Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy

It may be an old wive's tale, but I've been told by many that I should try to drink fresh coconut water in the last month of pregnancy.

It is supposedly to help with the baby's complexion - some say for a "clean" and smooth complexion, whilst others say for fairer skin.

Some think that one should drink coconut water daily.. others say it's too cooling and one should drink it only twice a week. Others say one should drink it only during the last month of pregnancy, whilst some think one can start anytime in the last trimester.

Whatever it is, the consensus seems to be that coconut water does help with a baby's complexion.

I don't know how true that is, but I do know that coconut water is rich in nutrients.

Coconut water is one of the richest sources of electrolytes. It is high in chlorides, potassium, and magnesium and has a moderate amount of sugar, sodium and protein.

It is a natural isotonic beverage with similar levels of electrolytes as the human body. It helps in replenishing lost fluids and salts lost by the body naturally, thus can prevent dehydration and exhaustion in a tropical climate.

Coconut water is a natural diuretic and so increases the flow of urine, so it helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTI). It also improves intestinal function and promotes digestive health, thus helping with constipation, sluggish digestion and heartburn, common problems during pregnancy.

Coconut water contains high levels of lauric acid which is what is used by the body to make monolaurin -– a disease fighting fatty acid derivative. Hence, drinking coconut water can help strengthen one's immune system. (For lactating mums, coconut water helps too because the lauric acid will make the breastmilk even more nutritious for the baby)

It is also essentially fat free and has zero cholesterol. Some studies even suggest that it can have some effect on improving "good" cholesterol levels (HDL) in the body.

With all the above benefits, there is no reason why I wouldn't drink more coconut water.

Coconut water is easily available in Singapore. You can order it in most restaurants or food centres all around the island.

I like to drink it at home too and I find it more convenient to buy "cut" ones from the supermarket. These ones have a deep cut on their shell all around the top of the coconut. The coconut is still sealed because the flesh is not cut through. All you have to do before drinking is to use a little sharp knife to cut through the coconut flesh to get to the drink.