The benefits of oranges for pregnant women are not small. The nutrients contained in this fruit are believed to have a good effect on fetal growth and development and maternal health during pregnancy.
Latin name oranges Citrussinensis is one type of fruit that is commonly found in tropical climates, including Indonesia. Citrus fruits are usually consumed directly or can also be used as various types of drinks, such as juice.
Not only has a sweet, sour, and refreshing taste, oranges are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber which play an important role for the growth and development of the baby in the womb and the health of the mother.
The Myriad Benefits of Oranges for Pregnant Women
One orange contains more than 100% of a person's daily vitamin C requirement. This amount is more than vitamin C in other fruits in the family citrus. In addition, oranges are also rich in antioxidants and contain a variety of other nutrients, such as fiber, calcium, potassium, and folic acid.
The number of nutrients contained in citrus fruits will certainly provide benefits for pregnant women and their fetuses. The following are some of the benefits of citrus fruits that can be obtained:
1. Help prevent birth defects
For pregnant women or women who are running a pregnancy program, it is very important to get enough folic acid intake. This is because folic acid plays a role in helping prevent brain and neural tube formation disorders, such as anencephaly and spina bifida.
Oranges are known to have a high enough folic acid content. So, consumption of oranges during pregnancy can help pregnant women meet the needs of folic acid and reduce the risk of birth defects.
2. Prevent constipation
Oranges are also a good source of fiber to maintain a healthy digestive system. By meeting adequate fiber intake, pregnant women will avoid constipation problems that are commonly experienced during pregnancy.
In addition, the high fiber content in citrus fruits can also help pregnant women feel full longer, thereby preventing overeating that can lead to excess weight gain. It is also not good if it occurs during pregnancy.
3. Maintain healthy skin
The benefits of oranges for pregnant women that are rarely known are that they help maintain healthy skin. During pregnancy, pregnant women can experience skin that looks dull, dry, and acne prone.
To overcome this problem, skin care from the outside is actually not enough. In fact, there are some skin treatments that are not allowed during pregnancy. So, eating foods that are high in nutrients are also needed to maintain healthy skin.
One of the foods that are good for the skin is citrus fruit. Fruits that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C can help prevent skin damage and help the body produce collagen, so the skin will remain moisturized and firm.
4. Help lower blood pressure
High blood pressure during pregnancy or gestational hypertension can harm the mother and fetus if not treated properly. Therefore, this condition is better to prevent.
Simple ways such as regularly consuming whole oranges or in the form of orange juice can help pregnant women prevent blood pressure problems. This can happen thanks to the high potassium levels in oranges. Potassium is useful to help maintain body fluid balance and regulate blood pressure.
5. Prevent anemia
During pregnancy, the pregnant woman's body needs to produce more blood to support the growth of the fetus. Therefore, pregnant women need more nutrients, especially iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, so that anemia does not occur during pregnancy.
The folic acid in oranges can help increase the production of red blood cells, while the vitamin C content can increase the absorption of iron in the intestines. Therefore, oranges can help pregnant women's bodies produce red blood cells.
The benefits of oranges for pregnant women are very dear to miss. So, pregnant women can start including this fruit as a snack between meals. However, keep in mind that the acidity of oranges can trigger a recurrence of acid reflux disease.
So, you should avoid consuming oranges on an empty stomach, especially if pregnant women have a previous history of stomach acid disease and have entered the final trimester of pregnancy, because at that time the risk of stomach acid going up is higher.
If necessary, pregnant women can consult a doctor regarding the consumption of citrus fruits during pregnancy. Also ask about any nutritious food that can support the health of pregnant women and the growth and development of the Little One in the womb.