Exploring the Nutritional Value of Coconut Water for Expecting Moms

Being pregnant is a magical phase in a woman’s life, where she flutters with excitement with the feel of every kick and sound of the musical heartbeat. Her anticipation grows as her lovely bundle of joy grows inside her beautiful bump.

She is always on tenterhooks to eat nutritious food supporting her baby’s development. She goes on a Google search frenzy, checking ingredients, their nutritional value, and adverse effects if any, for any dish or snack she decides to eat. If that is not enough to make her anxious, her circle of loved ones starts overwhelming her with endless advice on drinking more and more water and what she should or shouldn’t consume. And to fan the flames, the crazy food cravings, from paani puri to a specific flavor of ice cream or dessert, thanks to the extreme hormonal changes, making this journey bumpy at times.

Fret no more glowing mommies-to-be and continue to read as we share with you the benefits of having coconut in pregnancy first trimester that will not only help keep your body hydrated but also provide essential nutrients vital for your sweet pea’s growth.

The Power of Coconut Water During Pregnancy

Eating a healthy diet, accompanied by drinking lots of fluids is essential during pregnancy and will help your little precious one develop and grow perfectly inside you.

You do not need to go on a special diet, but it's important to eat a variety of different foods and drink fluids every day to get the right balance and dose of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that you and your baby need. There are also innumerable benefits of eating coconut during pregnancy.

An expectant mom should drink close to 2.5 liters of water every day to maintain the ideal amniotic fluid level, improve digestion, and help her little love to absorb all the vital nutrients from her body for his/her growth. Drinking so much plain water at times may seem like a task. Hence, you may have coconut water. There are many benefits of drinking coconut water in 9th month of pregnancy, it is the best, most refreshing, and most natural alternative to water.

A glass of coconut water is an elixir concoction of vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, and electrolytes all of which are essential nutrients, for your health and your baby’s.

Benefits of Coconut Water for Pregnant Women

Introducing this revitalizing beverage in your daily dietary plan has a lot of benefits because of its nutritional value. Being low on calories and with no cholesterol, this natural soothing beverage should be your preferred choice over caffeinated drinks or sodas, to get that extra dose of energy.     

Now let’s delve further and take a look at the benefits of coconut in pregnancy first trimester.

1)    Best hydrating option in town

Feeling parched, look no further, coconut water is to your rescue. With 95% pure water, this beverage is your best option to quench your thirst along with a booster dose of nutrients. It not only hydrates your body but also improves your skin’s elasticity, reducing the appearance of unwanted stretch marks. Choosing coconut water during pregnancy third trimester over other energy beverages reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes.     

2)    Antidote to lost fluids

Morning sickness has knocked your socks off, therefore there are benefits of coconut water in empty stomach. Drink a glass of coconut water and let its five essential electrolytes- calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, stabilize your system, and replenish your body’s lost fluids, and help regain the salt and sugar levels.

3)    Eases acid reflux  

As the miracle continues to grow inside you, your baby bump grows and progesterone relaxes stomach valves, making gastric juice bubble up into your esophagus, causing discomfort and those dreaded sour burps. Sipping coconut water in first trimester has given expectant mommies relief from the unpleasant bout of acid reflux.

4)    Essential for fetal development

Your gynecologist would have briefed you on how essential vitamins and minerals are for fetal development and may have prescribed you some prenatal vitamins as well. Well, add coconut water to your list as it is a good source of nutrients and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Some nutritionists have gone ahead and stated that a glass of coconut water has more potassium than a banana. 

5)    Helps stabilize blood pressure

As the pregnancy progresses, some women have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or preeclampsia due to the increased blood volume. Drinking a glass of coconut water daily in the third trimester helps manage it. The potassium in it helps to regulate the blood flow, increases good cholesterol, and improves the overall health of the heart.

6)    Improves the amniotic fluid index

Many Gynecologists have prescribed their patients to drink a glass of coconut water daily during the third trimester, especially if they have a low amniotic fluid index (AFI) as it helps increase it naturally.

7)    Alleviates joint pain

During pregnancy your body goes through a complete physical transformation, the weight gain can make your joints and muscles sore and cause discomfort. Magnesium, an ingredient in coconut water, helps to soothe your nerves and may help give comfort from muscle and joint aches.

8)    Becomes your protective shield

Filled with the goodness of nature and essential vitamins, electrolytes, and antioxidants, coconut water improves kidney function and becomes a great Suraksha Kavach (protective shield) that enhances an expectant mother’s immunity and safeguards her from weather changing ailments and urinary tract infections.

For active mommies-to-be, coconut is a great exercise drink too. To get the most out of its rich nutrients, it is best to drink it when it is fresh; right after it has been cut. Avoid bottled or canned coconut water as manufacturers may add sweeteners or preservatives, which may lead to weight gain and cause blood sugar issues.

Conclusion

Coconut water is a refreshing beverage, brimming with rich nutrients, which help strengthen the immune system and contribute to the overall health of an expectant mom and her previous baby growing inside her. It is recommended to drink coconut water during pregnancy in moderate quantities and should not be considered as a replacement for clean filtered water or a balanced diet. So enjoy the journey of carrying a life within you, filled with the melodies of precious heartbeats and a miracle waiting to unfold, with the nutritional benefits of coconut water, your companion to a healthy baby and you.  

Additionally, for moms-to-be, The Mom Store has a great collection of maternity wear, you may visit the vast collection and pick some of your favorite choices.

FAQs on Coconut Water for Pregnant Women

Q. Can I drink cold water during pregnancy?

To reap the benefits of the naturally rich ingredients of coconut water, it is best to consume at a normal temperature right after it has been cut. Though refrigeration does not significantly affect the nutritional value of the coconut water, but could lead to a change in taste and texture.

Q. Which time is best to drink coconut water in pregnancy?

Drinking coconut water throughout the pregnancy is extremely beneficial for the health of the expectant mother and baby. It helps to boost immunity, deal with morning sickness, maintain blood sugar levels, alleviate muscle and soreness, and increase amniotic fluid levels.    

Q. Is coconut healthy for pregnancy?

Consuming coconut water during pregnancy is very beneficial. It is a natural source of 95% pure water, filled with a richness of essential minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes all contributing to a healthy pregnancy journey. There is substantial evidence

Q. Is it safe to drink coconut water during pregnancy

Yes, it is safe to consume coconut water during pregnancy. Many gynecologists have recommended their patients drink a glass of coconut water in the third trimester to increase the amniotic fluid index.