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Coconut water is a refreshing beverage that possesses distinctive nutritional, medicinal, and therapeutic properties. In some cultures, coconut water when breastfeeding is used as a galactagogue to increase breast milk production and supply. Perhaps that is why its use to treat ailments like dehydration is common in folk medicine (1).
However, this purported coconut benefit is still under research. Read on as we tell you more about the safety of coconut water for lactating women, its effect on breast milk supply, and possible health benefits this mild sweet liquid from tender green-colored drupe can offer breastfeeding mothers.
Is Coconut Water Safe During Breastfeeding?
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There is no clinical recommendation on the safety of coconut water use during breastfeeding (2). Lactation experts generally consider coconut water safe for healthy mothers with no severe medical conditions (3).
In contrast, breastfeeding mothers with health conditions, including high/low blood pressure, kidney problems, and recent surgery, are advised to avoid coconut water. If you have any health condition or are on some medication, then take your doctor’s advice before consuming coconut water.
How Much Coconut Water Can You Consume In A Day?
While there is no fixed amount of coconut water for lactating women, most breastfeeding women can safely consume one to two cups a day. However, a nutritionist can give an individualized recommendation based on your overall dietary intake.
Does Consuming Coconut Water Increase Breast Milk Supply?
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Coconut water has been traditionally used as a galactagogue in various parts of the world. According to lactation experts, a well-balanced diet with various beverages, including coconut water, may increase the breast milk supply (3). However, there are no clinical studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of coconut water in regulating breast milk supply.
Nevertheless, adding fresh coconut water to your breastfeeding diet can provide several benefits as they are rich in vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and phenolic acids that may support your postpartum recovery as well as hydrate you (4).
Quick tipNutritional Value Of Tender Coconut Water
A cup of tender coconut water (240 grams) provides carbohydrates, and essential nutrients, including potassium, sodium, and magnesium (5) (6). The following is the list of the significant nutrients found in tender coconut water, and the maternal recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of nutrients.
| Name | Amount | RDA during lactation |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 228g | – |
| Energy | 45.6Kcal | – |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.9g | – |
| Calcium, Ca | 57.6mg | 1000mg (19-50 years) |
| Magnesium, Mg | 60mg | 310mg (19-30 years) 320mg (31-50 years) |
| Phosphorus, P | 48mg | 700mg (19-50 years) |
| Potassium, K | 600mg | 2800mg AI* (19-50 years) |
| Sodium, Na | 252mg | 1500mg AI* (14-50 years) |
*AI = Adequate IntakeSources: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State UniversityNote:
Mature coconut water is nutritionally different from the tender coconut water.
Possible Health Benefits Of Tender Coconut Water When Breastfeeding
Fresh coconut water is a low-calorie beverage that may support your overall health when breastfeeding.
- Provides hydration: Tender coconut water has abundant water content and micronutrients that support hydration (1). It is an ideal replacement for high-sugar drinks, such as fruit juice, and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and soda.
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- Supports digestion: Consuming coconut water may help improve digestion and digestive health (7), due to the presence of lauric acid, which may aid in promoting the absorption processes (8).
- Supports immunity: Antioxidants and lauric acid in tender coconut water have shown, in research, to display antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant properties (4) (9).
- Benefits overall health: Research notes that coconut water has hypoglycemic (reduces excess blood sugar), antihypertensive (reduces high blood pressure), and hepatoprotective (liver protection) properties (8) (9) (10) due to the presence of amino acids and enzymes. It may also aid weight loss, as it is fat and cholesterol free.
- Helps reduce swelling: Coconut water works like a natural diuretic, increasing urine production. Animal studies show that when coconut water is part of a regular routine, it helps boost urine excretion. This aids in getting rid of ions, such as sodium and chloride. Unlike synthetic diuretic drugs, coconut water doesn’t interfere with calcium levels or the balance of acids and bases. That way, it lowers the chances of messing up the electrolyte balance. Moreover, coconut water can control liquid levels and cut the production of proteins in water reabsorption. This suggests coconut water’s diuretic effects are achieved by influencing key physiological pathways. So, coconut water could be a natural substitute for common diuretics (11).
Quick fact
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Note that most benefits of coconut water require further research, especially in the context of breastfeeding.
Precautions To Take While Consuming Coconut Water When Breastfeeding
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You may follow these precautions to ensure a safe intake of coconut water during the lactation period.
- If you have or had kidney problems or blood pressure-related issues, then speak to a doctor before consuming coconut water. If you had a C-section and are still recovering, then, too, consult the doctor.
- If you are on any medication or supplement, then take the doctor’s advice before consuming coconut water.
- Prefer fresh tender coconut water to packaged coconut water. Fresh coconut water is perishable and hence should not be kept at room temperature for more than two hours.
- If you need to buy packaged coconut water, buy from a reputable brand to ensure product quality.
- Check the packaging date of packaged coconut water, and the presence of any other ingredients, such as sugar and preservatives.
- Store an unopened pack of packaged coconut water in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Refrigerate an open pack and consume the product within 24 hours.
- Consume coconut water in moderation as high amounts may increase the risk of developing hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood) (12).
It is a good idea to consult a healthcare provider about your dietary needs while breastfeeding, particularly if you have any specific health concerns or dietary restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does coconut water help to reduce inflammation in the body during breastfeeding?
Tender coconut water has been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory effects (13). Therefore, it may help reduce inflammation in lactating mothers.
2. Is it better to drink coconut water or coconut milk while breastfeeding?
Both coconut water and coconut milk may be consumed during breastfeeding, depending on an individual’s nutritional requirements. Coconut milk is higher in energy, healthy fats, and calcium, while coconut water has more carbohydrates and potassium (5) (14) .
3. Are there any foods I should avoid while drinking coconut water when breastfeeding?
There are no known food interactions with coconut water. However, if you take medication for high blood pressure, coconut water may cause an additional drop in blood pressure. Additionally, coconut water is high in potassium, so you may need to avoid it if you are on a low-potassium diet (15).
4. Is it safe to give coconut water to babies while breastfeeding?
Coconut water for babies is not usually recommended. No drink except for breast milk and formula is suitable for babies below six months (16). However, coconut water is generally considered safe for children (15).
5. How to incorporate coconut water into my nursing diet?
You can mix coconut water into smoothies for a refreshing, nutritious boost. Use it as a base with your favorite fruits for a delicious, low-calorie, fruit-infused drink. Replace sugary or caffeinated drinks with coconut water for a healthier, hydrating option.
Tender coconut water when breastfeeding can be refreshing and nourishing. You may replace tea, coffee, and fruit juices with this water to enjoy the taste and feel rejuvenated. However, you must know how to consume it in moderation as a part of a well-balanced diet. It is high in nutrients and provides great relief during summers. Due to its medicinal and therapeutic properties, it is an excellent source of hydration and has good taste. Ensure to have it while it’s still fresh.
Infographic: Tips On Drinking Coconut Water When Breastfeeding
Coconut water is a natural, hydrating drink often recommended for lactating women. Low in calories and rich in electrolytes, it can help replenish fluids and minerals during pregnancy. So, check out the tips in the infographic below to safely consume coconut water when breastfeeding. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Coconut water is a hydrating and nourishing drink that is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- There are no sufficient studies on the safety or recommended amount of coconut water consumption for lactating women, but it is considered suitable for overall health.
- Lactation experts suggest that a balanced diet and proper hydration, including coconut water, may help maintain breast milk supply.
- It is important to choose fresh and tender coconut water from a reliable store/brand.
- Women who are on any medications or have a prior history of kidney or blood pressure disorders should consult a doctor before consuming coconut water.
Illustration: Is It Safe To Drink Coconut Water When Breastfeeding?
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
References
1. Shubhashree Thejasvi; Therapeutic and Nutritional Values of Narikelodaka (Tender Coconut Water) -A Review; Researchgate
2. Coconut Water; Medline Plus; U.S. National Library of Medicine
3. Breastfeeding FAQs; Dignity Health, Dominican Hospital
4. Nurul Elyani Mohamad et al.; In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of coconut water vinegar on 4T1 breast cancer cells; NCBI
5. Nuts, coconut water (liquid from coconuts), FDC ID: 170174; Fooddata Central; USDA
6. Micronutrient Needs During Pregnancy and Lactation; Oregon State University
7. 11 Nutrients Found in Coconut Water; A Healthier Michigan
8. Nutritional Health Benefits of Coconut Water; Innovare Journal of Food Sciences
9. Manisha DebMandal and Shyamapada Mandal; Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention; NCBI
10. R Priya and Lalitha Ramaswamy; Tender Coconut Water – Nature’s Elixir To Mankind; International Journal of Recent Scientific Research
11. Jing Wei et al.; The Diuretic Effects of Coconut Water by Suppressing Aquaporin and Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System in Saline-Loaded Rats; PMC
12. Death by Coconut; American Heart Association
13. Sadia Saleem Rao and Rahila Najam; Coconut water of different maturity stages ameliorates inflammatory processes in model of inflammation; NCBI
14. Coconut Milk; USDA
15. Coconut Water; Medline Plus
16. Feeding your baby: When to start with solid foods; UNICEF
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