FACT CHECK: Does coconut water dissolve kidney stones?

CLAIM:

Coconut water can dissolve kidney stones, especially calcium oxalate stones, by weakening their crystalline structure through natural enzymes and citrate compounds. Drinking around one litre daily may help stones pass more easily and reduce painful episodes. 

FACT:

Current research does not prove that coconut water can dissolve kidney stones in humans. While some studies suggest it may support hydration and increase urinary citrate levels, which could help reduce stone formation risk, experts say the evidence is limited and coconut water should not replace proper medical treatment for kidney stones. 

In a viral reel posted by ‘HEALTH EVITY’ page, which has gained 4.18 lakh views, 11.6K likes, and 8,746 shares on Instagram, a claim about coconut water and kidney stones has caught users’ attention online.

In the reel, the page claims that “coconut water dissolves kidney stones,” particularly calcium oxalate stones, which are among the most common types of kidney stones. The post further states that scientists in the Philippines found that natural enzymes and citrate compounds in coconut water may interfere with the crystalline structure that holds these stones together.

According to the reel, this process could “weaken the structure” of kidney stones, helping reduce stone growth and making existing stones “easier to dissolve or pass through the urinary tract.” The post also claims that in patients with medium-sized kidney stones, drinking around one litre of coconut water daily was linked to “higher rates of stone dissolution or passage” compared to conventional treatment alone.

The reel further adds that participants reportedly experienced “fewer painful episodes,” suggesting smoother movement of stones through the urinary tract. While acknowledging that severe kidney stones may still require medical intervention, the post presents coconut water as a natural remedy that may support non-surgical management and promote kidney health.

Research: Does coconut water dissolve kidney stones? 

Current evidence suggests coconut water may support hydration and increase urinary citrate levels, which could help reduce the risk of stone formation. However, there is no strong clinical evidence proving that coconut water can dissolve kidney stones in humans, especially as a standalone treatment. 

A 2013 animal study explored the effect of coconut water on kidney stone formation in male Wistar rats. Researchers induced nephrolithiasis in rats using ethylene glycol, while another group received coconut water alongside the treatment. The study found that coconut water “inhibited crystal deposition in renal tissue as well as reduced the number of crystals in urine.” Researchers also observed protection against impaired kidney function and oxidative stress. Concluding the findings, the study stated that “coconut water could be a potential candidate for phytotherapy against urolithiasis.” However, the findings were limited to animal models and do not confirm that coconut water can dissolve kidney stones in humans.

Further research has focused more on coconut water’s effect on urinary composition rather than direct stone dissolution. A 2018 study involving healthy adult volunteers examined whether coconut water could influence urinary factors linked to kidney stone formation. Participants consumed two litres of either pure coconut water or tap water daily for four days, while researchers analysed their 24-hour urine samples.

The study found that coconut water consumption “significantly increased urinary citrate (29%), urinary potassium (130%), and urinary chloride (37%).” Citrate is considered beneficial because it may help reduce the formation of certain kidney stones, particularly calcium-based stones. However, the researchers did not study people with existing kidney stones, nor did the study demonstrate that coconut water could dissolve stones already present in the urinary tract. The study concluded that “coconut water consumption increases urinary potassium, chloride, and citrate in nonstone forming individuals.”

More recently, a 2023 study examined both fresh coconut water and naturally fermented coconut water for their potential anti-urolithiasis properties under laboratory conditions. Researchers noted that coconut water has traditionally been used for conditions including “kidney stones and urinary tract infections,” but added that its therapeutic role in urolithiasis remains largely unexplored.

In the study, researchers analysed antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-struvite crystal activity using in-vitro methods. They found that increasing concentrations of coconut water and fermented coconut water “decreased the number and size of struvite crystals that grew in the gel medium.” While fresh coconut water showed only a “marginal inhibitory effect” on crystal formation, fermented coconut water demonstrated stronger antioxidant and anti-uropathogenic properties. However, these findings were based on laboratory experiments rather than human clinical trials, meaning they cannot establish coconut water as a proven treatment for dissolving kidney stones.

What experts say

Dr (Col) Rajeev Sood, Chairman - Urology, Robotics and Renal Transplant at Manipal Hospitals Gurugram, said there is currently no strong clinical evidence proving that coconut water can dissolve kidney stones in humans. According to him, while coconut water may support hydration and could play a modest role in stone prevention, it should not be viewed as a standalone treatment for kidney stones.

Explaining the science behind the claim, he said the citrate and potassium present in coconut water may have a biologically plausible role in reducing stone formation, but added that “the clinical effect appears modest.” He stressed that patients should not replace proper medical evaluation or prescribed therapy with home remedies alone.

Dr Sood further cautioned that consuming large quantities of coconut water daily may not be suitable for everyone, particularly people with kidney disease or those prone to hyperkalemia, a condition involving high potassium levels in the blood.

He emphasised that the most evidence-based approach for kidney stone management still includes “high fluid intake, stone analysis, metabolic evaluation, diet modification, and targeted therapy depending on the type of stone.”

Dr Shashank M S, Consultant - Urology and Renal Transplant at Aster CMI Hospital, said that while some small studies have shown coconut water can increase urinary citrate and potassium levels, “this does not directly infer that stones are dissolved.”

He added that citrate may help by binding calcium in urine and reducing crystal formation, but noted that the effect is “not as impressive or easily regulated as medical potassium citrate treatment” used in recurrent stone patients.

“Consuming up to 1 litre (of coconut water) per day without medical supervision cannot be universally recommended. Specific patient groups should be managed on a case-to-case basis. Individual anatomical conditions, kidney function and diet should influence the management options utilised,” he emphasised. 

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS