Coconut water is a delicious and refreshing drink many love, especially during the warm summer months. It can re-energize and hydrate the body and is rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can help support a healthy pregnancy.
Still, now that you’ve got a bun in the oven, it’s understandable that you might be a bit more cautious about your food and drink choices. That’s why we’re here to talk about whether or not it’s safe to consume coconut water during pregnancy.
To get straight to the point, the answer is: yes!
Coconut water is safe to consume while pregnant. And even better, it has many benefits for both mom and baby. But, as with many foods during pregnancy, there are two fundamental rules to keep when consuming coconut water.
First, not all coconut water is created equal. When purchasing coconut water, keep in mind the sugar content. Some brands do choose to put in added sugars. It’s ideal to opt for a version that is free from or lower in added sugar. The front of the packaging can be tricky; we recommend reading through the label and ingredients.
Second, coconut water should only be consumed in moderation and not replace your regular water intake. Use caution when drinking coconut water if you suffer from kidney disease because young coconut water is rich in potassium and may worsen symptoms or cause side effects. Coconut water is best to consume in moderation during pregnancy, paired with other hydrating beverage choices!
Now, let’s go over the benefits of coconut water and why you should add this revitalizing drink to your pregnancy shopping list today!
10 Benefits Of Coconut Water For Pregnancy
It’s a healthy alternative to water.
Are you tired of plain old water? Rather than grabbing a sugar-filled energy drink or soda, change it up with some coconut water. While coconut water is not a replacement for regular water, it can serve as a healthy alternative when your taste buds are craving something new.
It helps maintain hydration.
As the name insinuates, coconut water is an excellent source of hydration and fluids. It’s made up of about 95% water. Plus, it contains nutrients like magnesium and a bit of sodium. These are especially important during electrolyte loss, like sweating, excessive vomiting, or diarrhea.
It provides extra electrolytes.
We mostly hear about electrolytes and hydration, but they have many more jobs. Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, including calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium. These electrolytes are essential minerals necessary for many bodily functions and promote the proper growth and development of baby.
It replenishes the body after morning sickness.
Morning sickness can take a real toll on the body. While this pregnancy symptom is most common in the first trimester, it can also extend into the second and third trimesters. Because vomiting rids the body of valuable nutrients, finding ways to help replenish the body after “morning sickness” hits is essential.
Coconut water in moderation is not only generally easy and calming on the stomach, but it also replenishes the body with essential minerals and electrolytes.
It replenishes the body after a workout/exercise.
Like after morning sickness, consuming coconut water post-workout or exercising (and even after delivery!) is a great way to replenish the body. It can replace the hydration you lost from sweat, give you the electrolytes you need to take on the rest of your day and provide a nutrient boost for recovery and fetal development. Not to mention replacing all the other nutrients mentioned in this blog.
It may help to reduce high blood pressure.
Coconut water contains about 600 mg of potassium per 1 cup serving. This nutrient plays an essential role in blood pressure regulation. It may also help to reduce the risk of preeclampsia. While coconut water is not a proven ‘treatment’ or guaranteed preventative measure for high blood pressure during pregnancy, it does play an essential role in blood pressure regulation.
It may relieve acid reflux.
Unfortunately, during pregnancy, heartburn is not an uncommon symptom. Increased progesterone, increased stomach acidity, increased pressure on your stomach from baby, and decreased digestion time contribute to heartburn or reflux in pregnancy.
While there isn’t much proof to back it up, many women believe that a glass of coconut water is the perfect remedy for acid reflux. Are you dealing with heartburn or reflux? Give it a try!
It may relieve constipation.
One of the many ways the magnesium in coconut water benefits the body is that it supports the digestive system. Because it provides both fluids and magnesium, coconut water may help to reduce constipation, soothe an upset stomach, and help keep expecting mothers a bit more regular.
It supports healthy weight gain.
Depending on the brand, coconut water contains less sugar than most other energy or sports drinks on the market. Plus, it contains nutrients that aid digestion and provide health benefits to mom and baby. Coconut water can be a good swap for less nutrient-dense drinks and can help maintain a healthy weight gain throughout pregnancy.
It promotes proper fetal development.
Drinking coconut water during pregnancy can contribute to proper fetal development. This drink’s vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – calcium, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, and more – are necessary for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Remember that coconut water does not replace a well-rounded diet or plain water rich in these nutrients. Instead, fresh coconut water is one good addition to your pregnancy diet if you enjoy it!
Add coconut water to your pregnancy shopping list today!
Coconut water is not essential for a healthy pregnancy. However, if you enjoy coconut water, it can provide many benefits that extend to both mother and baby during pregnancy. So, coconut water is an excellent option if you’re looking for a healthy beverage that’s safe to consume during pregnancy!
While the side effects of too much coconut water are few, it’s always a good idea to consume in moderation and incorporate other sources of fluids + hydration into your pregnancy diet.
For more blogs like this one, head to The Prenatal Nutritionist Blog. Better yet, for access to exclusive information and the answers to all your frequently asked pregnancy nutrition questions, sign up for The Prenatal Nutrition Library today. You can even download our app to keep all that valuable information at your fingertips.
As always, we encourage you to drop any questions or comments you may have below!
