Besides being delicious, apples are also good for pregnant women to consume. Because, this fruit contains many benefits, ranging from increasing the body's immunity, to helping reduce the risk of children developing asthma and allergies in the future.
The benefits of apples for pregnant women can be obtained because of the various important nutrients contained in them, including fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, magnesium, manganese, copper, potassium, and calcium.
Benefits of Apples for Pregnant Women
The nutritional content in apples provides many benefits for pregnant women. Some of the benefits of apples for pregnant women are:
1. Increase body immunity
One of the benefits of consuming apples during pregnancy is that it can help increase the body's immunity. Vitamin C contained in this fruit can encourage the production of white blood cells that can protect the body from various kinds of infections.
2. Prevent or treat leg cramps
Hormonal changes, weight gain, and lack of mineral intake can make pregnant women prone to leg cramps. now, consumption of apples can help prevent and overcome these complaints, because this fruit contains a variety of important minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
3. Maintain body fluid balance
During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by 45%, so you need more fluids and potassium than before. Apples contain high enough potassium, so eating this fruit can help maintain the body's fluid and electrolyte balance during pregnancy.
4. Improve digestive health
The high fiber content in apples is good for digestive tract health. Fiber needs are met properly during pregnancy can prevent and overcome constipation in pregnant women.
5. Maintain bone health
Apples contain calcium which is good for the health of pregnant women and fetuses. Because calcium is one of the important nutrients that support the growth of bones, teeth, muscles, heart and also the nervous system of the fetus.
Lack of calcium intake during pregnancy not only affects the development of the fetus, but also puts you at high risk of developing osteoporosis in the future.
6. Reducing the risk of birth defects
Consumption of apples during pregnancy can help you meet your daily folate needs. This is important because adequate folate needs during pregnancy have been shown to reduce the risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
7. Reduce the risk of children developing asthma and allergies
A study showed that children born to mothers who ate apples during pregnancy had a lower risk of developing asthma and allergies later in life.
This is probably due to the content of polyphenols, such as flavonoids, in apple skins which have antioxidant activity. Nutrients with antioxidant properties have the ability to regulate the immune system, thereby preventing asthma and allergies.
Make apples a healthy snack so that the benefits of apples for pregnant women can be obtained to the maximum. However, before consuming it, you must wash the apple thoroughly so that there is no more dirt, pesticides, or bacteria that are still attached to the skin.
In addition to eating apples, you also need to eat fruit, vegetables, and other nutritious foods during pregnancy so that your nutritional needs can be met. To find out what the nutritional needs of pregnant women are, you can consult a doctor.