No evidence sprouted coconuts treat kidney disease

"Tips on Kidney Disease Cure," reads Malay-language text overlaid on an image of sprouted coconuts shared August 4, 2025 on Facebook.

The lengthy caption suggests preparing a natural remedy by drinking the juice of a sprouted coconut, also known as a coconut apple, for two weeks.

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Screenshot of the false Facebook post captured September 2, 2025, with a red X added by AFP

The folk remedy has repeatedly surfaced online, with posts dating back to 2018.

But medical experts told AFP there is no scientific evidence to support this purported treatment.

Dr Thurein Hlaing Win, country manager of the Myanmar healthcare website Hello Sayarwon, told AFP that while some kidney diseases -- such as acute kidney injury (AKI) -- can be reversed with proper medical intervention, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is irreversible (archived link). 

"In both cases, there are no credible studies that show coconut products can serve as a cure," he said August 31.

Dr Lily Mushahar, a consultant nephrologist at the Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban Hospital in Malaysia, told AFP that individuals with a kidney disease should refrain from consuming too much coconut water as it contains high levels of potassium (archived link).

"Very high potassium in the blood is dangerous and can cause heart rhythm instability," she said July 31.

The US National Kidney Foundation also warns against excess potassium consumption from foods such as coconuts (archived link).

"Eating too much potassium can be bad for your health if your kidney function is in decline," the group says on its website. "Limit potassium in your diet if your blood level is too high."

Both Thurein and Lily said proper medical management is essential to treating kidney disease, and relying on unproven remedies or unqualified sources can lead to harmful delays in treatment.

Thurein said a renal dietitian can develop a personalised eating plan, helping to maintain kidney function and overall health while controlling the intake of minerals such as potassium.

Lily added: "Individuals who have underlying kidney disease need to be on regular follow up with a qualified doctor or nephrologist for monitoring of blood and urine tests."

AFP found no other evidence that sprouted coconuts help treat kidney diseases.

AFP has previously fact-checked other posts promoting unproven remedies.