Cucumbers in pregnancy: benefits and harms

Cucumber is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. He is a nutritious but low-calorie product that can be used raw, added to salads, prepared from it marinades and pickles. Surely, few people have thought about what the benefits of such a vegetable are, especially during the expectation of a baby.

As is known, one of the signs indicating the onset of pregnancy is a craving for pickles. And if you should not be fond of such pickles, then fresh vegetables collected in season, must be present in the menu of a pregnant woman.

This article will consider what they are useful for girls in the position, in what form they are recommended to eat, whether there are any restrictions on their use.

To begin with, it should be noted that more than 90% of the vegetable consists of water. However, this is not ordinary water, it is natural. In its composition, the liquid in this product is close to distilled water. A unique feature of this water is the ability to remove toxins from the body. For this reason, cucumbers are used to eliminate toxicosis in the first months of pregnancy. Vitamins, minerals and fiber account for the remaining 10% of the composition.

One of the important advantages of cucumbers is their low caloric content. So, in 100 grams is concentrated up to 18 kcal, depending on the variety. Therefore, the use of this vegetable in the preparation of salads will not only improve the taste of the dish, but also saturate without increasing body weight.

Can I eat cucumbers during pregnancy

During gestation, women are recommended to eat the fruits of this plant in fresh form. Such a product helps to reduce the likelihood of developing defects in the future child. In addition, the composition of such a vegetable allows to preserve the structure of bones and teeth, as well as to prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids. Vitamin K ensures blood clotting, protecting the body from internal bleeding. This substance also helps to heal wounds.

As for pickles, they load the kidneys, so they should not be consumed in unlimited quantities during this period.

As for the benefits and harms of such a fruit for pregnant women, there are still debates among experts. For example, some are sure that cucumber is difficult to digest in the digestive tract, others - that it poses no danger to a woman. In any case, before introducing the product into the diet of a future mother, certain features should be taken into account, such as age, gestational age, the presence of stomach or liver pathologies, as well as individual preferences.

If you really want to eat cucumbers, and the process gives pleasure to a woman, you should not refuse them. You just need to remember that the amount should be limited.

Among the useful properties of cucumber are the following:

1. The high content of iodine normalizes the activity of the thyroid gland.
2. The presence of alkaline salts prevents the formation of kidney stones and slows the natural aging process.
3. In chronic constipation cucumber is used as a mild laxative. It is especially appreciated by women in the last months of pregnancy.
4. Due to the antibacterial properties of salted cucumbers, future moms can cope with the first symptoms of tonsillitis and acute respiratory viral infections.
5. Potassium in the vegetable normalizes the blood pressure. The product also helps to normalize blood cholesterol levels and improve kidney function.

All these useful properties are deprived of the fruit, which is sold out of season, as it may contain a large amount of nitrates and other chemical additives. Therefore, if a pregnant woman wants to get only benefits from such a vegetable, it is necessary to eat home grown cucumbers.

In the 1st trimester

The use of cucumbers at the beginning of pregnancy helps to cope with the symptoms of toxicosis. In addition, such vegetables contain few calories. This allows you to protect a woman's body from an increase in body weight. The high concentration of water in fresh products protects the expectant mother from dehydration.

The rind of such a crop is a source of dietary fiber, which facilitates the work of the intestines and protects the pregnant girl from the development of hemorrhoids and constipation. And, as we know, these two problems are among the most common during this period.

High levels of potassium are responsible for normalizing blood pressure in a woman's body. Also in cucumbers, scientists discovered substances with powerful antioxidant properties. They include vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, etc. They all strengthen the body's defenses and cope with various infections.

In addition, cucumber pulp contains folic acid, which is essential for normal fetal development. In addition, B-group vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium are found here. All these components ensure the proper development and growth of the future baby.

In the 2nd trimester

This product is useful not only in the first months of waiting for the baby. The second trimester is also a period when a woman should include cucumber in her diet. This is due to the fact that all macro- and microelements contained in the fetal pulp improve the intracellular processes that take place in the body of the pregnant woman. All these compounds are necessary for the formation of organs in the baby. Lack of these substances may cause various pathologies both in the baby and in the future mother.

In the 3rd trimester

In the second half of pregnancy, women often experience edema. It usually manifests itself in the third trimester. It is quite difficult to cope with pronounced edema. To reduce the occurrence of such unpleasant symptoms, specialists recommend pregnant women who are faced with this pathology to monitor their diet. In the diet should not be present salty products. As for fresh cucumbers, they help to reduce edema on the body. Pickled cucumbers have a lot of salt, spices, and vinegar. Such a snack can lead to abdominal pain as well as cause heartburn. This does not happen when eating fresh vegetables.

Women look better when eating enough cucumbers on a regular basis. The liquid they contain improves skin tone. To maximize the diuretic effect after eating cucumbers, they should be eaten fresh without using a lot of salt. If vegetables are salted, a woman gets a lot of sodium chloride, which is a substance that retains fluid in the body.

In late pregnancy, women often experience constipation. This occurs because changes in the hormonal system contribute to a decrease in the contractile function of the intestines. Unfortunately, even girls who had no problems with defecation before pregnancy may encounter such an ailment. To normalize bowel activity, it is recommended to include foods rich in fiber in your diet. The natural fibers of cucumber activate the work of the intestines, as a result of which the stool becomes regular.

How to Eat Cucumbers

The best way to eat cucumbers is to use them raw, pristine, without adding salt or using bread. You can also make a light salad with cucumber using vegetable oil.

You should not remove the skin from the vegetable, as its fibers normalize digestion. Cucumbers can be included in various salads, but it is not recommended to dress them with mayonnaise. Spicy dishes are also contraindicated. This can have a negative effect on the excretory system.

During all nine months in the menu of a pregnant woman should be present this product. In addition to the mass of useful substances that improve the work of the body, it also acts as a great cosmetic.

How much can you eat per day?

Everyone knows that even the most useful medicine can be harmful if the dosage is not observed. This is especially true for the period of pregnancy. Therefore, to get the maximum benefit from the fresh vegetable, it is necessary to keep in mind the allowable amount. While waiting for the baby, expectant mothers can safely eat a couple of lightly-salted cucumbers, the total weight of which is not more than 200 grams. As for fresh, home vegetables, a day is allowed to eat up to 0.5 kg. Canned product is also under a ban until the woman stops lactation.

Is it allowed to eat at night and on an empty stomach?

To answer the question whether it is allowed to eat cucumbers before bedtime, it is necessary to understand the properties of this product. If we talk about the figure, this vegetable is the best dinner. After all, it is both tasty and healthy. There are almost no calories in it. If we talk, in general, about health, then vegetable salad using cucumbers is not the best option. It will not harm the body, but it should be taken into account that the vegetable has a strong diuretic effect. If you eat cucumber late at night, you'll have to get up frequently at night to go to the toilet. In addition, there may be gas formation. At night, digestion slows down, and if there are cucumbers in the stomach at this time, additional fermentation processes will begin. This will lead to the fact that in the morning the woman will have a bloated stomach. Such a product is recommended to add to your diet no later than 7 pm. This way, the food has time to digest, which will protect pregnant women from having unpleasant consequences.

Raw vegetables contain acids that have a strong irritant effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach. Therefore, if you eat a cucumber in the morning on an empty stomach, you may develop digestive problems.

The benefits of cucumbers during pregnancy

General benefits

1. Cucumber skin is a natural dietary fiber. It has a positive effect on the functioning of the intestines. And this is what prevents constipation and prevents the development of hemorrhoids, which most pregnant women face.
2. Potassium in the product is required for normal muscle function and the conversion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates into energy.
3. Such a vegetable contains powerful antioxidants such as retinol and ascorbic acid. Their role is to fight free radicals that lead to the aging of the body. As for the period of pregnancy, at this time they protect the future mommy from infections by strengthening the immune system.
4. Cucumbers can also be called a source of B vitamins. These substances are especially necessary for a woman in the position. They reduce the risk of fetal nervous system abnormalities, contribute to the development of the baby's central nervous system, and are required for the transmission of the genetic code. Such components protect the future child from negative environmental influences and take part in the laying of the endocrine system.
5. Iron is an essential mineral involved in the process of hematopoiesis. This substance protects women from iron deficiency anemia. Magnesium is a preventive measure against cramps, which pregnant women often experience.
6. In addition, the fruits of this plant improve liver function, stabilize blood pressure and normalize heart function. Fresh fruits help quench thirst and take part in tissue renewal.

Fresh

The benefits of this vegetable for humans are great. The liquid contained in it removes dangerous elements from the body and at the same time retains useful components due to its diuretic properties. The consumption of this product improves the cardiovascular and excretory system due to potassium. Fibre and coarse fiber in cucumber restore normal intestinal function, have an expectorant effect and normalize the substance metabolism. Antioxidants in the fresh product reduce acidity, reduce the level of fat deposits.

1. The fruits of this plant are able to restore the hormonal background of a person. This is due to the iodine contained in the fruit. This element adjusts the work of the thyroid gland.
2. Ascorbic acid increases immunity.
3. Magnesium in combination with phosphorus helps with insomnia, improves sleep quality, relieves anxiety, irritability, fatigue.

Healing properties have not only the usual fruits. Bitter cucumbers are also considered useful. Since they contain cucurbitacins, these products have a pronounced anticancer effect. If you remove the skin from them, dry them and then grind them to a powdery consistency, you can get a powder that is effective for burns, diaper rash and pustules.

Salty

As noted above, cucumber pickles are one of the favorite treats of many pregnant women. However, you should not eat a lot of them. First, this is due to the fact that they contain acetic acid, which has a destructive effect on dental enamel and can lead to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Secondly, such a snack stimulates appetite, which is dangerous for gaining excess weight. This can complicate childbirth. Also because of the high salt content, this dish is contraindicated for women who have kidney and vascular diseases, hypertension.

Some pregnant girls refuse to take low-salted cucumbers, believing that they lead to edema. However, it should be taken into account that this problem occurs due to poor kidney function. Such a snack in this case acts only as a provoking factor. For this reason, you should limit their quantity.

Salted cucumbers are useful because they contain lactic acid. And this substance cleans blood vessels from cholesterol plaques. In addition, this product prevents the development of intestinal infections, restores normal intestinal function, and stabilizes metabolism. The treat can be used as an antidepressant to help relieve muscle fatigue after physical activity.

However, you should also consider the negative aspects. Pickles can destroy the enamel of teeth. In addition, they harm the kidneys, resulting in blood pressure spikes. Such a snack can be dangerous for stomach diseases.

Lightly salted cucumbers do not contain a lot of salt and vinegar. Therefore, they can be consumed even by pregnant girls suffering from hypertension. In addition, they will not cause harm in diseases of the digestive and excretory system.

Pickled

As for pickled vegetables, they increase immunity, prevent the development of anemia, improve the condition of dental enamel and strengthen the bone system.

Vinegar makes vegetables effective against pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract. Such a product helps to burn fat and normalize blood glucose levels.

A small amount of sodium in the composition of such pickles has a positive effect on blood vessels and improves muscle activity. The excessive content of this element in the body is fraught with deterioration of kidney function. Vomiting, nervousness and frequent urination may also occur. The product is able to raise blood pressure, as a result of which there are swellings.

With liver and heart disease, such cucumbers are completely excluded from the diet.

Is cucumber juice and brine useful for pregnant women

Cucumber juice is quite popular. Such a drink normalizes the acid-base balance, removes excess fluid and salt from the body, stabilizes blood pressure and prevents the development of cancer. You can rinse your mouth with this juice to prevent problems with your gums and teeth.

As you know, while waiting for the baby, most medications are forbidden. Honey in combination with such a drink can be drunk with the appearance of a dry cough.

Pickled or pickled cucumbers are a traditional cold snack, which is used in food all year round. In addition to the cucumbers themselves, the value also has the brine itself. Such a cucumber drink is characterized by useful substances. It contains ascorbic acid, tocopherol, choline and vitamins B-group. Of minerals, iron, copper, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, selenium and others were found in the brine. In addition, this product contains probiotics, fiber and acids of organic origin. When brine is used in small quantities, the body's resistance is strengthened, which allows it to fight inflammatory and bacterial processes.

For pregnant women, such a cucumber composition is useful for muscle cramps. In addition, it restores electrolyte balance, improves muscle tone and prevents dehydration of the body. If you use such a potion before a meal, it will improve appetite and ensure the absorption of valuable substances from food.

The product normalizes digestion and has a mild laxative effect. Consequently, the product is effective for constipation. The analgesic effect of the composition is also known. This solution is used for joint diseases, injuries and bruises, and for this you can not only drink the brine, but also use it for compresses. This method will help only if the joint pains are not associated with the deposition of salts.

Drink from a jar of pickles can also be used with heartburn. As is known, such an ailment occurs due to the fact that the esophagus increases the production of hydrochloric acid. The brine normalizes the pH level.

Such a solution is characterized by the content of a large amount of iodine, therefore, it has a positive effect on the endocrine system, improving the functioning of the thyroid.

During pregnancy, women should take into account that cucumber composition should not be drunk in large quantities. This is due to the fact that it contains quite a lot of salt. And this can contribute to an increase in blood pressure. In addition, excess salt in the body leads to the appearance of edema.

How to choose the right cucumbers

It is possible to benefit only from fresh and natural cucumbers, in the cultivation of which chemicals were not used. To buy a good product, you can use a few simple recommendations. If there is yellowing on the vegetables, it indicates that they are overripe. The wilted tail is a sign that the fruit was picked a long time ago and is starting to spoil. Fresh produce, on the other hand, should be firm and resilient. If it sags when pressed, it means that the rotting process has already begun.

The size also matters. A cucumber that is 8-10 cm in length is considered most optimal. Fruits that are too large indicate that they are overripe. Too beautiful specimens are also not recommended to buy, since there is a high probability that they are saturated with nitrates.

Pregnant women are allowed to eat fresh, crispy cucumbers, especially those that grow in their own garden. This can be done throughout pregnancy. In addition to their vitamin- and mineral-rich composition, cucumbers also have a unique flavor.

How to Store Cucumbers

In room temperature conditions, cucumbers wilt, lose their flavor and spoil. These vegetables can be stored for 3 weeks in the refrigerator, but at a temperature close to zero. In this case, the humidity should be 80-90 percent. As for greenhouse varieties, they do not prefer such conditions. The best environment for them is thin polyethylene bags and temperatures up to 20 degrees. In this form they can retain their properties for up to one month.

Long greenhouse fruits can be dipped with their tails down into a dish with water. In doing so, the liquid should be changed every day. This will keep them fresh for a long time.

You can also put the fruit in a non-metallic dish with vinegar, but it should be done in such a way that the vegetables do not come into contact with the liquid. In this case, you can use a grid. The container must be tightly closed.

There is another way to store cucumbers. To do this, they must be thoroughly washed, dried and treated with egg white. Such a film allows the vegetable to breathe. After that, send the product to a dark and cool place.

Can cucumbers harm a mother-to-be?

In terms of allergic reactions, cucumber is one of the safest foods. It is easily tolerated by both pregnant women and young children. If an allergy does occur, it is most often manifested by redness and itching. If you have such symptoms, you should refuse to eat cucumber. Such reactions usually occur when taking greenhouse vegetables, which appear in the markets in winter, as well as in early spring. They have accumulated a lot of chemicals that are dangerous not only to the health of pregnant women, but also any other person. If you buy seasonal fruits that grew in the ground, they contain almost no toxic substances.

If a woman eats an unlimited amount of cucumbers during pregnancy, there may be adverse reactions. In this case, there may be intestinal upset, increased gas, shortness of breath, as well as stomach cramps.

Also when consuming the fruit of this plant it is necessary to take into account that they are a kind of diuretic. Uncontrolled use of them in food can lead to frequent urination, which brings a certain discomfort in the life of the future mother. Therefore, you should not eat cucumbers before going to bed. It is best to eat them in the morning and at lunch. In this case, they are better absorbed.