Can diabetics drink coconut water?

Summer means coconut water! But can you enjoy this refreshing drink if you are a diabetic?

Coconut water is considered a healthy drink being rich in electrolyte, potassium and other nutrients. Many people believe that it is a healthy drink for diabetics too, as coconut water is low in calories, devoid of any artificial sweetener and is high in fibre. However, according to Dr Pradeep Gadge, diabetologist, Shreya Diabetes Centre, Mumbai, Diabetics can have coconut water occasionally only if their sugar level is managed well. It is better they don t make it a daily indulgence. Remember, coconut water is sweet and it does raise one s sugar level, and that can be damaging for diabetics.

That said, we aren t telling you to quit coconut water just yet. It is better you ask your doctor or dietician whether coconut water is beneficial for you. There are many contradictory opinions about coconut water for diabetics and it is better that you don t fall prey to advise of quacks. Many think coconut water is healthy because it is natural, but there are contradictory opinions on this. We have patients who come to us and say that sugar level increases after consumption of this drink. In such case it is not advisable for every diabetic to consume coconut water regularly, points out Dr Gadge. So, it is better to make it an occasional indulgence if you are already struggling to keep your blood sugar under control.

In fact, if you are a diabetic and suffer from a chronic kidney condition it is better to stay away from coconut water, warns Dr Gadge. Coconut water is also rich in potassium, so if you suffer from kidney diseases or have any other condition that makes potassium levels rise in your blood, consumption of coconut water could be a disaster, he says.

While potassium is an essential nutrient which helps in various functions of the body including enhancing nerve health and keeping the heart healthy, an excess of it can lead to dangerous complications like irregular heart rhythm or even total kidney failure. With diabetic patients, whose kidney functions aren t up to the mark, drinking coconut water regularly can be fatal.

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