Coconut water

[Newstarter2016]

Can anyone please tell me if coconut water is good or bad for someone with ckd 3. Thank you.

[Bassetmommer]

HI Newstarter,

One cup of coconut water has 252 mg of sodium and 600 mg of potassium which is VERY high. The kidney has trouble eliminating potassium and sodium so when you drink this you are not doing anything good for your kidney. So no, it is not good for you.

kidneyhi.org/dietitian-blog...

[Newstarter2016 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hi Bassetmommer. Thank you so much for your prompt reply. Really helpful.

[TedHutch]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Coconut Water: An Unexpected Source of Urinary Citrate

Bear in mind this is a SMALL study (4 adult male and 4 adult female participants) without CKD.

However Davita tells us

davita.com/diet-nutrition/a...

5. Monitor your potassium levels.

Usually, potassium is not restricted in stage 3 CKD unless lab tests show potassium is too high. Your doctor may make medication changes or prescribe a low-potassium diet. Reduce an elevated potassium level by limiting some high-potassium foods and potassium chloride (found in salt substitute and many low-sodium processed foods), such as avocado, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, legumes, milk, nuts, potatoes, seeds, tomato products and yogurt.

[Newstarter2016 in reply to TedHutch]

TedHutch. Thanks very much for your help. getting some tests done in August so should know my numbers.

[Siamang]

My GP gave me instructions to avoid coconut water!

[Newstarter2016 in reply to Siamang]

Thanks Siamang

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Newstarter2016 and thank you for your post. You have received some helpful replies. The National Kidney Foundation website states that coconut water contains significant levels of potassium and sodium as well as other minerals. You should speak to your health care provider to determine how much potassium you should consume on a daily basis. This will depend on your weight, medications you are taking, how well your kidneys are functioning and your health history. If you have a potassium restriction you should avoid coconuts and coconut water. I hope this is helpful to you.

Thank you and best wishes

[Newstarter2016 in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thanks. I’ll have a proper look on the website

[BajanPatz]

I grew up eating coconut (in pastries, in cooked dishes, etc) and drinking fresh coconut water almost daily. I continued even after I was diaganosed with kidney disease (CKD4/5).

Interestingly, at one point when I was hospitalized my potassium level increased to a very high level - a time when coconut wasn't heard of that much, furthermore available on a hospital menu. To hear/read that coconut is a no-no for kidney patients makes me smile. (My philosophy is, people will believe in what they want to believe.)

Up to this day, being a kidney transplant patient for over 40 years, I still continue with the fresh coconut water and eat foods that consist of coconut. I do however limit my intake in eating and drinking.

I grew up hearing the older folks say "nothing in moderation hurts." It is my belief and I am a firm believer that eating/drinking anything in moderation does not do more damage. In my opinion, (although we are all different, it is about controlling our intake.

[Newstarter2016 in reply to BajanPatz]

Thanks for your information.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to BajanPatz]

I completely agree with that !!...I know that I feel better when I drink coconut water...like Bai....than when I just drink regular water...I am stage 4 (or so they say)..and my potassium levels are low...I just keep an eye on my labs and enjoy...we are what we believe we are..but everyone should speak to their Neph...mine says ..Go for it..!!