Most of us use ginger in every dish that we cook in our kitchen. Not only does it add a distinct flavour, but is also very good for our health. Ginger is a super food that is high in nutritional value and adds a zesty flavour to the food. Several studies have proven the beneficial effect of ginger during pregnancy as well. Pregnant women are generally advised to consume ginger throughout pregnancy. It is known to alleviate the side effects of hormonal changes during this phase. If you are pregnant and plan to eat ginger, you must know the right dosage and side-effects as a precautionary measure.
Nutritional Value of Ginger
Ginger is super rich in nutritional value and one piece of ginger contains about
- Choline : 8mg
- Iron: 60 mg
- Niacin: 750 mg
- Copper: 226 mg
- Manganese: 229 mg
- Protein: 82 g
- Selenium: 7mcg
- Thiamine: 025mg
- Zinc: 34mg
- Carbohydrates: 77g
- Sugar: 70g
- Riboflavin: 034mg
- Pantothenic acid: 203 mg
Benefits and Uses of Ginger During Pregnancy
Pregnant women should consume a diet rich in nutrients for healthy fetus and over all development. Ginger is considered to be one of the healthiest food to consume pregnancy as it helps reduce many congenital diseases in the unborn fetus. Listed below are some of the uses and benefits of ginger during pregnancy.
1} Ensures proper blood supply
Ginger is rich in medicinal properties that help ensure proper blood circulation in the body. It also ensures that the required amount of blood is being supplied to the fetus for proper development.
2} Prevents cold and cough
Most pregnant women are prone to cold and cough due to the decreased functioning of the immune system. Ginger is rich in nutrients like magnesium, choline, and folate that helps boost the immune system and prevent the infections like cold, cough, and flu.
3} Prevents heart burn
Heart burn is one of the common medical conditions women suffer from during pregnancy. Ginger is known to have soothing and acid-neutralising properties that help cure heart burn in a natural way. Pregnant women are advised to consume ginger juice with honey to treat heart burn without any side effects.
4} Prevent Nausea and Morning sickness
Are you suffering from morning sickness regularly? If yes, there is a simple solution for you. Ginger has soothing properties that calms down the irritated gastrointestinal tract. Regular consumption of ginger reduces stomach issues and helps fight nausea and morning sickness effectively.
5} Relieves tired muscles
Pregnancy can take a heavy toll on your muscles and bones. Muscle aches and joint pain has become a common complaint in every woman. Ginger is known to be a natural pain reliever that helps relax tired muscles and provide instant relief from muscular and joint pain.
6} Balances cholesterol levels
Heart problems and cholesterol is very common during pregnancy. If left untreated it can cause severe cardiovascular disorders for the mother and pose danger to the developing fetus. Pregnant women must consider incorporating ginger in their regular diet as it is rich in good nutrients and helps balance out cholesterol levels in the body.
7} Reduces bloating
Pregnant women encounter the problem of bloating too frequently. It can be extremely annoying and kill the appetite as well. Bloating commonly occurs due to slow digestion in pregnancy. Bloating if left untreated, can prevent the fetus from absorbing nutrients from the mother. Ginger is known to reduce digestion problems and sooth the intestinal tract. It also neutralises the stomach pH and reduces bloating in pregnant women.
8} Aids in digestion
Pregnancy results in slow digestion for the mother as well as delayed nutrient delivery to the unborn fetus. Ginger is rich in phenolic compounds that help fight gastrointestinal irritation. Ginger also helps increase saliva and bile production in pregnancy. The phenolic compounds present in ginger help reduce gastric contractions. Ginger also contains certain enzymes that treat constipation in pregnant women.
9} Transports nutrients to the fetus
Another incredible property of ginger that no one would have imagined is that it acts as a transporter of nutrients from the mother to the baby. Ginger also helps in proper absorption of nutrients in the mother’s body.
10} Treats inflammation
Swelling and inflammation are common conditions that women suffer in pregnancy. Ginger is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties that helps treat inflammation in the body. Regular consumption of ginger juice or tea is known to control severe cases of inflammation in pregnant women.
11} Regulates blood sugar
Due to sweet cravings, glucose levels are likely to spike up in pregnancy. However, there is an excellent remedy for this. Ginger is known to possess the property to regulate glucose in the blood stream. It also helps beat fatigue, dizziness, and exhaustion in pregnancy.
Precautions While Using Ginger in Pregnancy
Ginger is healthy and beneficial as long as you take it in moderate amounts during pregnancy. It is said that very high concentration of ginger can cause miscarriage or abort the baby. About one gram of ginger root divided into 4 doses per day is the safe and recommended limit of ginger intake during pregnancy. Women having a history of clotting disorders, vaginal bleeding, and gestational diabetes are advised not to consume too much ginger.
Ginger is an overall healthy food and can be consumed by all age groups. Pregnant women with less complications are known to benefit greatly from ginger. If you are pregnant and haven’t started consuming it yet, it is time to start and experience the miraculous benefits.
References
https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/13-benefits-eating-ginger-pregnancy/
