Pomegranate in pregnancy: the benefits and harms

The pomegranate is a fruit that in the past decades has earned considerable popularity not only in Central Europe, but also in Russia. Today it is even called the king of fruit, and the thing is that its composition contains a surprising amount of vitamins.

This famous fruit is grown in several countries in South America, the Middle East and Western Asia. The advantage of the plant is considered to be its longevity - a pomegranate tree with proper care will live up to a hundred years, but for full growth it needs a sufficient amount of sunlight.

History of the pomegranate

In the East, such a plant as the pomegranate tree was popular in ancient times, it was even known as the king of fruits. Otherwise, this fruit is still called the Carthage apple. This is due to the history of its origin and the many legends that shroud the fruit.

The pomegranate stands out among other fruits for its unusual appearance - its bright red color, as well as the crown that adorns the top of the fruit. Even in ancient times, the pomegranate was held in special esteem. Its seeds can even be seen in one of the pictures of the goddess of fertility on the island of Rhodes. The pomegranate is thought to have begun to gain popularity at the founding of Carthage in 825 BC. The city was founded by the Phoenicians, who brought with them seedlings of this unusual perennial plant. Historical events were such that Rome defeated Carthage in a stern battle. From the powerful empire was left only an unusual fruit, which the Romans nicknamed the Punic apple.

Interesting fact! Some legends say that the pomegranate was the forbidden fruit, which the Biblical Eve tasted in the Garden of Eden. The origin of these legends is based on the resemblance of the pomegranate to the familiar apple.

It is known that many pomegranate trees were later discovered all over the world. Apparently, the Phoenicians knew the value of the fruit tree and tried to spread it as widely as possible. The fact is that the pomegranate tree has several ways to spread - by cuttings, seeds and seedlings. Already in six to seven years, the tree or shrub begins to bear fruit and can bear fruit for decades. Some pomegranate plants are known to last up to 300 years and bear fruit for a good part of their lives.

The pomegranate has become popular worldwide because of its composition. The citric acid here is perfectly combined with glucose and fructose, which determines the usefulness of the fruit for different categories of people around the world. Today, the pomegranate is even used for medicinal purposes, so you can find this fruit on the counter of any store.

Pomegranate Benefits

The kernels of this famous fruit contain a whole vitamin complex. It contains such vitamins as C, B6, B12, P. Other useful elements for human body such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, sodium are also concentrated inside the pomegranate.

The pomegranate juice is also very useful because it contains plant acids such as citric, tartaric, malic, succinic and oxalic acids, which are necessary for the health of any person. It is because of the presence of such substances, the fruit is used by nutritionists to improve digestion - pomegranate improves appetite and helps even in cases where patients have problems with the production of gastric juice.

Pomegranate is also used to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. So, the regular use of this fruit or juice on its basis helps to strengthen blood vessels, normalize blood pressure, improve the process of blood formation, the synthesis of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the blood. Pomegranate juice is one of the most popular treatments for conditions such as anemia, vitamin deficiencies, and low blood pressure. Interestingly, the use of this fruit is recommended not only by nutritionists, but also by specialists in other fields, including cardiologists.

The pomegranate is also useful for the elderly - it is necessary for them to regularly drink the juice or eat the fruit in its pure form to strengthen blood vessels and normalize blood pressure. It is believed that the consumption of the fruit increases the duration and quality of life.

The harm of the pomegranate

Experts say that a small amount of pomegranate seeds is not able to harm the human body. But its excessive consumption can lead to extremely unpleasant consequences, that is why the consumption of such a product should be treated with caution and know the measure.

The pomegranate juice has a number of contraindications, so some categories of citizens are strictly forbidden to use this delicious product. It should not be drunk by people with peptic ulcer disease and gastritis, as well as those who have been diagnosed with hyperacidity. The use of juice with such diseases can cause exacerbations, which will lead not only to unpleasant feelings and pain, but also to the need for skilled treatment and even surgery.

Also, you should not drink pomegranate juice in its pure form, because the drink has a high level of acids, which strongly irritates the mucous surface of the stomach. For proper consumption, the juice is diluted with water. Precisely because of this factor, pomegranate juice is forbidden to give to young children - a weak child's body simply cannot withstand the abundance of acids, and the child may develop stomach diseases.

Despite the fact that the pomegranate can improve digestion, people suffering from constipation should exclude the drink and the fruit from their diet, because the fruit will only worsen the situation and stop the ongoing treatment. It is important to understand that the abundance of acids in the composition of pomegranate juice contributes to the destruction of tooth enamel, so after drinking the drink is recommended to rinse your mouth immediately with warm water to wash off the remains from the teeth.

Also, you should be cautious about the use of decoctions made from pomegranate peels. Despite their benefits, the peel contains poisonous alkaloids, which in excessive concentrations can cause intoxication of the body.

Can I eat a pomegranate during pregnancy?

A woman who is in the period of waiting for the baby, always wants to eat only healthy products that will not have a negative impact on the child in the womb. That is why expectant mothers so often wonder which products are allowed and which are strictly prohibited during pregnancy. This is due primarily to the fact that the baby, being in the mother's belly, is fed entirely at the expense of the substances that enter her body.

It is important to understand that any product that is eaten by a pregnant woman can have an impact on her baby. That is why she needs vitamins and minerals and it is so important to avoid harmful products that will lead to negative reactions. Another important fact is that the food that the woman eats while waiting for the baby affects the course of pregnancy - it can both facilitate and complicate it.

Experts say that pregnant women can and should eat pomegranate, but they should do it carefully and cautiously. At different stages of pregnancy pomegranate and its juice have different effects, so it is important to consider the contraindications to the use of such a product.

In the first trimester

It is from the moment a woman learns that she is pregnant, she begins to try hard to strengthen her own body for the successful carrying of the baby. Often at this time the woman does not know what products are allowed to eat, and which should be immediately excluded. Unfortunately, the early pregnancy period for many expectant mothers is difficult - the woman has a toxicosis, growing inside her body requires a lot of vitamins, due to which her nails and teeth begin to deteriorate. To compensate for the lack of substances in the body in such a situation is quite difficult.

The use of pomegranates in early pregnancy can bring positive results due to the chemical composition of the product. This is due to a number of factors:

1. Pomegranate has a positive effect on the digestive system of a woman, due to which all incoming vitamins and minerals are absorbed in full. Also, this product normalizes the appetite even in women who suffer from severe toxicosis and rarely feel hunger. Pomegranate juice in any form has enveloping properties - it protects the stomach and improves its function, allowing the mother-to-be to eat normally without consequences for the body.
2. In the early stages of pregnancy, the main problem of many women becomes toxicosis. Pomegranate is a great way to cope with this unpleasant symptom. The acids contained in the product, relieve the feeling of nausea and even invigorate, and pectin in the fruit helps to eliminate toxins from the body, due to which the toxemia is noticeably weakened.
3. Since a woman, who is pregnant, is not recommended to take any medicines, the only salvation from headaches, including the toxicosis, is the use of pomegranates. To alleviate this condition, it is recommended to eat one fruit daily, while closely monitoring your condition and monitoring any changes.
4. The pomegranate is a great helper when you want to strengthen your immune system. It is in the first trimester that a woman's immunity is at risk, since the baby, in fact, lives and develops at the expense of the mother. Regular use of pomegranate in the early terms will help to avoid possible colds and other unpleasant diseases.

Important! A pregnant woman should not consume pomegranate pips, as they contain substances that can create a threat of miscarriage.

In the second trimester

In the second trimester it is important for a woman to control her own weight - if it is excessive, the course of pregnancy can be noticeably complicated. At such a term, medical specialists recommend regular moderate consumption of pomegranates. This fruit contains a lot of fiber, which helps to remove harmful substances from the body, thereby controlling weight gain.

Expectant mothers often resort to folk medicine and unconventional methods of treatment. Therefore, if a woman wants to use a decoction based on pomegranate peels, she should know that they contain dangerous toxins that can provoke not only a deterioration of health, but also a threat of miscarriage. All substances that enter the body of the mother, assimilates the child, so it is worth to think about the baby's condition and exclude such methods of treatment. You can use decoctions on the basis of pomegranates in this position only for cosmetic purposes, for example, to wipe your face.

In the third trimester

Late pregnancy is one of the most difficult and responsible periods of childbirth. At this time, the fetus is almost formed into a full-fledged human being, everything is going towards an early delivery. It is important for a woman at this time to keep her health and the baby's condition normal, since this period is associated with many risks, including premature birth.

The pomegranate can also be very beneficial for the later stages of pregnancy. The fact is that its composition contains a large number of useful substances that can alleviate the condition of the expectant mother and normalize the process of nurture.

The use of pomegranates in late pregnancy helps to reduce swelling, due to which the quality of life of a pregnant woman noticeably increases. This product is famous for its diuretic action, due to which the excess fluid from the body is promptly eliminated along with toxins.

As a woman in the third trimester it is important to monitor the quality of her diet, but at the same time not to put on weight, pomegranate is her main helper. The fact is that the fruit contains a lot of fiber and complex carbohydrates. This helps the body assimilate only the necessary substances and get rid of excesses in time. Moreover, the fruit is low in calories, which is why it is so important for the future mother.

It is important for a pregnant woman to know that only pomegranate seeds will benefit her body. It is strictly forbidden to eat the walls and peels of the pomegranate. This is due to the fact that they contain a large amount of toxic substances that can lead to serious intoxication of the body.

Of course, a pregnant woman should understand that the use of the product will benefit only if the measure is observed. You should not consume a huge amount of pomegranate - an overdose of substances will not benefit, and can worsen the condition easily.

How to consume pomegranate correctly

Any food product during pregnancy will not do any harm if you follow the rules of its consumption. The fact is that dosages of all substances that should enter the body of the mother for a successful pregnancy have long been developed. This figure is individual, but in many ways the bodies of expectant mothers are similar - each needs a range of vitamins, and it is worth excluding any medications, as they have a negative impact on the growth and development of the baby in the womb.

There are also certain norms for the consumption of pomegranate, which allow you to get the full range of necessary substances contained in the fruit, while not getting negative consequences.

How much you can eat per day

It is important to remember that the pomegranate is not a panacea, so its consumption is only a prevention of the negative effects of pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to calculate the dose of pomegranate seeds per day. Experienced nutritionists and physicians say that a pregnant woman is allowed to eat one pomegranate after each meal, but in some cases the amount should be reduced by half. This way, all the useful substances will get into the body of the future mother and will have time to be assimilated in it, having a beneficial effect. Exceeding this dosage, most likely, will not bring the desired result.

It is also important to know that the amount of pomegranate consumption is strictly individual, so a woman should independently monitor the reaction of her body and promptly reduce the rate when detecting undesirable effects.

Can I eat pomegranates at night and on an empty stomach?

A pregnant woman should monitor not only what products she eats, but also when she does it. The fact is that at different times of the day the body reacts differently to products, so, wanting to benefit from the fruit, you need to know when to eat it.

Since pomegranate contains citric acid, it is not recommended to eat it on an empty stomach and at night. Such a diet will lead to excessive acidity in the stomach and discomfort. If you regularly eat pomegranate on an empty stomach and before going to bed, you increase the likelihood of stomach diseases, including gastritis and peptic ulcer.

Doctors recommend eating the healthy fruit only after a full breakfast, lunch and dinner - this way, the product will have a base, it will help the rest of the food elements to be assimilated fully. The last meal of pomegranate should take place no later than two hours before bedtime - then the probability of absorption of all the vitamins increases and the risk of increased acid levels is reduced.

Is it possible to eat with pomegranate seeds?

It is known that a pregnant woman at any term is allowed to eat only pomegranate seeds, but, in no case, not the sepals and peel. The fact is that these elements of the fruit contain toxic substances that can lead to unpredictable consequences and serious illnesses.

But it is also important to use pomegranate seeds with caution. For example, in no case the pomegranate seeds should be eaten, because they also contain a lot of toxic substances. To benefit from the product, you should get rid of the seeds, then the benefits of the pomegranate are guaranteed.

The benefits of pomegranate during pregnancy

As the body of the future mother and her baby constantly needs to replenish the supply of vitamins, pomegranate is a necessary food product. In its composition, it contains a huge number of vitamins of different groups, which allow the baby to develop in full accordance with the age, and the future mother - not to feel the unpleasant effects of carrying a child.

In addition to vitamins, the composition of the pomegranate contains a huge number of minerals - almost the entire complex, which is necessary for the future mother. Magnesium, calcium, iron, iodine, phosphorus and other elements can be found here. They are necessary for the construction of bone and muscle tissues of the baby, the formation of its digestive and circulatory systems, as well as to support the process of carrying a child by the mother.

A woman's body, which is carrying a baby, is deprived of many useful substances, including those coming through food. That's why doctors often prescribe specialized vitamins. If there is no desire to take such medications, regular consumption of pomegranates and pomegranate juice will be the optimal solution.

The fruit is especially useful for women with a lack of iron: pomegranates are able to replenish this substance in the body and improve the overall condition. Also, this product effectively increases the function of the immune system, so the mother and her baby get increased protection from colds and other diseases.

As pomegranate has a diuretic property, it will save the future mother from unpleasant swelling. It will remove toxic substances from the body and help the absorption of useful elements. Many mothers, who consumed pomegranate throughout pregnancy, note that thanks to the fruit, they have noticeably improved the condition of their nails, hair and teeth.

Is it possible to drink pomegranate juice during pregnancy

The expectant mother should understand that the greatest benefit to her will only come from fresh pomegranate or freshly squeezed juice. The product, which is sold in the store in the form of juice, is subjected to processing and canning, which deprives it of many useful qualities. Of course, such a drink also has useful properties, but its effect is weaker, valuable substances in it are several times less.

Before drinking pomegranate juice, a pregnant woman should learn a few facts about it:

1. This drink is recommended for pregnant women only in moderate amounts. You can drink no more than one glass of pomegranate juice daily to avoid unpleasant consequences for the body of the mother and the baby.
2. It is not recommended to drink the juice in its pure form, as it negatively affects the state of the tooth enamel and increases the acidity of the stomach. Some mothers mix pomegranate juice with carrot or apple juice, and the positive effect of the drink remains.
3. To protect the oral cavity and tooth enamel, it is recommended to drink the juice through a tube, so you can reduce the drink on your teeth and preserve their condition. After drinking the drink, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with warm water to get rid of the residue.
4. Before buying juice in the store, it is important to carefully read the composition of the drink. Natural juice does not contain sugar and preservatives, and the product with the presence of such substances will not be beneficial.
5. The best option would be to buy juice in a glass container - such a drink retains its useful qualities due to the packaging.
6. It is important to pay attention to the producer - the juice should be produced in the country, which is directly engaged in the cultivation of this plant. This significantly increases the probability of obtaining useful elements. Juice produced in other countries can be dangerous, because during transportation the fruit loses many of its useful qualities.
7. It is important that the juice is made by direct pressing and not on the basis of concentrate. This increases the chance of getting vitamins and minerals. The fact is that a drink based on the concentrate contains a lot of water, which reduces the amount of useful substances in the product.

The best pomegranate juice is the juice directly squeezed from pomegranate kernels, without any additives or flavorings. Only such a product can be useful for a pregnant woman.

How to choose a ripe and sweet pomegranate

The main task before getting all the necessary vitamins is to choose the right tasty and ripe fruit. When choosing, first of all, you should pay attention to the skin - the ripe fruit is covered with a slightly dried crust, in some areas repeating the shape of the grains. A ripe pomegranate is usually fairly large in size and weight, which makes it very easy to distinguish immature from mature visually.

Smooth skin and green petals point to the fact that the fruit is immature and its taste will not meet the requirements of the buyer. Such a pomegranate is usually very sour, and eating it can be harmful to the mother-to-be due to the abundance of acid.

If there are dents on the crust, it means that the product was damaged during transportation and, accordingly, lost some of its useful qualities. The purchase of such a pomegranate should be abandoned, since the possible process of fermentation can be harmful to the mother and her unborn child. Also, the crumpled product will be much less stored.

It is convenient that such a popular fruit, such as pomegranate, is stored for quite a long time. Some fruits retain their taste and useful qualities for the whole year, which allows you to enjoy their taste in any season and at any stage of pregnancy. The best time to buy pomegranate is in November and December, when the fruits are the freshest and sweetest.

The product is perfectly amenable to freezing as a whole, and in the form of grains, for a long period of storage without losing their taste and useful qualities.

Can the pomegranate harm the mother-to-be?

Despite the huge number of positive qualities, its use is not recommended for all pregnant women. There are certain factors that prevent regular vitamin replenishment by this method. Women need to take into account a number of factors in order to consume an exotic fruit was safe.

Under no circumstances should women who are prone to allergic reactions eat pomegranate. The use of the fruit during pregnancy can be not only an unpleasant redness, rash and itching, but also other consequences, which in the future it will be very difficult to fix. Allergies can also manifest themselves in the future baby, so it is important to minimize the use of pomegranates.

If a woman regularly suffers from heartburn during pregnancy, she will have to reduce the amount of pomegranate intake as much as possible. The fact is that this product increases the acidity of the stomach, as a result of which the condition worsens. The same is true for pure pomegranate juice. If you have a strong desire, the juice should be diluted with water and only then consume in small quantities.

If a woman frequently suffers from constipation during pregnancy, she will have to exclude pomegranate from her diet. This fruit has tannin properties, which increases the likelihood of constipation again.

Women who have problems with their teeth during pregnancy will also have to stop eating pomegranates. The acids in the product destroy the tooth enamel, and treatment during pregnancy is contraindicated.

Another important quality of pomegranate and its juice is the ability to lower blood pressure. Therefore, women with low blood pressure are contraindicated to use the fruit, as it can worsen the condition.

When consuming pomegranates, you should be guided by your individual body's reactions. If after eating or drinking pomegranate juice you feel worse, you should exclude the product from your diet and immediately consult a doctor.