Coconut water has been called “nature’s Gatorade” since the 1990s, but it actually has less sodium than sports drinks. That matters because before surgery, you want electrolyte balance, not a sodium spike. And did you know that a single coconut can hold up to one liter of water? That’s a lot of potential regret if you drink it at the wrong time.
In Brazil, street vendors sell fresh coconut water straight from the shell, often with a straw—pure joy in a green orb. But even in Rio, surgeons would tell you to save the experience for post-op. Your taste buds can wait a few hours.
