Benefits of Eating Bitter Gourd during Pregnancy
Check out here what are the benefits of eating bitter gourd during pregnancy.
1. High Folate Content
Folate is a vital requirement for pregnant women. This mineral helps in keeping the new born safe from the possible neural tube defects. Bitter gourd contains a very high amount of folate (1). It contains one quarter of the daily requirement of this mineral in pregnant women.
2. High Fiber Content
This vegetable is packed with fiber and it gives you a sense of satisfaction (2). It decreases your food cravings for high-calorie food or junk food. This vegetable helps you remain slim even during pregnancy. [ Read: Benefits Of Beetroots During Pregnancy ]
3. Curbs Digestive Tract Disorders
The two major problems faced by most pregnant women around the world are constipation and hemorrhoids (3). The fiber content of bitter gourd helps in lessening these problems.
4. Anti-Diabetic
Bitter gourd has anti-diabetic properties and you must consume it every day (3), (4). The nutrients like charantin and polypeptide-P may also help in fighting gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
5. Antioxidant And Antibacterial
Bitter gourd contains vitamin C which is an antioxidant and helps pregnant women fight against harmful bacteria (2), (3). It also has antibacterial properties that prevent infections from bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and candida albicans which may otherwise cause skin issues (5). It also helps in building the immunity of the expecting mothers.
6. Regulates Bowel Movement
This vegetable can also help in promoting peristalsis that later helps regulate the bowel movement and the digestive system of pregnant women. However, more research is needed in this regard.
7. Great Source Of Nutrients Needed By The Foetus
Bitter gourd is a great source of some vitamins and minerals (6). It contains Iron, niacin, potassium, pantothenic acid, zinc, pyridoxine, magnesium and manganese. It can easily be called a super vegetable as it plays a vital role in the growth of the fetus. [ Read: Vitamins And Minerals For Faster Hair Growth ] This vegetable also contains other vitamins and minerals like riboflavin, thiamine, Vitamin B1, B2, B3 etc. and it is a rich source of calcium and beta carotene.
8. Source Of Other Nutrients
This vegetable also contains other vitamins and minerals like riboflavin, thiamine, Vitamin B1, B2, B3 etc. and it is a rich source of calcium and beta carotene.
Risks of Eating Bitter Gourd During Pregnancy
Causes Toxicity: Bitter gourd consists of alkaline components like resins, quinine, saponic glycosides and morodicine. These are some of the substances that spread toxicity in the human body. This toxicity can lead to stomach pain, nausea, and dimness of vision, vomiting, redness on face, diarrhoea, extreme salivation and weakness of the muscles in pregnant women (7). Excess Consumption Can Cause Stomach Related troubles: Diarrhea, cramps in abdomen and other stomach problems can occur (7). Causes Sensitivity In Some: The seeds of bitter gourd contain vicine that can cause symptoms of favism in some sensitive beings (8). The red arils found in the seed are toxic for children. Therefore, this is not a favored vegetable for pregnant women. Pre-Term Labour: Bitter gourd can also lead to some troublesome uterine activities that can actually lead to a pre-term labor in most women.
Note: No tests have been done on women who consumed bitter gourd during pregnancy. Hence, ensure you consult a gynecologist before including it in your diet. Bitter gourd, if eaten for the first time, can cause cramps in the abdomen, gastritis, and other such stomach-related diseases. But pregnancy is a time which is special. Pregnant women must always consult their gynecologist before choosing their diet, especially when including an item they have not eaten before. Hope you liked our post on eating bitter gourd during pregnancy. It’s always best to keep on the safe side of diets and eat carefully. If you have never tried it before, don’t try eating bitter gourd during pregnancy. Have a safe and healthy pregnancy! Check out the infographic below to learn more about the top reasons to have a bitter gourd during pregnancy. Is bitter gourd good for fertility? No. The presence of triterpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids in bitter gourd may exhibit anti-fertility activity (9). However, more studies are warranted in this regard. Is bitter gourd considered a heat food for the body? Yes. According to Ayurveda, bitter gourd is a heat food for the body. It has hot potency and may cause a burning sensation in the stomach.
