Coconut water has a background of traditional use in various cultures as a natural remedy for kidney stones, but in recent years, some scientific studies have begun to investigate its potential benefits. The primary rationale is that coconut water may help increase urine output and contains compounds that could reduce the formation of crystals that cause kidney stones. A small number of animal studies, such as a 2013 study published in the journal Urological Research, have demonstrated that rats treated with coconut water had fewer and smaller kidney stones compared to controls. The proposed mechanisms include dilution of urine, reduced crystal aggregation, and increased excretion of potassium, chloride, and citrate, which are believed to inhibit stone formation.

However, human clinical data remains very limited. Most available evidence is either in vitro or from animal models, and the sample sizes are small. There is also a lack of robust randomized controlled trials in humans that would more definitively establish coconut water’s efficacy for prevention or treatment of kidney stones. As such, while there is some preliminary scientific support, it is not strong or conclusive, and coconut water should not be relied upon as a primary therapy. Increasing fluid intake in general is a well-established preventative strategy for kidney stones, and coconut water may be one palatable option among many.