High on electrolytes, potassium, Vitamin C, protein, sodium and dietary fibre, the benefits of coconut water are aplenty and it is an expecting mother’s best friend during the nine months of 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 with an abundant amount of micro minerals. Since coconut water is zero-calorie, it will keep mums fit and the baby develops healthily. Some Asian mums feel that coconut water might be too “cooling,” and only drink it during the last trimester.
Many Asian pregnant mums take to coconut water in the third trimester because they believe it helps to “clean” the baby. The rationale is that the amount of vernix caseosa is reduced when the baby is born.
Benefits Of Coconut Water: Why Its Important To Consume It During Pregnancy
Whether you follow traditional beliefs or scientific facts, read on to discover the many benefits of coconut water for pregnant women!
Boosts Immunity Of The Body
One of the foremost benefits of coconut water is its immunity-boosting power. Since coconut water has less sugar as well as 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 contains high levels of lauric acid that is responsible for generating disease-fighting fatty acid in the body called monolaurin. This in turn has antibacterial, anti-fungal 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 mums usually go with one coconut a day, but it also depends on the individual body’s constitution. When it comes to food and drinks, always go with the rule of moderation.
Controls Sugar And Improves Blood Circulation
The 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 sometimes cause preeclampsia in a pregnant mother.
Regular consumption of coconut water also helps pregnant women reduce the chances of having a stroke or hypertension.
Ensures A Fit Body And Controls Fat
Coconut water has no calories and helps to reduce cholesterol levels, which makes it 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 even soft drinks.
It can also prevent the accumulation of fat cells and regulate cholesterol, as well as reduce excess fat levels in the body. Thereby making coconut water one of the best substitutes for sports energy drinks.
If you are planning to continue with your daily exercising routines, 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 are found to be at similar levels as 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, diarrhoea and stomach flu.
Therefore, it’s an excellent source of energy, especially for pregnant women. Coconut water has high levels of electrolytes that keep you hydrated and energised for longer periods.
If you plan to keep working till the very end of your pregnancy, it will be a good idea to include coconut water in your regular diet. Also, increase the intake of coconut water if you regularly feel dehydrated during your pregnancy.
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.
Coconut water can regulate pH levels in the body, which makes it an effective drink to help with stomach-related problems. This prevents acidity, improves metabolism, cures nausea and reduces uneasiness caused these two problems.
Accelerates Growth Of The Foetus
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 also has the property to bring down blood sugar and high blood pressure. 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, keeping the body off any infection.
Therefore, coconut water prevents Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) as well as curbs any chance of preterm labour. It also maintains the kidney’s good health and avoids problems such as kidney stones or liver infections.
So if you thought that drinking coconut water is simply to refresh yourself, then think again. The benefits of coconut water make it one of the best beverages for a pregnant mother and her developing child. So why wait? Grab a glass and reap the benefits of this refreshing drink that’s great for sunny Singapore!
3 Ways To Add Coconut To Boost Immunity Of The Mum And Baby
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Not just coconut water but the coconut as a whole is a great immunity booster and all the more important in the pandemic era when you need natural immunity to fight against the coronavirus and its many mutated strains.
Not just coconut water but pregnant women can consume coconuts in many forms to suit their dietary restrictions or to suit their taste buds, which will keep you and your baby healthy and happy.
1. Cold-pressed Virgin Coconut Oil
It contains MCTs (Medium Chain Triglyceride Fats) that can be used by the liver as a cleanser. This is one of the healthiest saturated fats because the body is able to easily absorb it. Virgin coconut oil also helps in keeping the skin hydrated and can also be used to exfoliate dead skin cells.
Expecting mums should add cold-pressed virgin coconut oil to their food preparations and even baking. Coconut oil also contains monolaurin that functions as an antivirus and helps build a natural immunity from enveloped viruses.
2. Coconut Meat
The blood volume increases when you are expecting causing the feet and legs to swell. Poor blood circulation can make things worse. Consuming coconut meat helps improve blood circulation during pregnancy, which in turn will prevent swelling.
Traditional beliefs also suggest that mixing coconut meat with spices works as a great metabolic booster for pregnant women. While there are no scientific theories to back this, the addition of coconut meat to your diet will have no harm.
3. Coconut Milk
Expecting mums can also choose to consume coconut milk regularly. It contains good amounts of iron that helps in treating anaemia, along with improving digestion related problems. Coconut milk can also help manage your blood sugar and blood pressure levels and is a natural muscle relaxant.
With the weight gain during pregnancy, pregnant women tend to complain about joint pains. Coconut milk provides symptomatic relief from joint pains and scratching pains.
So pregnant mums, when do you plan to start drinking coconut water during your pregnancy?
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