If you are expecting and you are interested in the thought: pomegranate during pregnancy. You will see numerous helpful information on this kind of topic, as well as tips, assistance, opinions, and answers for you to questions around pregnancy, correct nutrition and diet programs.
Sweet, spicy and highly nutritious. This is what a grenade looks like.
While some like to eat the fruit, others love to drink fresh pomegranate juice. If you like fruit, but are not sure how much to consume during pregnancy, this MomJunction post is for you. Read on to find out if you can eat pomegranate during pregnancy, its benefits and risks, if any.
Is it safe to have pomegranate and pomegranate juice during pregnancy?
Yes, pregnant women can have pomegranate as it is a good source of potassium, vitamins, iron, folate, and antioxidants (1). Pomegranate juice is known to prevent certain pregnancy risks, such as preterm labor and pre-eclampsia (2). However, excessive consumption of this superfood and its juice is not suggested, as it can have some side effects during pregnancy.
How many pomegranates can a pregnant woman eat in one day?
Two to eight ounces of pomegranate juice per day are known to offer benefits for adults. But there is no standard amount of pomegranate recommended for pregnant women (3). So it’s safe to say that pregnant mothers can limit their intake to less than is suggested for others.
(Read: Fruits to eat during pregnancy )
What are the health benefits of eating pomegranate during pregnancy?
These are the benefits of consuming pomegranate during pregnancy:
- Reduces hypertension: Some pregnant women suffer from pre-eclampsia or excessively high blood pressure. This disorder can increase the risks of maternal and fetal mortality. Drinking pomegranate juice can help lower blood pressure, as it contains a polyphenol called punicalagin, which has bioactive properties (4).
- Improves heart health: The antioxidants in pomegranate lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease, which makes the fruit good for cardiovascular health (5).
- Protects the fetal brain: The polyphenolic antioxidants in pomegranate juice and their anti-inflammatory properties are known to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Drinking juice during pregnancy can help protect the fetal brain from injury (6).
- Improves bone density: Eating pomegranate has led to a higher calcium content in the bones in pregnant women. Regular consumption of the fruit can prevent bone loss and also improve bone formation (7).
- Prevents pregnancy complications: Some pregnant women suffer from placental problems that could lead to premature delivery or low birth weight in babies. These can occur due to oxidative stress. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice have shown positive effects, and consuming the fruit can prevent all of these risks (2).
- Strengthens the immune system: The antioxidants and vitamins in pomegranate are known to boost your immune system and fight infection. Therefore, it is recommended that you drink pomegranate juice when you are pregnant (8).
In the next section, we see if there are any risks associated with eating pomegranate during pregnancy.
Are there risks associated with consuming pomegranate?
Yes. Pregnant women should be careful when consuming pomegranate during pregnancy (8) (9).
- Pomegranate juice can interfere with some medications. To avoid complications during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor before including fruit in your regular diet.
- Pomegranate is high in calories, therefore eating more than required could increase your weight during pregnancy.
- There is no research to suggest that pregnant women can take pomegranate supplements or extracts. Therefore, it is best to avoid them during pregnancy and enjoy the seeds and fresh juice.
How to include pomegranate in your pregnancy diet?
Consume pomegranate in the following ways to enjoy its flavor and benefits.
- Put some pomegranate seeds in your mouth when you want to have a snack.
- A glass of freshly made pomegranate juice can make you feel rejuvenated.
- Adding the ruby red seeds of the fruit to cereals and salads can improve their flavor and nutrition.
- You can decorate your plates with pomegranate seeds.
- A pomegranate smoothie or shake can also satisfy your pregnancy cravings for something sweet and sour.
- Mix pomegranate seeds in any of your dessert recipes.
But before doing so, read about the tips for consuming this fruit safely.
(Read: Healthy juices to drink during pregnancy )
Tips for consuming pomegranate
- Always buy fresh, ripe pomegranates. Choose heavy ones with firm skin.
- While removing the seeds, be sure not to add any of the rind.
- Avoid buying pomegranate juice from abroad as they may have preservatives. Make it fresh at home.
Both pomegranate seeds and juice are completely safe during pregnancy, as long as you consume them in the correct amounts. Adding the fruit to your regular pregnancy diet will certainly benefit your health.
Did you like eating pomegranate while you were pregnant? How can I help you? Let us know in the comments.
References
1. N. Breuner, C. Gorgon, K. Hanley, and M. Bunning; Grenades; Information on Food Sources: Colorado Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence 2. Pomegranate juice can prevent pregnancy complications; Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (2013) 3. Is Pomegranate Juice Really a Superfood ?; Institute of Natural Medicine (2013) 4. Y. Wang et al .; Punicalagin supplementation reduces oxidative stress markers and restores angiogenic balance in a rat model of pregnancy-induced hypertension; The Korean Journal of Physiology & amp; Pharmacology (2018) 5. Aviram M, Rosenblat M. Granada for your cardiovascular health. RMMJ 2013; 4 (2): e0013. doi: 10.5041 / RMMJ.101136. Y. Ginsberg et al., Maternal pomegranate attenuates maternal inflammation-induced fetal brain injury; American Journal of Obstetrics & amp; Gynecology (2017) 7. M. Monsefi, F. Parvin and T. Talaei-Khozani; Effects of pomegranate extracts on cartilage, bone and mesenchymal cells of mouse fetuses; British Journal of Nutrition (2012) 8. Health Benefits of Pomegranate Seeds and Juice; Healing with food 9. M. Shah, S. Shah and M. Patel; Review on: Aspects of Punica Granatum; Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Bioscientific Research (2011) 10. By the way, doctor: does pomegranate juice interfere with medications ?; Harvard Health Publishing (2006)
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