The benefits and harms of eating radishes during pregnancy
Radishes during pregnancy saturate a woman's body with 8 essential amino acids, micro and macro elements, groups of vitamins. Nutrients are actively involved in the process of embryonic development. Due to its rich chemical composition, radish helps to stabilize the work of the digestive tract, cardiovascular and endocrine systems in the mother's body. Root vegetables can be used to relieve morning sickness and migraine.
Benefits of radishes during pregnancy
The radish roots contain the largest number of nutrients necessary for the normal development of the embryo. The benefits of the product during pregnancy are due to the presence of the following compounds in its composition.
- Various phytoncidesacting as natural antibiotics. Active plant components inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases in the expectant mother.
- Folic acid, which reduces the likelihood of intrauterine anomalies. In addition, vitamin B9 is involved in the formation of the fetal nervous system.
- Minerals: phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, potassium and sodium. Among the macronutrients, a high content of calcium stands out. Its plasma concentration in the mother's blood is rapidly decreasing, because it is actively spent on the development of the skeleton in the embryo.In order for a woman not to develop diseases of the musculoskeletal system, she needs 1.5 times more calcium than other people.
- Root vegetables contain vitamin K, which affects the rheological properties of the mother's blood. The active substance has an effect on blood clotting, so that during the birth of a child, a woman does not lose a large amount of blood.
- 250-300 g of radish replenish the daily requirement of vitamin C. Ascorbic acid enhances immunity, reducing the risk of developing infectious and inflammatory diseases in the mother. As a result, the likelihood of intrauterine anomalies in the fetus decreases: if the woman's body produces antibodies in a timely manner, viruses and bacteria will not be able to enter the embryo through the pregnant woman's blood.
- Mustard oil is a natural antibiotic. The substance inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract.
- vegetable fiber enhances intestinal peristalsis, helps to reduce the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the mother's blood. Dietary fiber removes slag masses and toxic compounds from the digestive tract.
Radishes are low-calorie foods - the energy value of 100 g of the root crop does not exceed 14 kcal. Therefore, when using it, a woman will not gain excess weight.
The radish contains active enzymes that accelerate the digestion and absorption of complex and simple carbohydrates in the small intestine. Pregnant women often abuse flour and confectionery products, trying to replenish their calorie supply. Because of this, they have problems with stools and excess weight, and the development of gastrointestinal disorders is possible.Radish normalizes digestion and does not allow excess sugar to be deposited in the form of body fat.
Active herbal ingredients improve intracellular metabolism. The root crop relieves a pregnant woman of nausea and migraines. Radishes are often applied to the lower back in late pregnancy to relieve back pain.
Is there any harm from the root crop?
Despite the fact that radishes are useful during pregnancy, if used improperly, a plant product can harm the mother's body. If the general condition of a woman worsens, the fetus may also suffer. Therefore, when using radish, its following negative effects should be taken into account.
- Due to the fact that the root crop is in the ground, a large number of pathogenic microorganisms accumulate on its surface. Among them, the most dangerous are Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Toxoplasma. If you do not clean and thoroughly wash the root crop, you can become infected with infectious diseases.
- Nitrates get into the radish through the soil, the leaves are protected from pests by periodic spraying with pesticides. Long-term washing, disinfection with boiling water and cleaning of the top layer of the root crop helps to reduce the risk of food poisoning. The leaves should be boiled before use.
- Due to the high content of organic acids, radish, when it enters the stomach, causes a fermentation reaction; in the intestine, the biochemical process provokes an increase in gas formation. As a result, a pregnant woman may begin flatulence.
- Unlike other root crops, radish contains a large amount of organic acids and essential oils. These substances are strong allergens. During pregnancy, the hormonal background of a woman is disturbed, the immune system is unstable.Therefore, when using more than 1 bunch of root crops, she may experience an allergic reaction.
- Mustard oil has a negative effect on the mucous membrane of the digestive system, increases the acidity of gastric juice. This increases the likelihood of developing gastritis and gastroenteritis. To protect the digestive tract from these diseases, radish is recommended to be used with food or beetroot juice.
At the same time, when used correctly, radish will bring more benefit to a pregnant woman than harm. It saturates the body with the necessary amount of minerals and vitamins, which are actively involved in the formation of the fetus.
How to use radish during pregnancy?
Radishes during pregnancy are recommended to be consumed raw: add to salads or side dishes. A small amount of freshly squeezed juice can be mixed with fresh vegetable juices. Juice obtained from tomatoes, carrots and beets reduces the negative impact of mustard oil on the mucous membranes of the stomach. In addition to root crops, it is allowed to eat radish tops. Per day, 250 g of raw vegetables are allowed, up to 500 g of the product in cooked form, or 1 tbsp. l. freshly squeezed juice.
During gestation, a woman suffers from migraines, nervousness and insomnia. To get rid of unpleasant symptoms in early and late pregnancy, it is recommended to use radish according to the following rules.
- For headaches, root juice should be rubbed on the bridge of the nose, temporal and frontal lobes - relief can be felt after 10 minutes.
- Applying a nourishing mask will help improve the condition of hair and skin during pregnancy. Mix 3 tbsp. l. olive oil or flax with 1 tsp. starch.Finely grated 2-3 radishes are added to the resulting mass and mixed thoroughly. It is allowed to make a mask in a blender. Before applying the resulting composition, wash your face with soap and water. The mask should be applied for 10 minutes. When applying a mask to your hair, wrap your head with cling film and wait 40 minutes. After the required time, you need to wash off the mask with shampoo.
- To eliminate chronic constipation, you need to prepare a decoction of radish leaves. To create it, you need 1 tbsp. l. fresh chopped greens pour 250 ml of hot water and leave for 60 minutes to infuse in a warm place. The resulting decoction should be taken in 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
Regular use of radish and folk remedies based on it will help facilitate pregnancy.
Is it possible to eat radishes for pregnant women in the later stages?
The roots of the plant have a high content of moisture and dietary fiber. Due to their low calorie content, many people believe that radishes can be eaten in unlimited quantities. At the same time, due to the high content of mustard oil it is not recommended to use more than 250 g of raw product.
With the correct use of the root crop in the body of a pregnant woman, the serum level of bad cholesterol decreases. Vegetable fibers increase the peristalsis of the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract, so there are no problems with constipation. The latter occur due to compression of the digestive tract by the growing uterus with the fetus. Due to the beneficial properties of radishes, you can include them in your daily diet in the third trimester of pregnancy. At the end of the second trimester of embryonic development, women in position may experience gestational diabetes. The pathological condition resolves on its own after childbirth.This disease develops due to the fact that at the end of pregnancy the pancreas cannot cope with the high load and cannot process all the incoming sugar.
In connection with the violation of the work of the endocrine gland in the blood of a woman, the concentration of glucose increases. In such a situation, radishes, saturated with organic acids and mustard oil, help stabilize sugar levels and improve the condition of the pregnant woman. The main problem at the end of pregnancy is edema - due to increasing weight, excess fluid accumulates in the lower leg area. To remove it, you need to drink radish juice.
It has a strong diuretic effect, so it helps to cope with swelling of the lower extremities.
For information on what is useful to eat during pregnancy, see the following video.