Is It Ok for Pregnant Women to Eat Cherries
Eating Cherries during pregnancy comes with amazing health benefits. Some of these benefits includes treating headaches and migraines, relieving muscle pain, lowering calorie, supporting healthy digestive system, work as expectorant, support blood circulation, prevents high blood pressure, prevents fatigue, prevent gestational diabetes, alleviate swelling and inflammation, promotes brain health and boosts immunity.
The red, juicy, and delicious cherries contain more nutrients than you thought. Enriched with plenty of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, folic acid, etc they have potential to keep major and minor health ailments at bay during the pregnancy.
They don't only taste irresistible but satisfy your taste buds as well. Moreover, the sweet and sour fruit is said to be beneficial to combat nausea and vomit that are common throughout pregnancy.
Expectant mothers can consume cherries as a snack; they can incorporate them into various salads, the fruit can also become a refreshing addition to your desserts. In any form, cherries are a quick source to reap numerous health benefits.
Nutritional Value of Cherries
- Calories 50
- Choline 4 mg
- Copper 1 mg
- Dietary Fiber 2.9 g
- Fluoride 8 mcg
- Folate 5 mcg
- Iron 5 mg
- Magnesium 2 mg
- Manganese 1 mg
- Niacin 2 mg
- Pantothenic Acid 3 mg
- Phosphorus 0 mg
- Potassium 306 mg
- Protein 9 g
- Vitamin A 3 IU
- Vitamin C 7 mg
- Vitamin E 1 mg
- Vitamin K 9 mcg
- Zinc 1 mg
13 Benefits of Eating Cherries During Pregnancy
1. Treats Headaches and Migraines
Experts have revealed that preeclampsia and estrogen hormone fluctuation cause migraines or headaches during pregnancy. The condition could hurt expectant mothers' overall well-being so it shouldn't be ignored. You can consume cherries to combat the factors that contribute to the pains as they are a powerhouse of bioflavonoids and anthocyanins. Both nutrients are necessary to alleviate unnecessary fluctuation in your body throughout the pregnancy.
2. Relieves Muscle Pain
The sweet and sour cherries are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. Nutritionists have recommended consuming at least 2-3 servings of the fruit during pregnancy. This way you can effectively ward off muscular pains and joints inflammation. Expectant mothers experience various inflammations until delivery thus, in a serious condition, consult with your primary care physician and refrain from self-medication in this regard.
3. Low in Calorie
Pregnant women are more likely to be susceptible to weight gain during pregnancy that later become troubling to lose. If you want to maintain your body weight, you need to start incorporating cherries since the day you will conceive. Nutritionists have favored the fruits and vegetables due to the high content of nutrients and low calories. The case is similar to red and delicious cherries as they are abundant in vitamins and minerals and one bowl of fresh serving contains mere 50 calories.
4. For Healthy Digestive System
Your slight carelessness can lead you to digestive problems. To avoid this, nutritionists have advised consuming foods enriched with dietary fiber. The latter has known to ward off indigestion, prevents constant bloating during pregnancy. Moreover, fiber is responsible for regulating your irregular bowel movements. Cherries are a powerhouse of dietary fiber, and only a single serving can impact your upset stomach effectively within less time. Experts have also encouraged expectant mothers to try to treat digestion issues by the natural source as they do not contain chemicals.
5. Work as an Expectorant
Cherries can work well if you have encountered respiratory problems during pregnancy. Many studies have also shown its qualities as an expectorant. You can treat constant coughs and relieve cold, bronchitis, and asthma by incorporating cherries into your daily life. However, don't forget to consider your physicians' advice in case of chronic asthma to avoid risks of further health issues.
6. For Blood Vessels
Nutritionists suggest that fetus require plenty of blood for proper growth that is only possible with properly functioning blood vessels. You can strengthen the latter by consuming adequate amounts of vitamin C regularly. The vitamin is said to strengthen your blood vessels during pregnancy allowing them to pump sufficient blood in this regard.
7. Promotes Better Sleep
You should not try to intake relaxants or sleeping pills during pregnancy and only opt for foods that contain sleep-inducing properties. In case of disturbed sleep patterns, you can consume a bowl of fresh and chilled cherries as they are packed with an antioxidant called melatonin. When consumed regularly, the antioxidant will ward off discomfort and allow you to sleep peacefully for hours. Apart from this, cherry juice can perform the same the function. However, avoid adding sugar as the fruit naturally contains a high content of it.
8. Prevents High Blood Pressure
Various factors contribute to high blood pressure throughout pregnancy, and you should stay careful and try to maintain the high levels. The potassium found in the cherry works well to combat water retention and control your blood pressure that ultimately prevents the risks of preeclampsia. Therefore, consuming cherries regularly can alleviate the risks of high blood pressure.
9. Prevents Fatigue
The plenty of nutrients found in the sweet and sour fruit are a safe source to ward off factors associated with sudden fatigue and dizziness. Pregnant women can consume cherries to reap water, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that function to increase energy levels throughout the pregnancy.
10. Prevents Gestational Diabetes
The risks associated with gestational diabetes increase for the expectant mother. Nutritionists recommend consuming sugar through the natural source to combat the risks of diabetes as it is a serious health problem. It has potential to damage the health of the unborn baby as well. Therefore, do not consume processed foods and sugary beverages during pregnancy and curb your sweet cravings with delicious fruits like fresh cherries.
11. For Swelling and Inflammation
Studies have revealed that the red pigment in the fruit – called anthocyanin can alleviate inflammation without hurting the health of the fetus. Pregnant women encounter pain and frequently swelling thus; it is essential for them to opt for a natural option such as cherries to deal with the condition.
12. Promotes Brain Health
Nutritionists suggest that expectant mothers consumed foods loaded with nutrients that facilitate the healthy brain of the fetus. You can find essential nutrients such as Balaton and anthocyanins in cherries that will strengthen and as well as ensure the healthy development of the fetus brain.
13. Boosts Immunity
Enriched with vitamin C, cherries can do wonders for the health of the immune system of the expectant mothers. Your immune system requires special nourishment as it fights free radicals that contribute to various chronic diseases and infections. It can also effectively reduce the risks of oxidative damage to the body organs.
Bottom Line
Cherries contain plenty of nutrients that are necessary for the health of the fetus. However, do not forget that nutritionists favored moderate consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Written by: Brandi Marcene on October 11, 2021.
Last revised by: Michael Jessimy
Brandi Marcene
Brandi Marcene is a regular contributor to Natural Food Series. Having written on virtually every topic under the sun, Brandi is passionate about health and wellness, particularly the health benefits of different natural products. She has written content for leading brands, including Dell and Haute, as well as other Fortune 500 companies. Brandi has a Bachelor's in Journalism from the Georgia Perimeter College.
Is It Ok for Pregnant Women to Eat Cherries
Source: https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/13-benefits-cherries-pregnancy/