Table of contents:
- Benefits of young coconut water for pregnant women
- 1. Prevent dehydration
- 2. Reducing nausea and vomiting
- 3. Improve fetal development
- 4. Prevent urinary tract infections
- 5. Helps increase immunity
- 6. Lowering blood pressure
- 7. Low in fat and calories
Do you often hear or get suggestions to drink coconut water while pregnant? Apart from the myths of pregnant women about coconut water, this drink actually has good benefits for pregnancy. Then, what are the benefits of coconut water for pregnant women?
Benefits of young coconut water for pregnant women
Apart from its fresh taste, coconut water is often referred to as a drink that is beneficial to the body. Is that right?
Quoted from the Indonesian Food Composition Data, from 100 ml of young coconut water, contains:
- Energy: 17 cal
- Carbs: 3.8 grams
- Calcium: 15 mg
- Potassium: 149 mg
- Phosphorus: 8 mg
- Vitamin C: 1 mg
Coconut water also contains high levels of electrolytes which help fulfill the nutrients your body needs.
Coconut water is also believed to have various benefits for pregnant women, including:
1. Prevent dehydration
About 95 percent of the content in coconut water is pure water which can prevent dehydration and can reduce fatigue and weakness.
Young coconut water plays a role in replacing electrolyte levels that are lost in the body due to sweating.
The electrolyte balance in young coconut water is the same as that found in the body. However, plain water is still the best for hydrating the body.
2. Reducing nausea and vomiting
Apart from preventing dehydration, young coconut water also has benefits for reducing nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) in pregnant women.
In a study published in the Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development, young coconut water can help maintain pH levels in the body.
This allows coconut water to regulate acidity in the stomach, reduce nausea, and increase metabolism.
Coconut water also has the benefit of replacing the body fluids lost by pregnant women due to nausea and vomiting.
3. Improve fetal development
When pregnant, you need vitamins and minerals to support fetal development. You can get it in young coconut water which is high in vitamins and minerals.
In a journal published by Advanced Biomedical Research, the minerals contained in young coconut water have benefits for reducing the risk of low birth weight (LBW) and preeclampsia.
However, that does not mean that pregnant women only drink coconut water to get vitamins and minerals. You also need to eat healthy foods that are needed for the health of the fetus and mother.
4. Prevent urinary tract infections
Young coconut water is believed to prevent infections in the urinary tract. It is said that because young coconut water can help clean the urinary tract and bladder.
In addition, young coconut water is also believed to be able to improve kidney function and reduce high blood pressure.
The potassium content in young coconut water can reduce high blood pressure.
However, further research is needed to prove this.
5. Helps increase immunity
The content of antioxidants, as well as vitamins and minerals in young coconut water, makes young coconut water boost immunity.
The antioxidants in coconut water have benefits to protect pregnant women and fetuses from various diseases.
The high content of lauric acid in young coconut water also produces monolaurin (which is antiviral and antibacterial) in the body.
This lauric acid content also helps boost immunity and helps fight disease.
Apart from young coconut water, lauric acid content is also found in coconut oil.
6. Lowering blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy, coconut water can help lower it. However, if you have low blood pressure during pregnancy, avoid drinking coconut water.
Research published in the National Library of Medicine shows that drinking coconut water for two weeks can reduce blood pressure in 71 respondents.
However, this drink cannot be a substitute for high blood pressure or preeclampsia medications. Consult with your doctor to get a drug that is suitable for your condition.
7. Low in fat and calories
If you are gaining excess weight, try drinking coconut water regularly.
Young coconut water contains few calories and is fat free so it has benefits for maintaining a pregnant woman's weight.
Young coconut water is the right choice for pregnant women who want to drink fresh drinks compared to packaged tea, coffee, and soda drinks.
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