During pregnancy, your body’s nutritional needs vary as well as you now have to eat to feed two lives. But binge eating is not the way to go. You have to be very careful about meeting your and your baby’s nutritional needs without going overboard. It is no easy task, but don’t be alarmed by this! All you need is a little information and research to keep your pregnancy safe and healthy. Keep reading to learn more about lime juice intake during pregnancy and how it can benefit you during this exciting time. Scroll down!
Is It Safe To Drink Lime Juice During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women often suffer from dehydration. Fruit juices are healthy fluids that can keep a pregnant body hydrated besides providing numerous nutritional benefits. When talking of juices, the first word that springs to mind is lime juice! Like most citrus fruits, lime is a great source of vitamin C. But how safe is lime juice for pregnant women? Many women actually crave lime juice during their pregnancy. This may be caused due to vitamin C deficiency in the body. So, here’s the lowdown: Lime juice is absolutely safe during pregnancy! That made you happy, didn’t it? You can safely drink that glass of juice now!
Benefits Of Lime Juice During Pregnancy
Drinking lime juice during pregnancy has been considered safe by medical practitioners and no side effects have been reported. In fact, this delicious juice can provide additional health benefits during pregnancy:
1. Source Of Vitamin C
Pregnant women often suffer from vitamin C deficiency. Citrus fruits like limes are excellent sources of vitamin C (1). Hence, regular intake of lime juice can provide the body with an additional dose of vitamin C, lowering the requirement of vitamin supplements.
2. Treats Constipation And Indigestion
Constipation and indigestion are a part and parcel of pregnancy. Being a liver stimulant, lime juice controls irritable bowel movement, thus preventing conditions like constipation and diarrhoea. Regular consumption of lime juice may make bowel movements easy, and treat indigestion besides keeping you hydrated.
3. Rich In Antioxidants
The vitamin C content in limes is a powerful antioxidant (1) . Thus, lime juice acts as a great cleanser to flush out toxins and free radicals from your system. As any women, who has experienced pregnancy, will tell you – a cold during pregnancy ain’t fun! Lime juice will definitely help protect you from the dreaded cold and several other infections.
4. Beneficial To The Unborn Child
Not only you, but even your unborn child may derive benefits from the lime juice you consume! Lime contains high level of potassium, which is thought to help build bones in the unborn child and facilitate the development of brain and nerve cells. However, more research is needed in this regard.
5. Helps Manage High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure in not good news for your body, more so when you are pregnant. Chronic high BP can lead to preeclampsia, a life-threatening condition that can force a woman to deliver her baby prematurely. There is a reason why your doctor checks your BP each time you visit her! Studies show that citrus leaf extracts may help lower your blood pressure (2). Lime juice contains magnesium and potassium, which may also help lower blood pressure. However, more research is warranted in this regard. Along with lime juice, following a diet rich in potassium and fiber can be helpful to prevent preeclampsia. You can squeeze half a lime into a cup of water and add two tablespoons of cream of tartar to the solution. Drinking this once in a day in every three days will help normalize blood pressure.
6. Treatment Of Swollen Feet
Edema is not healthy and is not pretty either! Though common, swollen feet can be cumbersome and painful. Here too, lime juice can come to your rescue! Drink a teaspoon of lime juice with a glass of lukewarm water can help in reducing edema during pregnancy. You can also take a warm water bath with Epsom salt and lime juice to soothe pain and swelling.
7. Eases Labor
Pregnancy is one thing, giving birth is another! Most women fear the act of giving birth. And who can blame them? So, how can lime juice help? Lime juice mixed with honey may make labor and delivery easier. You’ll need to consume this concoction from the fifth month of pregnancy until delivery.
8. Other Benefits
Regular intake of lime juice during pregnancy prevents various pregnancy related discomforts like heartburn and bloating. Add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice to 250 mL of water. Diluting the juice with water helps reduce the stomach acid production and heartburn. Make sure you drink the juice 20-30 minutes before a meal to avoid acid reflux. Being a good source of calcium and magnesium, lime juice helps treat ailments like asthma, cold, scurvy, and fever. It also facilitates proper absorption of iron, thus preventing anemia during pregnancy.
Is lime good for pregnancy nausea? Yes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that citrus fruits, their aroma, and their citric acid content may help boost digestion and ease morning sickness and nausea. What kind of juice can you drink while pregnant? Consume fresh fruit juices during your pregnancy as they are good for hydrating and nourishing the body. Moderate consumption is key, as is avoiding excessive sugars. What happens if you drink lime water every day? When consumed in moderation, lime water may help support your overall health as it is rich in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, and other beneficial compounds. What happens if you drink too much lime juice? Drinking excessive amounts of lime juice may damage the enamel on your teeth, increase the risk of tooth sensitivity and caries, and lead to indigestion, gas, and other gastrointestinal issues. Is lime better than lemon? No. Both citrus fruits have a comparable nutritional value (3), (4). Is it OK to drink lime water at night? Yes. The best time to drink lime water is not specified by any scientific studies, so you can drink it at any time.
