Grapefruit during pregnancy: when can I use it and what are the restrictions?
Even expectant mothers sometimes want to feast on fragrant grapefruits. This article will help you understand when you can eat this fruit during pregnancy, as well as what are the restrictions on its use.
What is useful?
Fruits are an obligatory component of the menu of a pregnant woman. Expectant mothers cannot do without these important products. Fruits are a source of many active ingredients, which are needed not only by the body of a pregnant woman, but also by the body of the fetus, which is actively growing in the mother's belly.
Grapefruit belongs to the fruits, which, of course, you can eat while carrying a baby. But you should use it, not forgetting about certain recommendations. So, some pregnant women should not eat tart fragrant fruits, as this can harm them. If there are no contraindications to taking grapefruits, then they can be safely consumed without fear for the development of any adverse symptoms.
Grapefruit is a source of useful mineral components that the body of a future mother needs. These substances are not only able to improve the well-being of the pregnant woman herself, but they also help to stabilize the course of all processes of intrauterine development of the fetus.
Scientists note that at each stage of its growth, the baby in the womb needs certain vitamins and minerals.A baby can get these components important for its development only through the circulatory network shared with its mother. If a pregnant woman eats grapefruits, then the beneficial substances that they contain also enter the child's body.
In the early stages
Grapefruit contains quite a lot of folic acid - an essential component for the normal course of pregnancy. This substance is simply necessary for the formation of healthy cells in the child's body. Insufficient intake of folic acid in the body is fraught with the development of multiple complications and pathologies, most of which appear after the baby is born.
The physiological need for folic acid is especially significant during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. It is during this period that the laying of the vital organs of the crumbs takes place. In order for the cells of the child's body to form fully, they require many components, including folic acid. The use of grapefruits is an excellent preventive measure for the development of pathological conditions characterized by folic acid deficiency.
The first half of pregnancy is the time when the expectant mother may experience extremely adverse manifestations of toxicosis. This pathology can significantly worsen the well-being of the expectant mother, as well as lead to a decrease in positive perception from the process of bearing a baby. Toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy, according to doctors, is a fairly common pathology.
In this pathological condition, the expectant mother is worried about severe nausea. Vomiting may occur in the morning. With toxicosis, as a rule, appetite also disappears.Such changes contribute to the fact that the expectant mother feels extremely bad, and her mood decreases.
In order to get rid of toxicosis, pregnant women resort to various tricks. Eating acidic foods is believed by many women to help manage adverse symptoms. You can reduce the manifestations of debilitating nausea and other clinical signs of toxicosis with a few slices of grapefruit or a glass of grapefruit juice. Relief of well-being usually occurs on the second day after eating this fruit.
In the second half of pregnancy
You can eat fragrant fruits not only in the early stages of pregnancy. So, drinking grapefruit juice is also useful in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. This drink contains ingredients that can lower cholesterol levels. Bringing this indicator back to normal ensures the maintenance of normal elasticity of blood vessels, which is very important during pregnancy.
The aromatic grapefruit pulp also contains natural vitamin A. This substance is necessary for the placenta to ensure its functions. Insufficient intake of vitamin A with food can lead to quite dangerous consequences. In some cases, such a deficiency can lead to the formation of various pathologies in the baby.
Both in the first and in the second half of pregnancy, the expectant mother may face the problem of frequent respiratory infections. A pregnant woman can get sick with SARS quite simply. The reason for this is the physiological decrease in immunity in the female body at the time of bearing the baby. Such a phenomenon is conceived by wise nature. If this did not happen, then it would be impossible to bear the fetus for all nine months.
But every medal has two sides. A physiological decrease in immunity leads to the fact that the risk of contracting respiratory diseases, especially in the cold season, increases many times over. It can be quite difficult for a pregnant woman to deal with the symptoms of a cold that has arisen. The difficulty lies in the fact that not all medicines, unfortunately, are adapted for use by expectant mothers.
Doctors say that the prevention of such diseases is much better and easier than their treatment. To reduce the risk of developing dangerous infectious pathologies, they recommend that expectant mothers consume a sufficient amount of food products containing ascorbic acid. Natural vitamin C is necessary not only for the expectant mother, but also for her baby. All cells of a small organism need this important component. Ascorbic acid acts as a natural antioxidant that protects the children's body from various diseases.
A natural prevention of colds during pregnancy is the use of various fruits and vegetables, since they contain a lot of natural vitamin C. Grapefruits are also such foods that can be eaten in order to maintain a normal level of ascorbic acid in the body. It is worth noting that in order to maintain optimal levels of ascorbic acid, these fruits should not be eaten in large quantities. Even a small dose will bring many benefits to the body.
A woman remains a woman always, even during pregnancy. Every expectant mother in an “interesting position” still wants to remain beautiful. Various vitamins help maintain a good appearance.One of them is vitamin B5 (pantethenic acid) found in grapefruits.
This substance in the body turns into active metabolites, which have a strong effect. Thus, the resulting substances contribute to the normalization of fat and protein metabolism. Also, metabolites of pantethenic acid have a positive effect on the process of converting carbohydrates in the body. It is no coincidence that grapefruits are recommended for women who want to maintain their weight within the normal range.
Scientists have proven that pantethenic acid is able to have an effect on the mucous membranes, contributing to their healing. This component also has a beneficial effect on the contractile function of the intestine. This effect also helps to reduce the likelihood of constipation.
Panthethenic acid can be called the "substance of beauty". Hair, skin and nails need this component. Manufacturers of many well-known cosmetics include pantethenic acid in their creams and lotions. Such products are used to preserve the youthfulness of the skin, as well as to improve its appearance.
You can eat grapefruit even at the final stage of pregnancy. However, caution must be exercised in doing so. A couple of slices of fruit, peeled from films, is an ample dose for a future mother. If, after eating such fruits, a pregnant woman has a burning sensation in the upper abdomen or severe heartburn, then grapefruits should be discarded.
Many expectant mothers are faced with the problem of edema on the body. As a rule, puffiness increases as the baby grows in the mother's abdomen. The uterus, with the child in it, in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy begins to compress the blood vessels of a pregnant woman.Such specific changes, combined with an increasing load on the kidneys, lead to the fact that edema begins to appear in a pregnant woman.
In order to reduce pastosity, you should consume a sufficient amount of products that have a diuretic effect. Grapefruits have the same effect. Eating even a couple of slices of such fruits helps prevent swelling on the face and body.
In addition, the use of fragrant fruits contributes to the removal of all metabolic products from the body. Getting rid of toxic components also helps to prevent the development of many pathological conditions in both a pregnant woman and her baby.
During pregnancy, not only addictions to certain products change. Digestive processes in the body of a future mother occur in a special way. That is why pregnant women often experience various adverse symptoms.
Grapefruit juice can improve digestion. Such a fragrant, slightly bitter drink helps prevent the development of "heaviness" in the stomach. To improve digestion, the expectant mother can not only drink juices, but also eat fruits.
Possible harm
Introducing any fruit into the diet of expectant mothers should be extremely careful. Incorrect administration can lead to uncomfortable symptoms in a pregnant woman. When eating grapefruits, you should also be aware of the quantity. The optimal dose is 2-3 slices of fragrant fruit per day.
Eating grapefruits is not recommended for women who are allergic to these fruits. Another contraindication is the presence of individual intolerance. The use of fruits in such a situation can be fraught with the development of pathological conditions.
Grapefruit juice contains many substances that have an acidic effect on the body. That is why this drink is not suitable for women suffering from peptic ulcer or hyperacid gastritis. The use of such fruit juice can lead to severe pain in the stomach area.
Caution should also be exercised when drinking grapefruit juice for women who have a high sensitivity of tooth enamel. So, the use of such a drink can provoke the appearance of severe soreness in the area of \u200b\u200bthe teeth and gums. In order to reduce the likelihood of such symptoms after drinking a flavored drink, rinse your mouth well with water.
Grapefruit does not mix well with many drugs. If the expectant mother, due to the presence of some diseases, is forced to take medication, then before including grapefruits in her diet, she should definitely consult a doctor.
For the benefits and harms of grapefruit, see the following video.