Strawberries during pregnancy - the benefits and harm

We all love strawberries since childhood. A ripe and juicy fruit makes us happy only a few months a year, but it manages to enrich the body with vitamins and minerals.

Unfortunately, this delicious berry is not for everyone. Until now, doctors disagree on the benefits of strawberries during pregnancy. Concentrated fruit contains a lot of extracts and acids, which can adversely affect the health of the future mother and child.

That is why before eating berries, you must consult with your doctor and allergist, to be examined by the kidneys and the excretory system.

Chemical composition

A small berry from the garden is a valuable source of vitamins and organic acids. Its composition would envy the most expensive synthetic drug:

• mono - and disaccharides;
• vitamins of groups A, B, C, PP, E, as well as biotin;
• pectins;
• anthocyanins;
• flavonoids (quercitrin, quercetin and others);
• tanning components;
• essential oils;
• essential amino acids (leucine, lysine, methionine, valine, tryptophan, and others);
• antioxidants (procyanidins, anthocyanins, catechins and others);
• replaceable amino acids (arginine, tyrosine, alanine, aspartic, glutamine and others);
• macronutrients (calcium, sulfur, chlorine, magnesium, sodium, potassium and others);
• dietary fiber;
• polyunsaturated acids (omega-3);
• starch;
• ash.

Organic acids (salicylic, phosphoric, glycolic, citric, quinic, malic, succinic, oxalic and others).

Trace elements (iron, cobalt, zinc, manganese, iodine, copper, chromium, fluorine, vanadium, boron, molybdenum, and others).

Despite the rich composition and sugar, strawberry calorie content remains low - only 41 kcal per 100 g.

The benefits of strawberries during pregnancy

Vitamin A or beta-carotene is involved in the development of the organs of vision, the retina of the embryo and the visual pigment (rhodopsin). It also supports the visual acuity of the future mother, improves the condition of the skin and hair.

Ascorbic acid is found in excess in strawberries.Just a few berry stuff fills the daily need for vitamin, providing a powerful immunity and good resistance to colds. Also, the component protects tissues from damage, promotes the absorption of iron.

Vitamin E is needed for the full development of the placenta and the regulation of the gestational circulation in it. It also provides for the formation and regeneration of tissues, mucous surfaces. Vitamin is directly involved in lipid metabolism, thereby preventing the accumulation of cholesterol cells. It stimulates the production of red blood cells, affects the secretory function of the sex glands and the production of hormones that support pregnancy.

The vitamins of group B lay the nervous tube of the fetus from which the brain develops. They also affect the development of the internal organs of the child, his full growth. Future mothers vitamins in combination with magnesium protect against mood swings, increased nervousness and irritability, anxiety.

Dietary fiber along with pectins cleanses the body of toxins, free radicals, slags, metal salts and metabolites.Thanks to the fibers, the stomach and intestines restore motility, thus avoiding digestive problems (chronic constipation or diarrhea).

Calcium together with phosphorus ensures the formation of the musculoskeletal system of the baby, prevents the depletion of the bone and cartilage tissue of the pregnant woman, reduces the risk of fractures and dislocations during childbirth. Calcium provides the laying of baby teeth in a child, supports and protects the enamel of a pregnant woman from destruction.

Potassium stimulates the contraction of the heart muscle, thereby indirectly regulating blood flow and pressure. The macronutrient also ensures the functioning of other internal organs, maintains the body’s acidity and water-salt balance.

Magnesium stabilizes the emotional background of the pregnant, provides a peaceful and long-lasting sleep. It also stimulates coagulation in the blood, affects the rhythm of the heart and pressure.

It is very hard to get iodine from food, but the future mom and child also need it. It provides the formation of the brain, heart and genital organs of the embryo. And for the future mother, the microelement is responsible for the endocrine system.Iodine deficiency is manifested in the form of increased fatigue, loss of concentration, deterioration of appearance (hair loss, brittle nails, etc.).

Sulfur is involved in the metabolism, regulates the secretion of insulin and bile.

Copper in the composition of strawberries controls the work of the endocrine glands (adrenal glands, thyroid gland). It also affects the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to the internal organs. For future moms, copper is important for preventing stretch marks.

Iron provides the body with hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the cells. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women leads to premature labor, the child’s lack of mass and other pathologies.

Zinc stimulates the transfer of "healthy" genetic information, is involved in the production of enzymes and hormones, reduces the risk of mutations and pathologies of the embryo.

Amino acids are part of the muscle tissue, prevent tearing and stretching after childbirth. Lysine is involved in the production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies. Tryptophan provides the secretion of serotonin, which boosts mood, improves well-being and calms the nervous system.Replaceable acid serine promotes the absorption of iron from foods, and glutamic provides the production of proteins.

Doctors advise pregnant women to use strawberries for the following purposes:

• Excretion of excess fluid from the body, which leads to the elimination of swelling;
• normalization of digestion in chronic constipation;
• improvement of appetite with toxicosis;
• comfortable lowering of blood pressure;
• kidney cleansing due to a slight diuretic effect;
• calming the nervous system during stress and insomnia;
• strengthening the hemostasis system, preventing the formation of thrombosis, varicose veins.

Disease prevention: anemia, gestational diabetes, fetal hypoxia, beriberi, hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding.

Strawberry Harm

Many doctors are skeptical about eating berries for pregnant women for several reasons.

1. Organic acids, which are abundantly contained in strawberries, increase the acidity of the stomach, which leads to damage to the mucous tissues. The result of the use can be aggravation of gastritis or ulcers, colitis, as well as increased gas formation, diarrhea.
2. Due to the high content of antioxidants and vitamin C, strawberries are among the strongest food allergens. During pregnancy, there is an acute reaction up to angioedema. Already at 22 weeks old, the child’s immunity becomes susceptible to allergens, so your individual reaction to strawberries can turn into atopic dermatitis in the newborn.
3. Berry tones and strengthens muscles, however, with abuse can cause them to increase their tone. If this happens to the uterine muscles, then there is a high probability of miscarriage or premature birth.
4. Oxalic acid in the composition of the fetus prevents the normal absorption of calcium. It also settles in the body in the form of salts and esters, which precipitate. Thus, stones form in the kidneys, bladder and excretory channels.
5. Small bones, seeds accumulate in the body in the form of slags, damage the sensitive intestinal mucosa.
6. Most of the berries on the market contain pesticides, nitrates and other chemicals that are very harmful to the baby. Early strawberries are “accelerated” with the help of nitrate, and they are protected from pests with nitrophene.Imported fruits are treated with diphenyl to preserve an appetizing appearance and long storage.

Nutritionists consider the optimum dosage for pregnant women to be about 12 pieces per 3 doses per week. That is, at once it is undesirable to eat more than 4 berries. It is forbidden to feast on berries on an empty stomach, and also to combine it with fermented milk products (yogurt, cream, sour cream, etc.).

Of course, it is difficult to refrain from eating very tasty berries. If there is a desire, then try to eat strawberries from the garden, first thoroughly soaked in water. Do not forget that the abuse of sour berries can cause serious eating disorders and acute allergies.

Video: useful properties and vitamins of strawberry