Eating Oranges During Pregnancy - Safe or Not?
Eating Oranges During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, Nutritional Value, And Side Effects
Fruits provide essential nutrients and vitamins that are required for a healthy pregnancy. A healthy and well nutritious diet helps the fetus to grow and develop properly. Include varieties of fresh fruits in your pregnancy diet to keep yourself and your little one healthy. Oranges are one of the best fruits to consume while pregnant as they are a rich source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and many more. All these nutrients play a key role in fetal development. Read this article to know all about having oranges during pregnancy.
Health Benefits of Oranges during pregnancy
Oranges are an amazing source of vitamin C, B6, folic acid, iron, zinc, potassium, and many more vital nutrients. Consuming oranges during pregnancy provides numerous benefits to the expectant mother and her growing baby. Some of the health benefits of consuming oranges during pregnancy are:
1. Promote Foetal Brain Development
Oranges are a great source of vitamin B6 that plays a key role in the baby's brain development. It also helps to reduce morning sickness or nausea, a common complication during pregnancy.
2. Prevent Constipation
Oranges contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. The fiber content of oranges helps in regulating bowel movement thereby prevent constipation that is a common pregnancy complication.
3. Boost Immune System
Pregnant women are more prone to infections or diseases. So, they require a healthy immune system to fight such infections or other diseases. Oranges are a great source of vitamin C that helps to strengthen the immune system of the expectant mother and her baby. Consuming oranges while pregnant not only keeps your immune system healthy but also keeps your little one healthy. Vitamin C also helps to prevent cell damage. Vitamin C also helps the body to absorb the iron that in turn helps to form your baby's bones, blood vessels, cartilage, and tissues.
4. Regulate Blood Pressure Levels
Oranges contain potassium that helps to regulate blood pressure levels while pregnant and also reduces the chances of developing hypertension during pregnancy.
5. Promote Healthy Skin
Oranges are a good source of powerful antioxidants. Eating them on a regular basis can have a soothing effect on your skin. They help to keep your skin healthy and acne-free.
6. Keep You Hydrated
Oranges contain potassium that maintains fluid balance in the body. They contain 88% water content so consuming them is a good option to meet your daily fluid intake requirement during pregnancy. They help to keep you hydrated while pregnant.
7. Prevent Neural Tube Defects
They're a great source of folate that plays a major role in preventing neural tube defects. Neural tube defects can cause spinal cord defects or brain abnormalities in a baby. Folate also helps in the formation of red blood cells and new tissues.
8. Good source of carotenoids
Oranges are fully packed with carotenoids that help to maintain respiratory health during pregnancy.
Nutritional Value of Orange
According to USDA, 100 g of orange contains:
| Calories | 49 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 11.89 g |
| Fats | 0.30 g |
| Protein | 0.94 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.50 g |
| Vitamin A | 230 IU |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.087 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.040 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.274 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.063 mg |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 39 µg |
| Vitamin C | 48.5 mg |
| Potassium | 179 mg |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Iron | 0.09 mg |
| Magnesium | 10 mg |
| Manganese | 0.023 mg |
| Zinc | 0.06 mg |
Side Effects of Oranges during pregnancy
Oranges are good to consume during pregnancy. If you eat them in excess then they can cause some side effects too. Some of the side effects of consuming oranges during pregnancy are:
- The high fiber content of oranges can lead to diarrhea or abdominal cramps.
- Oranges are acidic in nature and overeating them can cause heartburn in pregnant women who've Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
- Oranges contain citric acid and if you consume them in excess then the high content of citric acid can lead to a sore throat.
- They contain a high amount of vitamin C and overconsumption of oranges can lead to premature labor contractions.
- Overconsumption of oranges can increase your calorie intake and sugar levels that can even lead to gestational diabetes.
Orange Juice during pregnancy
Squeeze oranges and prepare fresh orange juice at home. Don't add too much sugar to it. You can take one to two glasses of orange juice per day during pregnancy. Pasteurized orange juice is also a good option to include in the pregnancy diet as it is free from additives and preservatives. It is also a good source of calcium that is required to strengthen your bones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is orange safe to eat during pregnancy?
Oranges are safe to eat during pregnancy. You can also drink orange juice prepared at home. Avoid drinking orange juice that comes in tetra packs as they contain preservatives. Also, avoid drinking juice sold by street vendors.
2. How many oranges can I eat while pregnant?
A daily recommended dosage of vitamin C is 85 mg. If you're consuming oranges along with other food items that also contain vitamin C then make sure to consider the total quantity of vitamin C that you take during the day. Consuming one to two oranges per day is enough. Oranges are acidic in nature so pregnant women who're prone to stomach acidity should limit their orange intake to avoid complications such as heartburn or stomach cramps. You can consult your doctor to know the safe amount of oranges for you to consume while pregnant.
3. What is the best time to eat oranges during pregnancy?
You can eat oranges anytime during the day. You can even eat them on an empty stomach.
4. Is orange good for early pregnancy?
Yes, oranges are good to consume during early pregnancy as they contain folate that is essential to prevent your baby from developing neural tube defects.
5. Is orange juice bad for pregnancy?
Orange juice is good to consume during pregnancy if you prepare it at your home as it is free from additives or preservatives.
6. How many oranges should a pregnant woman eat a day?
A pregnant woman can eat one to two oranges in a day.
7. Which orange juice is good for pregnancy?
Pasteurized orange juice is free from additives and preservatives and is also a good source of calcium that is required to strengthen your bones.
8. Do oranges have folic acid?
Yes, oranges and other citrus fruits contain a good amount of folate. That's why it's beneficial to consume them during pregnancy.
9. Can you drink fortified orange juice while pregnant?
Fortified orange juice contains vitamin D and calcium. If you're lactose intolerant then this is a good substitute for milk. Consumption of this juice can also help to reduce morning sickness.
10. Can you drink orange juice with pulp when pregnant?
Yes, you can drink orange juice with pulp during pregnancy.
11. Can I eat orange seeds during pregnancy?
Orange seeds don't cause any harm to pregnant women or her baby.
12. Is orange juice good for pregnancy nausea?
Oranges contain an ample amount of vitamin B6 that helps to reduce nausea.
13. Are orange peels good during pregnancy?
Orange peels contain various powerful antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Their peel contains high traces of vitamin C. It's good to consume them during pregnancy but fruit peels may contain pesticides or chemical residues. So, wash orange peels thoroughly before using them. Then grate the orange peels and add them to your salad or consume them in any other way.
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Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. The given content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or any diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for more information. Our website doesn't claim responsibility for this information.
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