In addition to quenching thirst, coconut water is also believed to have a myriad of usefulness. However, despite talking about its benefits and everything, is coconut water really safe when given to children?

Coconut water that we usually consume generally comes from coconuts that are about 6-7 months old. This water contains a number of essential nutrients for the body, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

In addition, coconut water also contains a lot of sugar, so it tastes sweet and favored by many people. Even though the taste is already sweet, some people tend to add something sweeter like strawberry syrup to enhance the taste.

Just like adults, there is actually no prohibition for children to enjoy the delicious coconut water. Occasionally give coconut water to the baby, it’s okay. However, he/she must be over 6 months in order to get all the possible benefits.

The reason is because from birth until the age of 6 months, children should only consume breast milk or formula milk. In fact, water at this age is still forbidden for them.

Coconut water has a sweet taste and is definitely loved by most children. So, coconut water can be a good alternative to fizzy drinks or sugary drinks that can interfere with their health. In addition, this water also contains many benefits for children, such as:

Health Benefits of Coconut Water for Kids

1. Keep Them Hydrated

Playing around all day simply looks fun and enjoyable for the kids. Sure thing, playing can also give them goodness, both mentally and physically. Despite its benefits, playing can also give some negative aspects to the children, especially in a condition when the time takes too long. It can cause dehydration.

Do you know that kids are often exposed to dehydration?

Dehydration is a condition in which the body uses or loses more fluid than the amount of fluid that enters. Thus, the amount of body fluids is insufficient to make the organs function normally. There are several degrees of dehydration that can occur.

In addition to the elderly, infants and children are also more susceptible to dehydration when compared to adults. The severity of dehydration is distinguished into three degrees of dehydration, depending on how much fluid is lost.

The first alternative to solve it, just after the freshwater, is by consuming coconut water. Coconut water hydrates children’s bodies due to the high amount of potassium, sodium, and natural sugar content in coconut water.

When the weather is hot, coconut water is very suitable given as a thirst reliever. In addition, coconut water can also help restore electrolyte balance in infants with diarrhea.

2. Increases Their Energy

Some of the nutrients children need to increase their energy are carbohydrates, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium. Good news, all these nutrients are contained in coconut water.

Coconut water also contains low sugar content. After the parents give their kids some coconut water, he/she will feel refreshed again.

3. Treats Constipation

Coconut water helps relieve symptoms of constipation. Cases of constipation in infants and toddlers must be troublesome for parents. The main cause of constipation in children is usually due to excessive intake of cow’s milk and processed milk. It’s added with the lack of fiber and water consumed by the little one.

Coconut water is rich in fiber and electrolytes that help to treat this health problem. With consuming coconut water on a regular basis, constipation can be overcome with ease. Combine its effectiveness by also having the benefits of banana.

4. Helps the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections

Infants and toddlers are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. This condition is possible to happen because they have not been able to maintain the cleanliness of their own urinary tract. A bacterial infection can be worse if the bacteria remains in the kidneys or bladder and is not removed.

Coconut water contains substances that can clean and cure problems in the urinary tract. Coconut water is also very effective for treating infections in the bladder. Coconut water can also remove various harmful chemicals from the body, and maintain the health of the urinary tract.

5. Treats Cholera 

One of the special health benefits of coconut water. In some cases, diarrhea caused by cholera will leave the child dehydrated. If not treated immediately, this condition can lead to a variety of bad complications.

One of the treatments of cholera disease is oral rehydration, which is the return of body fluids through the mouth. Often, cholera patients should be given infusion fluids on a regular basis to prevent dehydration. Coconut water is one of the good alternative infusion substitutes, because it can maintain the balance of fluids in the body.

Enclosure

By knowing the above information, now mothers should not hesitate to give coconut water to their kids. This healthy fluid is really suitable for consumption during the day, when the sun is in a very hot state.

However, it is better for mother to only give pure coconut water that has just been picked from the tree. If it is settled for too long after being picked, coconut water is at risk of contamination of germs and reduced nutrient content.

In addition, avoid giving coconut water containing added sugars. Excess consumption of sugar in a child can cause them to be obese. This condition will certainly affect his health until his old age.

The provision of coconut water for children is classified as safe. However, if an allergic reaction arises, such as nausea, vomiting, itching, rash, or loss of consciousness, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.