Coconut water is a widely used byproduct of coconut which is one of the best fruit for keto diet. Like coconut, its most popular byproduct or coconut water is highly nutritious.
People drink this self-complete fruit juice without added sugar. But is coconut water good for pregnancy? What are the benefits of coconut water during pregnancy?
Well, there are numerous health benefits of coconut water in pregnancy. Coconut water is a rich source of essential nutrients, which aids in pregnancy health benefits.
Let’s check the detailed analysis of coconut water benefits in pregnancy.
Benefits of Coconut Water in Pregnancy
May Lower Blood Pressure
Coconut water is a rich source of potassium. Intake of high potassium foods is able to reduce high blood pressure. It is applicable for both people with normal blood pressure and high blood pressure (1).
Furthermore, coconut water is one of the best carb-restricted foods. According to studies, a carb-restricted diet is able to reduce blood pressure (2).
Also, essential macromineral like calcium is present in coconut water. Consumption of calcium can reduce the risk of hypertension in pregnancy (3).
That’s why the combination of low carb with calcium and potassium of coconut water may aid in reducing blood pressure for pregnant women.
Maintain Skin Health
The essential nutrients of coconut water may help to maintain skin health during pregnancy.
Coconut water is a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is able to provide multiple health benefits like (4)
- Dark spot reduction
- Improving skin hydration and thickness
- Removal of toxins from the skin
- Slowing down skin aging
- Increasing skin hydration and healing rate
Furthermore, coconut water contains more than 90 percent of water. Water is a well-known skin hydration component.
Type 2 Diabetes Benefits
Coconut water may be beneficial for pregnant women, especially those who are obese or suffering from type 2 diabetes. It’s because of the low carb components of coconut water.
Low carb foods provide an antihyperglycemic effect, which is beneficial for the management of obese patients with type 2 diabetes. According to studies, the low carb elements have a long-lasting effect on body weight and glycemic control (5).
Also, the high potassium density of coconut water may prevent the occurrence of diabetes during pregnancy.
May Aid in Heart Health
Coconut water is a great source of potassium. Potassium has a direct effect on the reduction of blood pressure and management of the cardiovascular system.
Because of these two factors, high consumption of potassium can reduce the cardiovascular mortality rate. Also, increased potassium consumption may reduce the risk of lethal ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ischaemic heart disease.
Maintenance of Body Fluids
Coconut water contains macrominerals like potassium, sodium, and magnesium. All of these act as electrolytes. Electrolytes are used for centuries to maintain a proper body fluid level.
Because of this regular consumption of coconut water may be able to maintain the body fluid level. Furthermore, together with sodium, potassium is able to regulate the blood plasma and extracellular fluid volume.
Additional Benefits of Coconut Water During Pregnancy
The rich nutrient profile of coconut water is also able to provide more health benefits during pregnancy. It’s because coconut water contains nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, etc.
All of these micronutrients provide multiple health benefits. Pregnant women may acquire the following health benefits from drinking coconut water.
Vitamin C Benefits (6, 7, 8)
- Protects the body against damage caused by the free radicals
- Scurvy prevention
- Boosting innate and adaptive immune system
- Excess intake have benefits over breast cancer
Potassium Benefits
A high intake of potassium may protect against chronic kidney disease development in hypertensive patients with mildly decreased kidney function (9).
Furthermore, potassium is able to provide the following health benefits (10)
- Prevent or slow the progression of renal disease
- Urinary calcium excretion reduction
- Management of hypercalciuria and kidney stones
- Osteoporosis risk reduction
Magnesium Benefits
Coconut water contains a little amount of magnesium also. Dietary magnesium intake is able to provide the following health benefits. Pregnant women may achieve these benefits from the magnesium component of coconut water.
Dietary magnesium intake has an inverse relationship with the following health problems (11).
- Hyperglycemia
- Dyslipidemia
- Hypertension
- Inflammation
- Insulin resistance
- Cardiovascular disease
