The Hydrating Beverage That Can Help You Poop Instantly (And It Isn't Water)
If you've ever been to India or other parts of Southeast Asia, you've likely seen coconut water sellers by the roadside. They're a welcome sight when you're on a long trip, nursing a bad hangover, or if you're just plain parched. Although native to those regions, you can find coconut water (bottled and attractively packaged) in many stores across the U.S. as well. They might not be as authentic as consuming the water directly from a mature orange king coconut or the more commonly seen green tree nut, but they do the job.
In fact, people prefer consuming this slightly sweet and nutty beverage in place of more sugar-concentrated sports drinks when it comes to hydration. It contains a lot of the useful electrolytes found in sports drinks, like potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. It's a good source of nutrients, contains antioxidants, and is an ideal drink for when you're looking to replenish electrolytes after a round of exercise or even a bout of diarrhea.
Speaking of diarrhea, it turns out that drinking coconut water might also be a genius way to get yourself to poop instantly.
What are the nutrients in coconut water that promote pooping?
The internet is obsessed with poop tricks, which is why we tried the DIY squatty potty to poop instantly. Anything natural that has a laxative effect is seemingly popular.
Although it's not officially marketed as a laxative, coconut water contains the osmotic laxatives magnesium and potassium. These minerals work by pulling water to your stools, making them soft and bulky, and promoting easier bowel movement. It's definitely something to try if you're having constipation; it might even beat TikTok's spicy orange hack to poop in minutes (hint: it wasn't pretty). Additionally, being hydrated with refreshing beverages like water and coconut water can also help your poop move through your digestive system easily. In fact, dehydration is among the common causes of chronic constipation.
"[Coconut water] is rich in nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants to help with dehydration and constipation," explained Dr. Peyton Berookim, a digestive specialist at the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California (via Prevention). That being said, there is also such a thing as too much coconut water and corresponding unexpected effects.
Too much coconut water may result in diarrhea
The same laxative properties of his hydrating beverage, when consumed in excess, can lead to diarrhea and other complications. For example, a 2014 case report published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, noted a severe case of bradyarrhythmia (an abnormally slow resting heart rate) brought on by excess potassium levels in a 42-year-old man's system after he'd apparently consumed eight 11-ounce bottles of coconut water during the day.
Additionally, while small servings might be tolerated by someone on a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet, consuming too much of it might result in digestive distress because of the concentrations of fructans and sorbitol. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) would have to tread with caution.
It is also important to read the labels of the commercially produced kind of coconut water. Added sugars and preservatives could also lead to diarrhea. If you really want to try coconut water the next time you're having poop troubles (constipation), look for the unsweetened and organic variety.