Guava is a popular and widely consumed fruit, mainly because of its sweet and sour taste. Due to its unique flavour, even pregnant women find themselves craving this delicious fruit. Beyond its taste, guava is packed with a diverse mix of nutrients, which makes it a great choice for pregnant women. Consuming guava during pregnancy has numerous advantages. However, traditional beliefs about guava being heaty prompt the query: Is guava good for pregnant women? We'll explore guava's nutrient content, address its effects, and assess its suitability in pregnancy, based on current knowledge.
Can you eat guava during pregnancy?
Guava is a vitamin-rich fruit packed with vitamins A, B2, C and E. It also contains significant amounts of copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese, and trace levels of other vital minerals like iron and zinc. So, is guava good for pregnant women? Let’s look at a few benefits of this fruit below:
- Pre-eclampsia, or high blood pressure, is one of the reasons for miscarriages. Guava's high potassium and sodium content helps regulate blood pressure and reduces the danger of blood clots in pregnant women.
- Gestational diabetes can harm both the growing foetus and the mother's health. Guavas possess a low glycaemic index, which inhibits sudden spikes in blood sugar. Its high fibre content regulates sugar content and, therefore, helps prevent gestational diabetes.
- According to research, eating guavas before meals can lower overall cholesterol levels, while increasing good cholesterol. Increased bad cholesterol levels and cardiovascular diseases can negatively impact the health of the foetus and the expectant mother.
- Increased pregnancy hormones can slow down bowel movement and cause constipation and haemorrhoids. The high fibre content of guava relieves constipation and helps prevent haemorrhoids in pregnant women.
- Folic acid may inhibit neural tube defects, which are common congenital anomalies that lead to foetal abnormalities and miscarriages. Guava is rich in folic acid, which helps prevent such defects. Vitamin B, present in guava, also helps in normal cell division and foetal development.
- Guava is high in vitamin C, which aids in iron absorption. Thus, consumption of guava during pregnancy helps prevent anaemia.
- The high levels of vitamin C in guava helps in the improvement of immune functions. Polyphenols, carotenoids, and other vitamins present in guava help the body fight and prevent infections during pregnancy.
- For women, pregnancy may be an especially challenging time. Minerals like magnesium present in guava help relax muscles and nerves. Maternity health insurance can be beneficial during this period, as it helps manage healthcare expenses. It also aids in the prevention of sudden pregnancy cramps.