Cinnamon during pregnancy - the benefits and harm

In future moms, there is a rebuilding of eating habits, the sense of smell and taste preferences change. That is why pregnant women are increasingly using various spices, such as cinnamon, to prepare various dishes.

In addition to its gastronomic indicators, this oriental seasoning brings extraordinary benefits to the body of a woman and a child, fills it with vitamins and antioxidants, and makes it possible to prevent diseases. But, like all spices, cinnamon has a number of restrictions to the use and in some cases can be harmful.

Cinnamon - a source of vitamins and trace elements

Overseas spice surprises with its diverse composition, thanks to which it is successfully used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetology. And it consists of a number of useful components:

• cinnamic aldehyde;
• organic acids (for example, pantothenic acid);
• mono - and disaccharides;
• eugenol;
• ethers;
• tannins;
• starch;
• resins, etc .;
• vitamins of almost all groups, including choline, niacin, pyridoxine, ascorbic acid;
• macro- and microelements (sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, potassium, zinc).

Vitamin A in the composition of cinnamon is involved in the formation of the visual organ of the baby, the development of the retina. It also provides metabolism in the body of the future mother, helps to maintain visual acuity, which during pregnancy may slightly decrease. Vitamin A is involved in the production of collagen and elastin, improves the health of the skin, hair and nails.

Ascorbic acid provides general and local immunity of the mother and child, produces prevention of colds and viral diseases.

Vitamin E destroys cancer cells and radicals, provides cell regeneration, which is important in the period of a complex rebuilding of the body for carrying a pregnancy. Also, vitamin affects the circulatory system: stimulates blood flow, increases the tone of the vascular walls, promotes the development of the placenta and its circulation. Vitamin E is actively involved in the production of hormones,which support pregnancy and ensure the formation of the child’s internal systems.

Vitamin K affects hemostasis - the blood coagulation system. It is thanks to him that prothrombin is actively produced, which ensures blood coagulation during significant blood loss (for example, during childbirth).

Vitamins of group B are comprehensively necessary for the normal course of pregnancy. B1 ensures the growth of the baby’s organs, strengthens the mother’s CNS, stimulates metabolism in the brain cells. B2 is involved in the development of the visual apparatus of the baby, stimulates the production of hemoglobin, also necessary for anemia of a pregnant woman. It also contributes to the active breakdown of lipids and carbohydrates, preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy. B5 is responsible for the production of adrenal hormones, and also has the ability to reduce the level of bad "cholesterol", thereby clearing the vessels of the future mother. B6 affects the synthesis of neurotransmitters, amino acids, provides energy metabolism, supports the heart muscle with an increasing load at 8-16 weeks (formation of the placental circle).

Cinnamon also contains a significant amount of microelements, without which there is no laying and development of the child’s internal organs. Manganese ensures the development of the skeleton of the baby and facilitates the absorption of calcium. The latter, in turn, lays the bone and cartilage tissue of the fetus, supports the strength of the future mother's teeth. Both manganese and calcium are involved in the process of blood formation and ensure its effective coagulation. Iron in the composition of cinnamon stimulates the production of hemoglobin and prevents the development of anemia. Zinc regulates the level of glucose in the blood plasma, protecting the mother from gestational diabetes. Potassium stimulates the brain and heart, promotes pregnancy and even eliminates edema - the scourge of pregnant women in the later periods. Magnesium provides a good mood of the future mother, prevents the development of pre-and postpartum depression, normalizes sleep, reduces nervousness and anxiety. Sodium is necessary for the regulation of water metabolism.

What is useful cinnamon for the future mother

Fragrant spice has a number of properties that are useful for a pregnant woman and her baby.

1. Cleans the body. The spices are characterized by light diuretic, choleretic and laxative properties, due to which the kidneys, gall bladder, stomach and intestines are cleaned from slags and toxins. Also, a natural diuretic removes excess fluid from the body through urine and sweating, thereby reducing the swelling of internal organs and tissues. The laxative effect of cinnamon helps to overcome the chronic constipation characteristic of pregnancy.
2. Relieves pain. It is known that the expectant mother is undesirable to take chemical drugs for the relief of spasms. Cinnamon helps to dull pain, renal and hepatic colic, intestinal spasms, well removes headache and muscle pain.
3. Produces disease prevention. Antioxidants, organic acids, esters and vitamin C - all of these components act to protect the body, providing the antiseptic properties of cinnamon.
4. Lowers sugar. Cinnamon is often prescribed for pregnant women with type 2 diabetes, as well as with the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
5. Cleans and strengthens blood vessels. Spice dissolves cholesterol plaque, ensuring normal blood flow to the baby.She also tones blood vessels, reduces their fragility, protecting the future mother from blood loss during childbirth.
6. Normalizes digestion. First, the spice stimulates the release of insulin, which increases appetite even during toxicosis and general malaise. Secondly, it gently irritates the receptors of the stomach, promoting the secretion of hydrochloric acid. As a result, product digestion and splitting into components occurs without problems. Thirdly, it participates in metabolism, due to which fats are qualitatively split and are not deposited on the figure, carbohydrates release the necessary energy, and proteins are directed to the growth of the child. Fourth, it stimulates peristalsis and digestion, relieving both constipation and diarrhea.
7. Improves mood. Many doctors believe that the use of spices can reduce irritability and anxiety, improve mood, get rid of obsessive thoughts and apathy.

Restrictions and harm

In order for cinnamon to bring exclusively benefit to the body, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of nutritionists and gastroenterologists.

1. The optimal dosage for pregnant women is half a teaspoon per day.
2. Spice must be added to food and beverages, but in any case not to use in its pure form (powder or stick).
3. It is forbidden to conduct cinnamon aromatherapy during pregnancy. Volatile esters can cause anxiety and active movement of the fetus, increase the tone of the uterus, and even in rare cases provoke an abortion or premature birth.
4. If cinnamon is taken to stimulate uterine contractions before childbirth or to enhance lactation, then treatment should be carried out with the permission and under the supervision of the attending physician.
5. The spice must be chosen correctly, since under the guise of cinnamon they can sell cheaper and less useful cassia, which is difficult to distinguish from the outside. Avoid seasoning in bags in a ground form. The greatest benefit will bring cinnamon sticks - so you know for sure that this is exactly the plant you need. Prefer spices from India or Brazil, avoiding Vietnamese and Chinese varieties (the latter contain coumarin, which can cause liver problems, and migraines).

Gynecologists point to strict contraindications to the use of spices in the case of:

• increased acidity of the stomach, gastritis, enterocolitis or an ulcer in history;
• increased blood clotting;
• heart disease;
• hypertonia of the uterus;
• uterine or vaginal bleeding;
• pregnancy problems;
• individual sensitivity to the composition of the spices, including allergies to other spices, citrus.

With a reasonable restriction and compliance with the recommendations of the doctor, cinnamon will become fragrant medicine on your shelf. Using spice during pregnancy, you will get rid of a headache, build an appetite, restore healthy sleep and strengthen the immune system.

Video: beneficial properties and harm of cinnamon