Coconut water is a fat free, healthy and refreshing drink that helps to keep the body hydrated by replenishing natural salts that we lose when we perspire. This wonderful drink, packed with many benefits, can be taken directly or mixed with other drinks.
Drinking coconut water during pregnancy is really beneficial for the health of both mother and child. So, what are the benefits of this coconut water?
1. Improves Kidney Functions
Coconut water acts as a diuretic, which helps to increase the production of urine due to its magnesium, potassium and mineral contents. These are vital to pregnancy. Coconut water increases the flow of urine, which keeps the urinary tract clean. This helps to maintain the health of the kidney and prevent kidney stones, urinary tract infections and kidney infections.
2. Provides Essential Electrolytes
Coconut water supplies the body with electrolytes that are needed to keep the body hydrated during morning sickness. These electrolytes are usually lost through severe vomiting, strenuous exercise or diarrhea.
This also keeps your muscles functioning really well, and these nutrients includes calcium, potassium and phosphorous, which carry about electrical charge in the body.
3. Helps to Combat Exhaustion and Dehydration
Coconut water is a refreshing and light drink that is rich in electrolytic content. It is normal for pregnant women to experience exhaustion and dehydration. Therefore, it is essential for them to consume this drink because it soothes and helps to energize.
It is also an ideal drink for treating diarrhea attacks as it refuels the body with essential nutrients. Proper hydration increases the skin elasticity and reduces stretch marks that occur during pregnancy.
4. Prevents Heartburn and Constipation
Drinking coconut water can help to improve digestion, strengthen the digestive system, prevent constipation and maintain and regulate pH levels, which improve metabolism and detoxifies the body. As a natural acid neutralizer, coconut water also soothes and prevents heartburn during pregnancy.
5. Helps to Fight Infections
Coconut water is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential minerals that help to boost the immune system and thereby protect the mother and child from diseases. It contains lauric acid, which is responsible for the production of a disease-fighting acid called “monolaurin” that prevents illnesses like flu and HIV among others.
6. Good for the Heart
A disproportionate level of electrolytes can result in high blood pressure. Coconut water contains potassium and magnesium, which help to keep blood pressure levels in check.
Potassium also helps to balance out the level of sodium in your blood and keeps the body functioning properly.
7. Promotes Weight Loss
Coconut water contains zero cholesterol which helps to increase good cholesterols in the body and slowly eradicates the bad cholesterols, thereby preventing the accumulation of excess fat cells by keeping the body hydrated. This makes it an awesome replacement for any other sugar-sweetened drinks, and enables the mother and child to keep fit and maintain a healthy body.
8. Rich in Nutrients and Aids Digestion
Coconut water contains five essential electrolytes: calcium, magnesium, sodium and phosphorous. Due to its unique combination, coconut water can be enjoyed by pregnant women without harming their unborn child.
Coconut water also aids in the prevention of indigestion because of its high content of fiber, which provides a source of relief.
How much coconut water should be consumed?
When drinking coconut water moderation is the key. This drink can be enjoyed alone or taken with other drinks, but there is really no rule on how it should be taken.
When searching for the perfect fresh coconut to enjoy, be sure to stay away from the ones with a hard brown shell as this shows that it is mature. Look for those that are green as they contain bigger quantities of coconut water.
There are many other benefits of drinking coconut water, but here are important things to bear in mind:
- Do not drink coconut water if you dislike the taste or react to it.
- Make sure to drink coconut as soon the coconut is cut as that is when it is rich in nutrients and fresh. Drink it in a clean glass cup or with a straw.
- Make sure to pick young fresh green coconuts that are cut in front of you.
You now know the benefits of drinking coconut water and I hope you enjoyed what you read. Let us know what you think.
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