Is Pomegranate Good During Pregnancy?
YES, Pomegranate is good for pregnancy. Pomegranate contains folic acid, which can help avoid neural tube defects, harming the foetus's spinal cord. Moreover, folic acid can also prevent birth flaws when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. Pomegranate can also help with skin.
Can I Eat Pomegranate During Pregnancy at Night or in the Evening?
It is advised to consume citrus fruits such as Pomegranate during the mornings. Citrus fruits can cause damage to your body if consumed before eating something else. This is because these fruits are highly acidic. Consider taking Pomegranate during pregnancy in the morning, instead of at night or in the morning.
Also Read: 11 Best Books to Read During Pregnancy in 2021
Is it Safe to Eat Pomegranate During Pregnancy?
Yes, absolutely. Eating fruits is essential to gain the necessary nutrition as a pregnant woman. Pomegranate is one such fruit that doctors and nutritionists strongly recommend during pregnancy as it is an excellent sourced of nutrition and antioxidants. It also contains vitamins and phytochemical compounds which are good for the heart. These fruits provide pregnant women with plenty of-
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Folate
- Iron
- Protein
- Fibre
- Potassium
Is it Safe to Eat Pomegranate Seeds?
Of course, seeds are completely digestible. You can eat both- the pomegranate seeds and the juice.
Health Benefits of Eating Pomegranate During Pregnancy
Pomegranate contains an array of healthy nutrients. During pregnancy, this fruit satiates not only sweet cravings but also hydrates. Wondering if eating pomegranate during pregnancy is a healthy option? Here, read on:
1. Prevent Iron Deficiency (Anaemia)
Intake of iron supplements or iron-rich foods like pomegranate during pregnancy ensures sufficient iron in the blood. Pomegranates are rich in Vitamin C and Iron. For better absorption of iron, Vitamin C is recommended. Besides this, sufficient intake of vitamin C and iron lowers the risk of iron-deficiency anaemia that results in preterm delivery.
2. Fosters Digestion
A good amount of fibre is one of the benefits of pomegranate during pregnancy. Enriched with fibre, pomegranate keeps a range of digestive disorders, including constipation, at bay, as fibre in it streamlines the digestive system. Experts recommend eating fibre-rich foods like pomegranate as they foster digestion and help stimulates bowel movements.
3. Protects Against Free Radicals
Some body processes can cause free radical formation in the body. These radicals are generally waste products that turn into toxins, and hence body needs to remove them. If the toxins are not flushed out, they interact with the healthy cells or DNA molecules. This, in return, damages the body besides harming the placenta.
Being packed with antioxidants, pomegranate during pregnancy helps combat free radicals. The antioxidants help repair any damage done to the cells while also protecting the foetus from cell damage.
4. Prevents Cramps
Another mineral that is essential for pregnant women is potassium. Potassium helps muscles work and so prevents cramping during pregnancy. If you want to ensure a sufficient amount of potassium in the body to avoid cramps, include potassium-rich foods in your diet like pomegranate during pregnancy,
5. Helps in the Brain Development
Folate is an essential element that ensures appropriate mental development of the foetus. Folate supports the formation of neural tubes development the baby’s nervous system, thereby keeping the development of the brain on the right path.
When it comes to pomegranate benefits in pregnancy, one can meet 10 per cent of the folate requirement from pomegranate juice.
Does Pomegranate Cause Constipation During Pregnancy?
Pomegranates are filled with antioxidants and fibre, which helps balance the digestive system and prevent constipation and other problems.
How Many Pomegranates Can a Pregnant Woman Eat?
Fruits and vegetables are beneficial for the body, but anything in excess, no matter how beneficial, is not good for health, and pomegranate is no exception. Ideally, one pomegranate a day is sufficient to obtain pomegranate benefits in pregnancy.
At the same time, overeating can damage the enamel covering related to the tooth. Therefore, it is not advisable to eat too many pomegranates. To avoid this damage, you can consider eating some cheese before eating the seeds. However, you must consult your doctor before including any fruit in your pregnancy diet.
How to Include Pomegranate in Your Diet
You can always include pomegranates in your daily breakfast or whenever you are hungry. If you are wondering about other ways to include pomegranate during pregnancy in your diet, we have got you covered.
- If you are a meat lover, you can enhance the flavour of your cooking by adding a few mint leaves along with pomegranate seeds to obtain the pomegranate benefits in pregnancy.
- If you are fond of fruit milkshakes or smoothies, you can add a few pomegranate seeds to it as a topping.
- Garnish your salads and desserts with pomegranate seeds. You can make your spinach and paneer salad tastier.
- Add a few seeds to your favourite desserts, such as ras malai, to get hold of pomegranate benefits in pregnancy.
Pomegranate During Pregnancy: So is it Safe?
YES, Pomegranate during pregnancy is absolutely safe for you and your baby. It helps with digestion, improves your gut health, energy levels and even decreases the risk of injury to the placenta. The vitamin K in Pomegranate helps maintain healthy bones. Consider having 1 pomegranate daily or every alternate day in the morning, with your breakfast or before lunch!
FAQs
Is It Safe to Eat Pomegranate Seeds?
Yes, it is safe to eat pomegranate seeds, and there are no side effects of pomegranate during pregnancy. The seeds and the juices (also known as arils) are the edible parts of this fruit. These arils are packed with a myriad of health benefits to keep your body free from a range of diseases.
Which Fruit Is Best for Pregnancy?
When it comes to pregnancy diet, the best fruits that provide benefits are apple, citrus, banana, kiwi, watermelon and berries. Besides, many other healthy fruits provide a soon to be mother and her baby with fibre, potassium, vitamin A and C, folic acid, and other nutrients. These fruits include mangoes, cantaloupe, cherries, pomegranates and apricots.
Is Pomegranate Good for Babies?
Yes, enriched with all the healthy nutrients like fibre, vitamin B, C and K, zinc, and over 150 antioxidants, pomegranate during pregnancy is a healthy option not just for you but for your baby as well. The juice provides a good amount of beta-carotene. When the body converts it into vitamin A, this juice promotes a healthy immune system, eyes, and skin. However, crush and flatten the pomegranate seeds to avoid the risk of choking.
