Water228g–Energy45.6Kcal–Carbohydrate, by difference8.9g–Calcium, Ca57.6mg1000mg (19-50 years)Magnesium, Mg60mg310mg (19-30 years)

320mg (31-50 years)

Phosphorus, P48mg700mg (19-50 years)Potassium, K600mg2800mg AI* (19-50 years)Sodium, Na252mg1500mg AI* (14-50 years)

*AI = Adequate Intake

Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University

Note: 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.

  1. 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.
  2. Supports digestion: Consuming coconut water may help improve digestion (7), due to the presence of lauric acid, which may aid in digestion and absorption processes (8).
  3. May support immunity: Antioxidants and lauric acid in tender coconut water have shown, in research, to display antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant properties (4) (9).
  4. May benefit 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.

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

You may follow these precautions to ensure a safe intake of coconut water during the lactation period.

  1. 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.
  2. If you are on any medication or supplement, then take the doctor’s advice before consuming coconut water.
  3. 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.
  4. If you need to buy packaged coconut water, buy from a reputable brand to ensure product quality.
  5. Check the packaging date of packaged coconut water, and the presence of any other ingredients, such as sugar and preservatives.
  6. Store an unopened pack of packaged coconut water in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  7. Refrigerate an open pack and consume the product within 24 hours.
  8. Consume coconut water in moderation as high amounts may increase the risk of developing hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood) (11).
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Tender coconut water is refreshing. You may replace tea, coffee, and fruit juices with this water to enjoy the taste and feel fresh. However, consume it in moderation, as a part of a well-balanced diet.


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Breastfeeding

Is It Safe To Drink Coconut Water When Breastfeeding?

IN THIS ARTICLE

Tender coconut is a green-colored drupe with distinguished nutritional, therapeutic, and medicinal properties. Coconut water has myriad uses, be it for general refreshment, treating dehydration, or folk-healing of ailments (1). However, its use as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply is still under research.

In this post, we tell you about coconut water’s safety during breastfeeding, its possible health benefits, and precautions to take.

Is Coconut Water Safe During Breastfeeding?

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?

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 vital nutrients, enzymes, and phenolic acids (4) that may support your postpartum recovery as well as hydrate you..

Nutritional 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.

NameAmountRDA during lactation