, the subtle sweetness of coconut water can at least stave off sugar cravings to an extent. 

Nutritionist Weighs In: Is Coconut Water Ketogenic?

After consulting with a nutritionist to get their input on the question “is coconut water ketogenic”, we learned that coconut water is typically not acceptable on a ketogenic diet due to the sheer number of carbs. However, the nutritionist we consulted with says it depends because the serving size and daily carb allowance should be considered as well. 

To elaborate further, the nutritionist advised, “Coconut water is acceptable for consumption on the ketogenic diet, but only if these three conditions are met: first, that not more than 5-10% of a person’s daily caloric needs should be from carbohydrates; secondly, only one serving of coconut water maximum should be consumed per day as most of one’s daily carbs should come from whole foods; and lastly–the quality of the coconut water is important.

Only 100% pure coconut water is advised to ensure there are no hidden sugars or other non-ketogenic ingredients that could put one at risk of being kicked out of ketosis.” 

Note that, as a general rule, someone on the keto diet should try their best to stick to 70-80% of their daily caloric intake coming from fat, 10-20% coming from protein, and the final 5-10% from carbs. Therefore, those who would are on the lower range of carbs should be sure to avoid coconut water altogether or have a smaller amount to avoid breaking ketosis.

Factors That Influence Whether Coconut Water Should Be Consumed on Keto or Not

While coconut water is great for rehydrating, it’s not ideal for those wanting to learn how to lose belly fat overnight since it’s fairly high in carbs and low in both fat and protein, making it unfit for the ketogenic diet unless consumed in moderation or in very small amounts.³

Whether coconut water should be consumed on keto or not all comes down to the caveats laid out by the nutritionist that we quoted above: caloric allotment, small serving sizes, and quality of the coconut water. 

Since many coconut water brands and varieties try to sneak in added sugars, other sugary fruit juices, or artificial ingredients and preservatives, it would be wise to always check the nutrition label or ensure the can or bottle says “100% organic coconut water.” 

Source: Josiah Weiss from Unsplash⁷

The ketogenic diet is extremely popular and has proven weight loss impacts including quite promising long term effects of a ketogenic diet in obese patients, but foods and drinks high in carbs are unsuitable for this diet and anyone on it must pay close attention to their carb limits as just one seemingly minor slip up may kick you out of ketosis.⁴ 

According to a nutritionist, the answer to the question is coconut water ketogenic is: yes–if consumed in small amounts and only if it is 100% pure, organic coconut water. 

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