How Is Coconut Water Useful During Pregnancy?
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One of the oldest natural, tropical refreshers known to mankind is coconut water. This drink is packed with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and has the same electrolytic balance as blood. It is thus, not only a healthy and sterile beverage but an energy booster and an instant solution for fatigue and dehydration too.
Is Coconut Water Good During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women often suffer from exhaustion and dehydration. This results from sudden and rapid bodily changes, increase in stress while performing daily activities, rise in water requirements due to high water absorption and the needs of the developing foetus. Proper hydration helps to reduce the discomfort that occurs during pregnancy among expectant mothers. Coconut water is the ideal, nutritional, healthy oral rehydrating solution that is a must-have for pregnant women.
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Benefits Of Coconut Water During Pregnancy
Some of the many benefits that can be derived by the mother on consuming this refreshing, healthy drink are:
1. Strengthens Immunity
The presence of antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals in young and unripe coconuts helps to boost the immune system of the body (1). Hence, drinking coconut water during pregnancy helps to protect the mother and child against the attack of diseases. It also improves the mother’s general health.
2. Fights Infections
The presence of high levels of lauric acid is responsible for the proper production of the disease-fighting fatty acid derivative called monolaurin, in the body. This renders antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties to it. Hence, this natural, sterile drink is safe for consumption during pregnancy; it helps in strengthening the immune system, and fighting and preventing infectious illnesses like flu, HIV etc.
3. Treats Constipation and Heartburn
Digestive problems are a common health issue faced by pregnant women. Drinking coconut water can help clean the system properly and improve digestion, strengthen the digestive system, treat and prevent constipation and heartburn effectively. It helps to detoxify the body, maintain and regulate the pH levels, prevent acidity, improve metabolism, cure nausea and vomiting tendency and also reduce pain (2).
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4. Natural Diuretic
This is a natural diuretic which helps to control the uric acid levels in the body, which is also very vital during pregnancy. It increases the flow of urine that is essential in keeping the urinary tract clean. It prevents Urinary Tract Infections or UTI and curbs the chances of premature labor. This also helps to maintain the health of the kidney and avoids the occurrence of kidney stones and infections (3).
5. Prevents Dehydration and Exhaustion
Coconut water is a light and refreshing drink and a natural isotonic beverage with rich electrolyte content. This helps to soothe and energize pregnant women who regularly experience fatigue, dehydration and exhaustion. It is an oral form of rehydration and is helpful in treating diarrheal attacks. Proper hydration also increases the elasticity of the skin which helps to limit stretch marks that occur during pregnancy (4).
6. Accelerates Proper Growth of The Unborn Baby
Consumption of coconut water provides all the vital nutrients to the mother, required for improving and maintaining her health, and for keeping diseases at bay. These further ensure the health and well being, proper nourishment and growth of her unborn child.
7. Improves Blood Circulation and Controls Sugar Levels
Packed with Vitamin C, essential proteins, magnesium and potassium, this natural drink, with its high antioxidant and nutrient content, helps to increase the level of good cholesterol in the body (5). Thus, it helps to regulate and control cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels in the body and also improves blood circulation. It also reduces the chances of hypertension and strokes in the mother.
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8. Ensures A Fit Body and Promotes Fat Control
Zero cholesterol and fat content of coconut water help to reduce the bad and increase the good cholesterol levels in the body. It also helps prevent the accumulation of unhealthy, excess fat cells. Thus, it helps to regulate the cholesterol and fat levels of the body, preventing and reducing excess body fat and helping the mother to maintain a healthy and fit body effectively (6).
