If you are expecting a baby and you are interested in the thought: artichoke during pregnancy. You will find numerous important details on this kind of topic, as well as tips, assistance, experiences, and answers to be able to questions around pregnancy, correct nutrition and eating plans.

Health is wealth is an old, but true, proverb. And, when you are expecting a baby, the proverb becomes very real. And, one of the things that are used to improve health, digestive health, is an artichoke. But is it considered safe to eat artichoke during pregnancy? Can it provide useful nutrients for your fetal growth? Read the following post to discover the incredible benefits of artichoke during pregnancy!

What is artichoke?

The Mediterranean vegetable belongs to the sunflower family. The edible portion of the plant is the cocoon. It stimulates the flow of bile and helps you overcome the uncomfortable symptoms of nausea, intestinal gas, and heartburn during pregnancy. Some common health ailments controlled with regular artichoke intake are kidney problems, liver problems, high cholesterol, arthritis, bladder infections, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As a stimulant, artichoke also recovers from high blood sugar, snake bites, and reduced urine flow. People often use the chemicals Cynarin and chlorogenic acid found in artichoke as natural sweeteners in cooking (1).

Can pregnant women eat artichoke?

During pregnancy, it is recommended that you include these super healthy artichokes in your daily diet. You can simply cook the buds or sauté them with different pasta dishes. The low percentage of fats, sugars, calories and high fiber content, promotes the proper development of your unborn fetus.

(Read: Cabbage during pregnancy)

Benefits of eating artichoke during pregnancy

These are some of the health benefits of having fresh artichokes during pregnancy:

1. Choline Supplies:

• Eating artichokes during pregnancy can supply your body with choline which helps the healthy development of your baby’s brain cells.

• The recommended daily intake for choline during pregnancy should be around 450 milligrams, and a single artichoke supplies nearly 41 milligrams.

• Choline helps improve your baby’s memory and protects him from serious mental illness and neural tube defects.

• By reducing the percentage of amino acids homocysteine ​​in your body, it protects you from the risk of breast cancer.

• A high proportion of homocysteine ​​in the blood can cause cancer, heart disease and cognitive decline.

2. Folate Supplies:

• During pregnancy, your diet should include the key nutrient folate, as it supports the continued growth, production and development of new cells.

• A single artichoke supplies 107 micrograms of folic acid to help your baby grow healthy.

• An adequate amount of folic acid protects you from the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida.

• Folate protects your unborn child from deformities of the brain and skull.

• Insufficient folate also imposes preterm labor and low birth weight.

3. Fiber rich foods:

• In pregnancy, you are at increased risk for abnormal bowel movements, severe constipation, and nausea.

• The growing uterus puts excess pressure on your intestines, and you experience such conditions. Eating artichokes can regulate your bowel movements.

• A single artichoke supplies almost 10 grams of fiber that keeps you protected from digestive problems during pregnancy.

(Read: Is sauerkraut safe during pregnancy? )

4. Magnesium supplies:

• During pregnancy, your body needs a sufficient amount of magnesium since the baby needs the nutrients for tissue development.

• Low magnesium levels during pregnancy can increase the risk of leg cramps, fluid retention, and restless legs.

• Artichokes, being a good source of magnesium, supply almost 50 milligrams and meet your dietary needs.

5. Low in fat and cholesterol:

• During pregnancy, you should eat low calorie foods as it can reduce the risk of complications of birth and pregnancy.

• Your daily cholesterol intake should not exceed 300 milligrams per day.

• Artichoke is a fat-free, cholesterol-free vegetable and can keep your heart healthy and protect you from cardiovascular disease during pregnancy.

6.Provides additional nutrients:

• One medium artichoke provides nearly 1.33 milligrams of niacin which supports the healthy development of your newborn baby’s skin. In addition, niacin helps improve your baby’s nervous and digestive system.

• One medium artichoke provides 8.9 milligrams of vitamin C which helps boost your baby’s immune system.

• The artichoke also contains a small percentage of iron that protects you from the risk of anemia and premature labor.

• Some of the other healthy nutrients found in artichoke include riboflavin, vitamin A, and calcium.

• The fructose present in artichoke can sometimes cause uncomfortable gas during pregnancy. In such a condition, you should limit your consumption (2).

(Read: sunflower seeds during pregnancy)

Side effects of artichoke during pregnancy

Artichoke leaf extract supports healthy liver function and controls your cholesterol level. Some of the common digestive problems treated with artichoke leaf extracts are upset stomach, mild diarrhea, and nausea. However, there are certain side effects of artichoke that you should be aware of:

1. Liver and gallbladder effects:

• Regular intake of artichoke during pregnancy improves the functioning of your digestive system and removes unwanted toxins from your liver.

• As artichoke stimulates the flow of bile, if you suffer from chronic liver disease, you should refrain from taking the vegetable regularly.

• Artichoke leaf extracts can also cause unwanted gallbladder contractions. Therefore, if you suffer from gallstones, you should ingest the vegetable only after consulting your gynecologist.

2. Allergic reaction:

• If you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, arnica or calendula, you may also be allergic to artichoke leaf extract.

• Some of the typical signs of allergic reactions may include itching, rash or hives, difficulty swallowing, swelling or wheezing.

3. Diuretic effects:

• In ancient times, artichoke served as a diuretic and helped treat kidney and liver problems.

• But you should be aware that excessive intake of artichoke can cause frequent urination.

(Read: Foods to avoid during pregnancy)

Different ways to eat artichoke during pregnancy

• You can simmer a cut artichoke in a large saucepan for about 20 to 30 minutes. Let the vegetables cook, so you can quickly remove the lower leaves.

• You can eat the cooked artichoke by seasoning it with salt and olive oil.

• Trim the thick leaves of the artichoke and you can incorporate them with your green salad or a hot vegetable soup.

• You can fine puree cooked artichoke leaves mixed with low-fat plain yogurt in a blender and use it as a sauce.

• You can also add cooked artichoke leaves in different types of pasta recipes.

Did you eat artichokes during your pregnancy? Does it improve your digestive health? Tell us here.

Recommended articles:

Comments are moderated by MomJunction’s editorial team to remove any personal, abusive, promotional, provocative or irrelevant comments. We can also remove hyperlinks in comments.

The next two tabs change the content below. Momjunction Momjunction FaceBook Pinterest Twitter Incnut

Hopefully you have obtained all the details related to: artichoke during pregnancy. Keep your feedback and share your perception and thoughts related to: artichoke during pregnancy. We are always available to answer all your questions concerning maternity, healthy and balanced eating along with dieting. Stay with us!