Pomegranates are rich in iron and help in increasing hemoglobin levels. So most doctors advice or give a green signal when pregnant women ask if consuming pomegranates during pregnancy is healthy or beneficial. Pomegranates are rich in several nutrients and help you and your unborn baby be healthy. Moreover, pomegranate juice is a great way to keep your body hydrated and satiate your pregnancy cravings for something sweet.
Health Benefits Of Eating Pomegranate During Pregnancy
1. Fiber-Rich
Pomegranates are rich in fiber content. Half a cup of pomegranates contains about 5g of fiber. Pregnancy can sometimes cause constipation or other bowel-related problems. Fiber-rich foods can help in overcoming these bowel problems such as constipation. The American Pregnancy Association claims pregnant women should consume a minimum of 25 to 30g of fiber every day.
2. Iron-Rich
As mentioned earlier, pomegranate is one of the richest sources of iron. When you don’t have enough iron in your body, it can lead to anemia. And anemia, in turn, can lead to complications for you and your baby. Pregnant women who suffer from anemia are at a higher risk of suffering preterm delivery. And preterm babies are often born at a low birth weight. Doctors may give you iron supplements to maintain your iron levels. However, a natural way to maintain your iron levels is by consuming pomegranates. It is a delicious and safest way to increase the iron content in your body. When you eat iron-rich foods, you create an iron reserve in your body.
3. Rich In Vitamin C
This fruit is also rich n Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps absorb iron from various foods and your supplements. When you eat a pomegranate, the Vitamin C in the fruit aids in absorbing the iron present in the fruit, benefit you in all ways.
Benefits Of Drinking Pomegranate Juice During Pregnancy
1. Fulfills Your Calorific Requirement
Pregnant women need about 2,000 to 2,200 calories each day in your second and third trimesters of your pregnancy. Eight ounces of pomegranate juice contains about 136 calories, thereby taking up a good chunk of your daily calorific requirement. Taking more pomegranate juice also keeps you hydrated through the day. However, make sure you take a varied source of fruits and vegetables to fulfill your daily requirement of calories.
2. Folate
Folate helps in your baby’s development while you’re pregnant. One serving of pomegranate juice has 60mg of folate. It is said, pregnant women have to consume a minimum of 400mg to about 600mg of folate every day. Maintaining a goof amount of folate in your body during pregnancy keeps your baby healthy and safe against various birth defects.
3. Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a major role in strengthening your baby’s bones and blood clotting in both you and your baby. One serving of pomegranate juice holds 26.1 mg of Vitamin K. Pregnant women require 900mcg of Vitamin K on a daily basis during pregnancy.
4. Potassium-Rich
Eight ounces of pomegranate juice contains 538mg of potassium. Potassium promotes muscle and nerve functioning in both you and your baby. Pregnancy causes an increase in the blood content in your body. Potassium helps influence the fluid levels in your body. Consuming potassium-rich foods also prevents or eases pregnancy cramps. A pregnant woman requires around 4,700 mg of Potassium in a day.
5. Antioxidants
Rich in antioxidants, pomegranate juice is a great of developing your immune system. Antioxidants lower the risk of placental injury and help in repairing any possible free-radical damage to the placental cells. Antioxidants also reduce the risk of injury to the fetus’ brain. Also, polyphenols (a group antioxidants) help reduce the damage caused by oxygen deficiency which can occur during labor.
Pomegranate Juice Prevents Pregnancy Complications
A recent research at the Washington University shows that pomegranate juice prevents pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, and growth restriction in pregnant women. An increase in free radicals causes the cells to undergo oxidative stress. Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants that protect against free radicals in complicated pregnancies. Oxidative stress can lead to placental problems and cause the woman’s blood pressure to spike.
In the study, pregnant women in their 35-38 weeks were given 8 ounces of pomegranate juice or apple juice every day until the delivery time. Then researchers collected placental tissue from 12 of these women to analyze oxidative stress. The results showed that pomegranate juice reduced oxidative stress in the placenta and also limited the death of fetal cells.
Risks Associated With Pomegranate Consumption
However beneficial pomegranates can be for pregnant women, there are a few risks too. Consuming pomegranate extract can induce early labor due to the presence of rind in this fruit. Pomegranates, as mentioned, are high in calories and thus must be consumed carefully. Moreover, the fruit can interact with medications such as blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, statins, and blood pressure medicines.
