Eating fruits during pregnancy, such as strawberries, is highly recommended. Besides having a delicious taste, strawberries also contain extraordinary benefits for pregnant women and their fetuses, you know. Want to know what are the benefits of strawberries for pregnant women? Check out the following explanation.
Strawberries contain a variety of important nutrients needed by pregnant women and fetuses, including carbohydrates, vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, sugar, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and folic acid. Therefore, this fruit is very suitable as a healthy snack for pregnant women.
List of Benefits of Strawberries for Pregnant Women
Fruit that has a Latin name Fragaria ananassa this can be consumed directly by pregnant women or processed into a variety of foods and beverages, such as juice or smoothies, fruit salad, ice cream, pancakes, cake, until jelly.
The benefits that pregnant women can get from eating strawberries include:
1. Boost immunity
During pregnancy, the body's immunity tends to decrease, so pregnant women are susceptible to various infectious diseases. now, vitamin C and antioxidants contained in strawberries can increase the strength of immune cells and ward off free radicals that can cause disease in pregnant women.
2. Preventing fetal defects
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is needed by the body during pregnancy, because this vitamin plays an important role in the process of normal tissue growth and development. By regularly consuming fresh strawberries every day, pregnant women can avoid the risk of fetal defects and miscarriages.
3. Prevent anemia
Pregnant women are very susceptible to anemia or lack of blood, because of the large number of red blood cells needed for fetal development. This condition cannot be taken lightly because it can pose a danger to pregnant women and fetuses if left unchecked.
Dangers that can occur include an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression.
To overcome this, pregnant women are recommended to eat foods that contain iron, such as strawberries, green leafy vegetables, meat, and eggs. In addition, pregnant women should also regularly take prenatal vitamins according to doctor's recommendations.
4. Energy source
As the fetus ages, its weight will also increase. Carrying a pregnancy that continues to increase in weight can certainly drain the pregnant woman's energy and cause the pregnant woman to tire easily.
In conditions like this, strawberries can act as a source of energy because they contain lots of carbohydrates and sugar. Pregnant women can mix strawberries with other sources of energy and nutrients, such as bananas, nuts, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes.
5. Lowering blood pressure
Some pregnant women experience high blood pressure during pregnancy. Blood pressure that continues to increase during pregnancy must be addressed immediately, because if not, pregnant women are at high risk of developing preeclampsia.
The potassium content in strawberries is believed to be able to help lower the blood pressure of pregnant women. In addition, potassium also plays an important role in overcoming leg cramps that are often experienced by pregnant women.
6. Control blood sugar levels
Another benefit of strawberries is being able to control blood sugar levels. Strawberries are suitable for consumption by pregnant women who suffer from gestational diabetes, because this red fruit can slow down the absorption of sugar in the intestines and reduce the occurrence of insulin spikes after pregnant women eat high-carbohydrate foods.
7. Hydrate during pregnancy
Pregnant women are prone to dehydration because at this time the need for fluids increases. In addition to drinking water regularly, eating strawberries every day can also help meet fluid needs during pregnancy. In fact, 90% of this fruit is water so it is very refreshing when consumed.
8. Overcoming constipation
Constipation during pregnancy is a common complaint that often occurs. To overcome this, pregnant women are highly recommended to eat high-fiber foods, such as strawberries, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
Those are a series of benefits of strawberries for pregnant women that are a pity to miss. However, in addition to strawberries, pregnant women must also eat a variety of other healthy foods, such as vegetables, various types of fruit, nuts, and sources of fat and protein.
In addition, it is important to know that strawberry allergies can occur. Complaints that arise include itching, a red rash appears on the skin, to shortness of breath. If pregnant women experience these symptoms after eating strawberries, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.