The liquid inside the tender coconut is considered more nutritious than all other natural energy drinks. With its refreshing, pure taste, you can directly consume the tender white flesh inside the coconut along with the water.
A go-to beverage that has natural positive and negative charges dissolved in it, adds more energy to your daily diet.
These can help to regulate your body’s chemical reaction. Unlike coconut milk, this is not rich in fat or high in calories.
Your physician may advise you to take at least 3 litres of water a day. Because it can directly influence your foetal development, which is surrounded safely by amniotic fluid.
However, consuming too much coconut water might have negative effects like elevated blood sugar and disrupted electrolyte balance, among others. For better alternatives, speak with your healthcare professional if you have a coconut water allergy.
Let us cover all the information you need to know about the side effects of coconut during pregnancy.
Side Effects of Coconut Water During Pregnancy
High Sugar Content
Many pregnant women may suffer from gestational diabetes, a dangerous and prevalent condition for which the cause is unknown. In that difficult time, they will monitor your blood sugar level regularly to avoid some pregnancy issues.
It’s crucial to pay attention to what you eat and drink throughout pregnancy because some women may develop diabetes without even realising it.
Even though coconut water contains a moderate amount of sugar, much less than sugary sodas, you should still speak with your doctor or other healthcare professional to be sure it’s appropriate for your health.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Tender coconut drink is a go-to beverage, which is packed with more electrolytes that charge your body after some strenuous exercises or heartburn.
Though the young green coconut water adds more nutrients, potassium, sodium, and manganese to your body, the excessive number of potassium leads to hyperkalemia, which can cause nausea, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat.
Having tender coconut water is quite refreshing and packed with nutrients to keep you feeling your best. If you’re sensitive to coconut or don’t feel comfortable consuming it, it’s perfectly fine to drink plain water instead. Nothing is wrong with that.
What matters most for you is staying hydrated, and water will still provide you with the hydration you and your baby need.
Low Caloric Value
Unlike coconut milk, it can be consumed directly from farm fresh. As it is easy to drink and has plenty of liquid in it. This liquid is full of nutrients but with moderate calories.
This is not a rich source of calories but is full of electrolytes. An 8-ounce serving of coconut water contains 40-50 calories, which is apt for a low-calorie diet.
Some sweeteners or preservatives may be added to local brands of man-made coconut water.
Avoid taking artificial ones and replace them with natural tender coconut that is bought from Mother Nature.
Allergic Reactions
Coconut water has the potential to cause allergic responses in a few people. However, these situations are quite uncommon. As can be seen in the following list, the severity of these reactions can range from mild to severe:
- Rashes or hives
- Itching
- Nasal congestion
- Skin rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness and Coughing
Diuretic Effect
When used to treat hypertension, coconut water can considerably drop blood pressure and cause frequent urination, underlining its possible diuretic characteristics while avoiding electrolyte imbalances.
Common side effects of diuretics:
- Urinating more than usual
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Gout
- Low potassium
- Muscle cramps
Risk of Stomach Upset
Too much coconut water consumed in a day may result in high potassium levels in your body, thus decreasing your blood pressure and leading to diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and sometimes results in premature delivery.
Is Coconut Water Safe for All Trimesters?
All pregnant women at any stage can consume coconut water but in limited quantity. But make up your mind to take at least one or two glasses of coconut water per day. Excessive intake may lead to dehydration and other issues like low blood pressure, diarrhoea, etc.
Moderation Tips for Consuming Coconut Water
Moderation is a key to balancing a healthy diet in your daily meal plan. You will not suffer from any other symptoms if you balance your diet with moderate nutrition, minerals, and other factors. Don’t indulge yourself in taking high amounts of coconut water which is not safe for your health. Only try to consume up to two glasses of coconut water in a day.
Recommended Daily Amount
The daily recommended quantity of coconut water is two glasses of water per day—more than that may cause severe health issues during pregnancy. Follow your health care provider’s advice and take a moderate level of coconut water that benefits your health, or else avoid it completely if you have any allergic reactions to coconut water.
Choosing Fresh Coconut Water Over Packaged Varieties
| S.No | Aspect | Fresh Coconut Water | Packaged Coconut Water |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Nutritional Value
|
Retains full nutrients and natural properties.
|
May lose nutrients due to pasteurisation. |
|
2
|
Taste
|
Fresh and natural flavour. |
Altered taste due to preservatives or flavourings. |
|
3
|
Additives
|
Free from additives or preservatives.
|
May contain sugars, stabilisers, or artificial flavours.
|
|
4
|
Shelf Life
|
Short, needs to be consumed quickly.
|
Extended shelf life through treatment. |
|
5
|
Processing
|
No processing; straight from the source.
|
Undergoes pasteurisation and packaging. |
|
6
|
Health Benefits
|
Pure and wholesome benefits.
|
Reduced due to processing and additives. |
|
7
|
Convenience
|
Requires effort to source and open.
|
Easy to find and consume. |
Conclusion
A cool, calorie-conscious beverage that’s great for rehydrating is coconut water. Rich in minerals and electrolytes, it promotes bone health and lessens post-exercise muscular cramping. Despite having less salt than conventional sports drinks, many people choose it as a natural substitute for sports drinks after vigorous workouts. Although most individuals can safely consume it in excess, people with certain medical problems, such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, may be in danger.
FAQs
Yes. It is 100% completely safe to drink coconut water during all trimesters. In early pregnancy, if you are suffering from morning sickness, nausea, or vomiting, it supports you greatly by providing the required amount of electrolytes and energy to your body.
Excessive intake of coconut water may cause high sugar levels in pregnant women. Women who have gestational diabetes must avoid taking coconut water regularly.
No. It is not possible to experience overhydration from coconut water, but excessive intake may cause other side effects like high blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, etc.
Yes. Drinking too much coconut water leads to digestive problems in pregnancy. It may upset your stomach or cause diarrhoea, which leads to preterm birth and dehydration.
Yes. Coconut water can interact with some medications during pregnancy, such as blood pressure medications as well as diabetes medications.
