Should we or shouldn’t we eat grapes during pregnancy? Well, the answer to this is shrouded in controversy. While some medics advocate for eating grapes during pregnancy, others suggest that you avoid it.
Grapes contain the following goodness:
Vitamin C and K, Foliate, antioxidants, fiber, organic acids, pectin, immune-boosting oxidants that prevent infections like flavonol, tannin, Linalool, anthocyanins, and geraniol.
Importance of eating grapes
Vitamin B
Grapes contain a lot of vitamin B. This vitamin regulates the metabolism of a pregnant woman, allowing her to provide adequate nutrition to the baby in all trimesters.
Furthermore, vitamin B is an excellent nutritional source as it enhances the excellent growth of the baby.
Rich source of vitamin A for the Eyes
Grapes contain vitamin A, which is important for the development of the baby’s eyesight. Though vitamin A is available in most foods, the one found in grapes is more suited for the baby as it allows healthy food to taste good.
During pregnancy, grapes can be infused into the mom’s diet through grape juice.
Magnesium
Grapes are a rich source of magnesium, which helps reduce cramps significantly. During pregnancy, the cramps cause a lot of discomfort and grapes is the best defense against these pains.
Antioxidant
Grapes act as a brilliant antioxidant for many body organs. It’s mostly known to oxidize the liver kidney and heart. While it does this self-cleansing job, the body becomes healthy and in turn, keeps the baby body healthy as well.
Grapes are the best choice for a pregnant woman who wishes to have a healthy toddler running around.
Prevents diabetes
People suffering from diabetes are at times at an increased risk when pregnant. Besides, women may develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and heals after the pregnancy. The chances of developing diabetes are significantly reduced with consumption up to three servings of grapes.
Defense
Grapes are rich in antioxidants called Linalool, which improves the immune system of a pregnant woman. Linalool help keeps the mother away from infection as well as guarding the baby against diseases.
Therefore, eating grapes is one of the great ways to keep your immune system healthy.
Grape leaves
Grape leaves can be used during pregnancy to slow down the womb bleeding during and after giving birth.
Congealing the blood
The vitamin A and K are great for congealing the blood. This is very useful during labor; it helps alleviate stress and excessing blood bleeding.
Grapes help relieve stress, this is a great snack when one is hungry.
Resveratrol
Maintains and regulates the cholesterol in the body. This helps mitigate against additional weight gain during pregnancy.
Resveratrol also helps fight diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Therefore is very good for any pregnant woman.
Prevents constipation
Grapes are rich in fiber, thus helps in bowel movement, subsequently reducing the chances of constipation.
Prevents anemia
Red grapes reduce the chances of anemia. The iron content in the grapes plays an important role in blood production.
Bowel movement
Grapes contain high water content hence helps softening stool and making bowel movement smoother.
Dangers of eating grapes during pregnancy
- The main controversy is the high amount of resveratrol contained in grapes. The resveratrol causes toxicity in pregnant mothers. This skin of grapes contains a compound called resveratrol. Though it is a healthy nutrient, it’s toxic to pregnant women. The main reason is that resveratrol reacts with misappropriate hormone levels.
- Non-digestible grapes- The digestive system of an expectant woman is weak, and the black grapes skins aren’t digested by the weak digestive system
- Acidity. Consumption of lots of grapes causes nausea and vomiting. Also, massive consumption leads to loose stool or diarrhea.
- Some nutritional experts call out the excessive amounts of pesticides used on the grapes to chase away insects from the fruits.
Nonetheless, these complications can be avoided by eating the recommended number of grapes during pregnancy. It is also important to avoid eating grapes on an empty stomach especially if you experience acidity.
Grapes are good in moderation
Under normal circumstances, the daily intake of grapes is okay. However, during pregnancy moderate amounts of grapes are recommended. Always consult a doctor and eat the daily-recommended portions.
We can, therefore, conclude that eating grapes during pregnancy shouldn’t be a problem unless its due to overconsumption. Nevertheless, you should monitor the consumption of grapes during pregnancy.
