8 amazing benefits of coconut water during pregnancy

Benefits of Coconut Water During Pregnancy

High on electrolytes, potassium, vitamin C, protein, sodium and dietary fibre, coconut water is a mom-to-be's best friend during the nine months of her pregnancy. It will replenish the body and leave one feeling fresh and energetic.

For many pregnant women, drinking coconut water during the first trimester helps to counter morning sickness, constipation and heartburn. It can also reduce fluctuating blood pressure during the last trimester since it’s loaded with micro minerals. In addition, since it is zero calorie, it will keep her fit and her baby developing healthily. Some Asian moms feel that coconut water might be too "cooling", and only drink it during the last trimester.

During the third trimester, many Asian pregnant moms take to coconut water because they believe it helps to "clean" the baby, so that the amount of vernix caseosa is reduced when the baby is born. Traditional beliefs or scientific facts, discover the many benefits of coconut water for pregnant women!

Boosts immunity

One of the foremost benefits of coconut water is its immunity boosting power. Since coconut water has minimal sugar and sodium content and is rich in potassium, calcium and chloride, it hydrates, replenishes and rejuvenates the body.

Plus, because of the presence of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, a young and unripe coconut can boost your body’s ability to fight diseases better than a ripe coconut.

Water from this unripe and young coconut can also protect the mother and the developing child from illnesses and infections. It also improves the mother’s general health.

Fights infection

Coconut water is known to contain high levels of lauric acid. This acid is responsible for generating disease fighting fatty acid in the body called monolaurin. This in turn has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

Therefore, because of this sterile property, coconut water is the perfect drink during pregnancy.

It also strengthens the immune system and helps fight diseases such as the common flu.

Fights Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Making coconut water a part of your daily diet would help you maintain a healthy urinary system and prevent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The science behind this preventive property is that it helps cleanse the urinary tract and bladder.

So in case you are facing issues with internal cleaning of the body, reach out for a glass of refreshing coconut water. Pregnant moms usually go with one coconut a day, but it also depends on individual body's constitution. When it comes to food and drinks, always go with the rule of moderation.

Controls sugar and improves blood circulation

Interestingly, benefits of coconut water are not restricted to being a refreshing drink or fighting diseases. A glass of coconut water can also control your blood sugar levels and improve blood circulation.

The properties of vitamin C, proteins, magnesium, potassium make it high on antioxidants which increases the level of good cholesterol in the body. It also controls blood pressure levels which can sometime cause preeclampsia in a pregnant mother.

Coconut water is also known to reduce the chances of stroke and hypertension in pregnant women.

Helps fight fat and keep you fit!

Since coconut water has no calories and helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the body, it is a great health drink. In fact, many athletes swear by its energising and refreshing property. That’s because coconut water does not contain much sugar as compared to energy drinks or soft drinks.

It is also has the property to prevent the accumulation of fat cells and regulate cholesterol and reduce excess fat levels in the body. Thereby making coconut water one of the best substitutes of high calorie drinks.

Pregnant women are usually advised to consume coconut water because it also keeps them hydrated. If you are planning to continue with your daily exercising routines, we suggest you carry a bottle of coconut water as opposed to just plain water.

Prevents dehydration and exhaustion

The plasma content and electrolyte balance in coconut water is found to be similar to the human blood. How is that a benefit, you ask? Well, This property of coconut water makes it the best medicine to treat dehydration caused by diseases like dysentery, cholera, diarrhea and stomach flu.

Therefore, it’s an excellent source of energy, especially for pregnant women. If you plan to keep working till the very last day of your pregnancy, its best to be prepared with electrolyte boosting drinks such as coconut water. If you tend to feel exhausted more often than usual during your pregnancy, increase your intake of coconut water to overcome this problem.

Treats heartburn and constipation

Pregnant women often face several stomach related issues including constipation and heartburn. Drinking coconut water can solve both these problems. It improves digestion, strengthens the digestive system and prevents constipation and heartburn.

The reason behind it being an effective drink to help with stomach-related problems is its property of regulating pH levels in the body. This prevents acidity, improves metabolism, cures nausea and reduces uneasiness caused by these two problems.

Accelerates growth of the fetus

By now you must be thinking that coconut water seems to be a magic drink that solves all problems. But wait just yet. There’s more to this soothing drink. It can also accelerate the growth of your fetus. Yes, that’s right.

Coconut water provides essential nutrients to the mother that are required to keep her healthy, energetic and infection or disease-free. This in turns helps the developing fetus to grow efficiently.

Since coconut water also has the property to bring down blood sugar and high blood pressure in the mother, this positively affects the growth of the developing child and creates a healthy and sustainable growth environment for the fetus.

Natural Diuretic

One of the other lesser known benefits of coconut water is the fact that it is a natural diuretic. What this means is that coconut water is able to control the uric acid levels in the body. This is fairly important for a pregnant woman.

Keeping the uric acid in control ensures an increased flow of urine which keeps the urinary tract clean and thereby keeps infection away.

Therefore, coconut water prevents Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), curbing the chances of preterm labour. This refreshing drink also maintains good health of the kidney and avoids problems such as kidney stones or liver infections.

So if you thought that drinking coconut water is simply to refresh oneself, then think again. Benefits of coconut water make it one of best beverages for a pregnant mother and her developing child. So what’s the wait, grab a glass right away and reap in the benefits of this cool, refreshing drink.

Pregnant moms, when do you start drinking coconut water during your pregnancy? Do tell us in the Comment box below.

Republished with permission from: theAsianparent Singapore

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Written by

Deepshikha Punj

English