Guava is one of the fruits that is recommended for pregnant women. It can be eaten in any stages of the pregnancy and is safe to consume whether it is semi-ripe, fully ripe, smooth, or crunchy.
But, like most things women eat when pregnant, certain precautions have to be taken. After all, too much of anything can have side effects.
Health Benefits of Guava for Expectant Women
1. Improve immunity
Vitamin C plays a vital role in ensuring a strong immune system. Since guava is rich in vitamin C, it can help increase a pregnant woman’s immunity and metabolism. It can also protect the body from various diseases.
2. Keep blood pressure levels balanced
Pregnant women are susceptible to high blood pressure levels, increasing the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. With a guava’s ability to keep blood pressure levels under control, it is one fruit that expectant mothers should consume.
3. Regulate blood sugar levels
During pregnancy, especially in the 24th week, gestational diabetes becomes a common occurrence. Eating guava helps control blood sugar levels and keeps gestational diabetes at bay.
4. Control blood cholesterol
Aside from balanced blood pressure levels, guava also benefits your heart by controlling blood cholesterol levels. This lowers the risk element for cardiovascular diseases.
5. Improve digestion
When a digestive system is healthy, gastric issues, such as heartburn and nausea, which commonly occurs during pregnancy are avoided. Consuming guava guarantees this.
6. Prevent constipation and hemorrhoids
With a healthy digestive system, constipation is avoided. But due to slow hormones, the problem can still happen and may be accompanied by hemorrhoids. With guava being rich in fiber, eating the fruit will help prevent such conditions.
7. Improve vision
Loss of sight can happen during pregnancy but you can keep this from happening by eating a vitamin A-rich guava. Apart from avoiding loss of site, it can also enhance the vision of both the mother and fetus.
8. Fight germs and infections
Guava is not only rich in vitamin C and A, but also in carotenoids, Vitamin E, isoflavonoids, and polyphenols, all of which are known for their antioxidant properties. All these help fight infections and bacteria.
Guavas’ antioxidant properties can also lower the risk of an expectant mother falling ill.
9. Treat anemia
Most women start their pregnancy without enough iron, to begin with. This is why they’re more likely to become anemic. For this reason, there is an increase in iron requirement for expectant mothers, something that guava can provide.
The fruit has an important iron content that keeps in check the hemoglobin levels.
Because iron deficiency increases the risk of a low birth weight baby or a preterm delivery, pregnant women should add guava to their diet.
10. Curb morning sickness
This is probably the worst part of any woman’s pregnancy. But because of the vitamin C content in guava, morning sickness can be controlled. Once you recognize the start of a morning illness, bite into a guava and eat it without the seeds.
Wash it down with buttermilk to keep your belly stable and keep vomiting away.
11. Calm the mind
Stressing out during pregnancy can have an adverse effect on your condition because of the cortisol being released. Relax your nerves and muscles with an abundant amount of magnesium that you can get from guavas. This will result in stress relief and a light feeling.
Risk of Eating Guava while Pregnant
- Excess consumption of guava means a huge intake of fiber that might cause diarrhea.
- Toothaches or dental problems can be due to eating unripe or semi-ripe guavas. Existing dental problems can exacerbate.
- Listeriosis and other infections can come from eating unwashed or unpeeled guavas
Recommended Ways to Eat Guava during Pregnancy
- Make sure to wash thoroughly and peel the fruit before eating it.
- Consume the fruit in its natural type.
- Eat the white pulp of the guava which is healthier compared with the red one.
- Eat guava in minimal quantities.
Guava is safe to eat during pregnancy. It comes with health benefits too.
Just follow the tips in eating it safely and properly and you are on your way to a healthy pregnancy.
