INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

HPPC
1st year / 1st Semester / 2019 / FMUI 2019
Chyntia Diva Sumbodo
1906316055

Myth Associated with Mother and Child Health Care

The Effect of Coconut Water in The Baby’s Skin Color During Pregnancy

From one generation to another, various myths revolve around some families,
often as a result of the impact from various cultures each family is exposed to, or even
simply as a result of a lack of self-educating. In fact, some of my family members tend
to linger onto some myths that are not scientific-based. I remember this one time,
when a relation of mine, who at the time was pregnant, was being suggested by my
mother to drink more coconut water. My mother told her coconut water can make the
baby’s skin lighter. I remember being so unsure of that information which at the time
I haven’t done my studying on. After I finally did some studying on it, there are
apparently many myths going around the consumption of coconut water during
pregnancy, one of it being the so-called “effect” on the baby’s skin color.

Understandable reasoning to believe in this myth may be due to the benefits

coconut water can give to a pregnant mother since it contains natural electrolytes
such as sodium. During pregnancy, dehydration can easily occur due to physical
change. Thus, coconut water, as a popular beverage to consume during rehydration,
can be beneficial for a pregnant mother.1 According to its nutritional value, one cup
of coconut water contains 2.6 grams of fiber and 5.8 milligrams of Vitamin C, making
it a nutritious beverage option that can be beneficial for both the mother and the
baby.2

Although the myth is good to hear, the so-called “effect” on coconut water on
the baby’s skin remains just a wish. Exaggerating the benefits of coconut water won’t
make it come true. The baby’s skin color purely depends on the genetic factor and is
affected by the melanin passed by its parents. The baby’s skin color can not be altered
just by drinking coconut water.3
 Skin color is determined by a pigment called melanin— the substance accounts
for skin, which is produced by cells called melanocytes. During the pregnancy,
melanocytes migrate into the epidermis, showing its first appearance in the baby’s
skin on the first trimester.3 Genes, which are determined by the parents, control the
expression of pigment. Less pigment means lighter skin, more pigment results in
darker skin. Melanocyte, according to its quantity, surely plays its role in determining
skin color. Fewer melanocytes, overall, mean less pigment. As mentioned, fewer
pigment results in lighter skin color.4

In determining skin color, several genes are involved. One of these genes is
known as the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene which controls the body
production of eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is brown or black pigment.
Meanwhile, pheomelanin is yellow or red pigment. The tendency to have lighter skin
is owned by those with lots of pheomelanin.4 Therefore, it can be inferred that genes
are primarily responsible for skin colors. That is why light-skinned parents tend to
have light-skinned babies and dark-skinned parents, dark-skinned babies.

Despite the fact that no food, including coconut water, can determine the skin
color of a baby, it is still important for pregnant mothers to maintain a healthy diet to
ensure both the mother and baby receive adequate nutrition. Introducing coconut
water to the diet, without the expectancy of it affecting the baby’s skin color, is
practically a safe action to take. Although parents often wonder what their baby will
look like, the skin color of the baby shouldn’t be considered as a worry. Variations in
skin color are one of the most striking human characteristics and every parents should
love their babies despite it.

References
1. Zeratsky K. What is coconut water and what's behind the hype? [Internet].
Minnesota: Mayo Clinic; 2019 Aug 03 [cited Oct 11 2019]. Available from:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-
eating/expert-answers/coconut-water/faq-20207812
2. Sonomura S. Is coconut water good for my kidneys? [Internet]. Hawaii:
National Kidney Foundation. [cited Oct 11 2019]. Available from:
https://kidneyhi.org/dietitian-blog/coconut-water-and-chronic-kidney-disease
3. Rees JL. Genetics of Hair and Skin Color. Annual Review of Genetics.
2003;37(1):67-90.
4. Conklin J. Where do different skin colors come from? [Internet]. San Jose: The
Tech Interactive; 2008 Nov 06 [cited Oct 11 2019]. Available from:
https://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask288