Some pregnant women believe that drinking coconut water during pregnancy can make babies born clean and white. Because of this assumption, not a few pregnant women start regularly consuming coconut water from the beginning of pregnancy. The question is, is the hereditary information true?
Sweet and refreshing coconut water is certainly liked by many people. Pregnant women may be one of them. Not only does it taste delicious, coconut water also contains important nutrients needed by the body, including carbohydrates, sugar, protein, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, B vitamins and vitamin C.
Facts about drinking coconut water while pregnant and its relation to baby's skin
The notion about the benefits of drinking coconut water during pregnancy can make babies born clean and white is a myth. So, you don't have to believe. The reason is, whether or not a baby's skin is white is not caused by the food and drink that pregnant women consume.
The color of the baby's skin is largely determined by the genetics of both parents. If the pregnant woman and her husband are white, chances are that the little one will be white too.
While in the womb, the skin cells of the fetus will begin to produce melanin, the substance that determines the color of the baby's skin. Melanin production usually starts at 9 weeks of gestation. The more melanin produced, the darker the baby's skin pigmentation will be. Meanwhile, if a little melanin is produced, the baby's skin will be white or bright.
The process of melanin formation in the fetus is not affected by the intake of coconut water during pregnancy. In addition, drinking coconut water during pregnancy does not determine whether the baby will be born clean or not. At birth, the baby will generally be covered with a thick, white layer like cheese or wax called vernix caseosa.
This layer is usually considered as "dirt" by some people. In fact, this layer is a protective layer of the baby's skin while he is in the womb. In newborns, vernix caseosa This will be absorbed by the baby's skin, and over time it will disappear or peel off by itself.
Benefits of Coconut Water for Pregnant Women
Although it has nothing to do with the baby's skin, consuming coconut water during pregnancy is not prohibited, because it can actually provide benefits for pregnant women. you know.
Thanks to its nutritional content, drinking coconut water during pregnancy can provide extraordinary health benefits, including:
Prevent dehydration
Coconut water is a drink that is rich in electrolytes. Not only good for relieving thirst, drinking coconut water during pregnancy can prevent pregnant women from becoming dehydrated. If pregnant women feel nauseous or tired of drinking water, pregnant women can try drinking coconut water to meet their body's fluid needs.
Relieve morning sickness
Because it contains a number of important minerals, drinking coconut water is considered to relieve morning sickness in some pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. In addition, this fluid can replace minerals lost when pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting.
Lowering blood pressure
High blood pressure during pregnancy is one of the conditions that can endanger the health of pregnant women and their fetuses. For pregnant women who have high blood pressure, this condition can cause preeclampsia and develop into eclampsia.
Drinking coconut water during pregnancy is believed to reduce blood pressure. This benefit is obtained from the potassium content in coconut water. However, this fluid is not a substitute for treatment for high blood pressure, yes. So, pregnant women who have high blood pressure still have to take medication according to the doctor's advice.
From the explanation above, regularly drinking coconut water during pregnancy has nothing to do with the color of the baby's skin. In addition, coconut water also has nothing to do with whether or not the baby will be born later.
Even so, Bumill may, how come, drink coconut water, because this liquid is very nutritious for pregnant women. Drinking coconut water also provides benefits for the baby's health because it also provides the nutritional intake needed by him.
In addition to drinking coconut water, pregnant women are highly recommended to eat healthy foods, such as various types of vegetables and fruits, protein sources, nuts, and seeds. Pregnant women also still have to take prenatal vitamins and have regular check-ups with their obstetrician.