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During the period when a woman is preparing to become a mother, doubts often arise whether grapefruit can be consumed by pregnant women. The fruit, rich in vitamins and minerals, prevents complications and promotes the proper formation of the fetus, facilitates pregnancy, and relieves toxicosis. You just need to follow the dosage so as not to cause allergies.
Why do pregnant women want grapefruit?
During pregnancy, women's taste preferences change. When the expectant mother wants something sweet and sour at the same time, this tropical fruit can satisfy all requests. In addition, the fruit not only has a pleasant taste. It activates the immune system, protecting mother and child from ARVI.
Grapefruit strengthens the immune system of a pregnant woman, protecting her from viral and bacterial infections
Benefits of grapefruit for pregnant women
During pregnancy, citrus fruits are a source of active components that are needed not only by the expectant mother, but also by the child’s body.
Benefits of grapefruit for pregnant women:
- The tropical fruit regulates blood glucose levels, which allows other organs and systems of the body to function without failure.
- For colds during pregnancy, the high content of vitamin C in grapefruit strengthens the immune system and repels the attack of infection.
- Grapefruit juice reduces the risk of swelling. Thanks to its diuretic properties, excess fluid is removed from the body, along with salts and toxins.
- One medium-sized citrus fruit contains 52 calories. Grapefruit is a good snack for pregnant women who are gaining weight too quickly.
- As the belly enlarges, sleep becomes restless. Pregnant women are recommended to eat grapefruit so that nothing causes inconvenience during the night's rest.
- The tropical fruit is rich in lycopene and potassium. These components lower blood pressure and help keep it within normal limits.
- Grapefruit is rich in folic acid, which helps make pregnancy easier. Quite often, doctors prescribe it in the form of a medicine. Folic acid is found naturally in grapefruit.
- Vitamin A, which is part of the chemical composition of the product, is actively involved in the formation and functioning of the placenta.
- A growing baby puts pressure on the intestines, which makes pregnant women prone to constipation. The fruit is rich in fiber, so it acts as a laxative. Pregnant women with high acidity are also recommended to consume the fruit, as it neutralizes acid.
Grapefruit essential oil increases the production of the hormone endorphin, which improves psychological and emotional well-being.
Eating citrus helps pregnant women keep preeclampsia under control. This is a condition where blood pressure rises and protein appears in the urine.
If eating citrus fruits causes heartburn, or there are other contraindications for grapefruit, during toxicosis it is replaced with essential oil. It is inhaled at the beginning of an attack, after which the pregnant woman feels better. In addition, your mood improves, unpleasant thoughts and anxiety go away.
Is it possible to eat grapefruit during pregnancy?
For the normal development of the child, a pregnant woman should provide the body with a large amount of vitamins and microelements. Grapefruit, although it belongs to citrus fruits, is a dietary product and does not cause allergies.
Grapefruit for early pregnancy
During early pregnancy, grapefruit is consumed in small quantities. The tropical fruit not only helps to cope with vitamin deficiency, provides the growing body with vitamins and microelements, it reduces nausea and the urge to vomit. The fruit increases the body's resistance to external factors, reduces depression that occurs against the background of hormonal imbalance.
If there are no medical contraindications in the form of stomach problems, in the early stages it is recommended to consume citrus in the morning, immediately after waking up.
Grapefruit for pregnant women in the second trimester
In the second trimester, grapefruit helps pregnant women eliminate problems with bowel movements, removes excess fluid from the body, reducing swelling.
In addition, the fruit acts as a preventative for dental health. At 4-5 months, many expectant mothers notice bleeding gums. The growing body of a child takes the lion's share of calcium. To stabilize the condition without resorting to medications, it is recommended to regularly consume several slices of the fruit.
Grapefruit for pregnant women in the third trimester
In the third trimester, citrus fruit helps a pregnant woman’s body cope with excess weight gain, normalizes blood pressure, reduces swelling, and helps eliminate toxins and waste.
The main thing is to know when to stop. If there was no allergy to citrus in the first trimesters of pregnancy, in rare cases it may appear later.
How much grapefruit can you eat?
To avoid an allergic reaction, in the early stages of pregnancy it is recommended to stretch one fetus for a week, or prepare freshly squeezed juice from it.
In the second trimester of pregnancy, the portion of the tropical fruit is increased compared to the early stages. It is allowed to eat one fruit every 2-3 days. But eating grapefruit together with other citrus fruits is unacceptable.
In the third trimester of pregnancy, I limit the dose of tropical fruit to 2-4 slices per day. If an allergic reaction occurs, you should consult a doctor.
Grapefruit juice during pregnancy
Grapefruit juice contains large quantities of vitamin C. The product contains the alkaloid quinine, due to which the juice is an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent.But it is prohibited to take any medications with it.
Neither the juice nor the fruit itself should be consumed in large quantities by pregnant women on an empty stomach. It sharply increases acidity, which leads to heartburn and nausea.
It is not recommended to drink the juice of the tropical fruit in its pure form. Doctors advise pregnant women to mix it with grape, lemon or apple nectar.
How to choose grapefruit
To make grapefruit truly tasty and juicy, you need to know a few secrets:
- The skin of the fruit should be smooth and shiny. If scars, wrinkles or other defects are observed on the berry, it means that the rules for transporting and storing the fruit were violated.
- The ripe, fresh fruit emits a specific, distinct citrus aroma that can be heard even from a distance. If there is no smell, the grapefruit has been treated with chemicals or has been stored for a long time.
- Brown spots on the peel indicate that the citrus is starting to spoil. Such a product will not bring benefits to a pregnant woman.
- The peel of a ripe fruit can be colored in pale yellow tones, as well as rich fiery shades. Pink spots on the surface of a grapefruit are a sure sign that the fruit is ripe, sweet and contains carotenoids in large quantities.
- When choosing between large and small berries, preference should be given to those that are 1.5-2 times larger than a medium-sized orange. A small fruit may be sour or unripe.
- Of two grapefruits of the same size, you should choose the one that weighs heavier. This fruit is ripe and juicy.
- Ripe fruit is elastic.If the grapefruit is soft, it means it has been collecting dust on the counter for a long time and will soon begin to spoil.
If a tropical delicacy is treated with pesticides, fungus will form on it. Such purchases with unwanted microflora on the peel should be avoided.
Possible harm of grapefruit for pregnant women
Despite the undeniable benefits of grapefruit for pregnant women, it can also cause harm. Some expectant mothers are allergic to citrus, even if this was not the case before. In this situation, you will have to stop eating the fruit.
Negative effects of tropical fruit on the body of a pregnant woman:
- causes stool upset;
- increases tooth sensitivity, irritates enamel, leads to the development of caries;
- contributes to the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the abdominal area;
- slows down the production of certain enzymes, impairs liver function;
- increases the acidity of gastric juice.
When should a pregnant woman stop eating grapefruit:
- intolerance to citrus fruits;
- disorders of the kidneys and liver;
- high acidity of gastric juice;
- peptic ulcer.
Grapefruit increases the risk of side effects
If a pregnant woman is taking any medications, she should avoid consuming citrus. This is due to the fact that polyphenolic compounds included in the chemical composition of the fruit block the production of the enzyme that is responsible for processing drugs. The drugs act on the body with double force, causing an overdose effect. After eating the tropical fruit, the effect lasts for three days.
If a pregnant woman knows that she has stones in her kidneys or gall bladder, she should refuse the fruit.Regular use will provoke the movement of stones, which can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Conclusion
Grapefruit helps pregnant women protect against vitamin deficiency and increase immunity when a woman is especially vulnerable to viruses. The main thing is not to overeat or consume tropical fruit while taking medications.
