For anyone who is pregnant and you actually care about the question: eating nectarines during pregnancy. You will find lots of important details on this kind of topic, as well as tips, advice, ideas, and answers to be able to questions around being pregnant, correct nutrition and diets.
Nectarines are especially delicious and quite tempting! And as a pregnant woman, you’re probably salivating at the thought of having one right now. But can it negatively affect your pregnancy and harm your fetus? Don’t worry mommy! Here, we talk about the safety of consuming nectarines during pregnancy and whether the fruit has any health benefits for pregnant women.
What is a nectarine?
Nectarines are close cousins of peaches. They are also popular as stone fruits, and belong to the Rosaceae family. The fruits resemble peaches in appearance. Nectarines have a unique aroma. The fruit encloses a hard seed inside it, and the juicy outer flesh covers the seed. The nutritional content of nectarines offers several health benefits (1).
Is it safe to eat nectarines during pregnancy?
Yes, you can enjoy eating nectarines while pregnant. However, you should wash the fruit before eating it, as an unwashed nectarine can contain harmful parasites and bacteria that can lead to dangerous foodborne illnesses such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. Therefore, wash the fruit to ensure that you can enjoy eating it safely during pregnancy (2).
(Read: Peaches during pregnancy )
Health benefits of nectarines during pregnancy
The vitamin and mineral content in juicy nectarines is highly beneficial to you and your unborn baby while you wait. Find below the prominent health benefits of eating the fruit during pregnancy.
1. Prevents birth defects:
Eating nectarine during pregnancy helps prevent the risk of birth defects in the fetus. The mineral, vitamin and folic acid content in the fruit minimizes the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida in your unborn baby. In addition, the consumption of the fruit promotes fetal health (3).
2. Fetal growth and development:
Nectarines are a great source of fiber and vitamin C, which contribute to the proper growth and development of your fetus. The nutrient content in the fruit helps in the development of your unborn baby’s muscles and blood vessels. Additionally, the potassium content in nectarines prevents muscle cramps and increases energy levels during pregnancy (4).
(Read: Apricots during pregnancy )
3. Safeguard the eyes:
Nectarines contain lutein, a crucial nutrient that promotes eye health and minimizes the risk of eye disease during pregnancy. Furthermore, lutein acts as a strong antioxidant and prevents the risk of developing nuclear cataracts. The vitamin A and beta-carotene content in the fruit helps you maintain good eye health, improve your vision, and prevent the risk of xerophthalmia and blindness (5).
4. Prevents the risk of hypokalemia:
The potassium content in nectarines is highly beneficial for the proper function of your cells and nerves during pregnancy. Potassium aids in protein synthesis and metabolic process, maintains electrolyte balance, promotes muscle function, and utilizes carbohydrates. The fruit prevents the risk of disorders such as hypokalemia, which can negatively affect your muscle health while you wait (6).
5. Promotes healthy skin:
Nectarines contain bioflavonoids, lutein, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and antioxidants that protect your skin from damage and substantially promote skin health during pregnancy. Vitamin C aids in collagen synthesis and maintains toned skin tissues. Lutein provides a photoprotective effect and protects your skin against free radical damage and UV-induced erythema (7).
(Read: Blackberries during pregnancy )
6. Helps digestion:
The dietary fiber content in nutritious alkaline nectarine helps promote digestion and maintain good health while you wait. Fiber absorbs water easily, promotes smooth bowel movements, and prevents the risk of constipation, ulcers, and gastritis during pregnancy. Additionally, nectarines promote detoxification and protect your body’s harmful toxins (8).
7. Protects from cancer:
The chlorogenic acid in nectarines helps prevent tumors. The acid inhibits the growth of cancer cells and protects you from developing colon and lung cancer while you wait (9).
Did you enjoy eating nectarines during pregnancy? How did you benefit? Share your unique experience with other moms to be. Leave a comment below.
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