Is It Safe To Eat Green Beans During Pregnancy?
Green Beans During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, Nutritional Value, And Side Effects
Green beans are a great source of folic acid, vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, fiber, and many more vital nutrients. They're a low-calorie food that key nutrients that are required during pregnancy. They're a good source of vitamins and minerals that your baby needs to grow. Read this article to know all about having green beans while pregnant.
Nutritional Value of Green Beans
According to USDA, 100 g of raw green beans contains the following nutrients:
| Calories | 31 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 7.12 g |
| Fats | 0.34 g |
| Protein | 1.82 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g |
| Vitamin A | 67 IU |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.084 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.105 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.752 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.074 mg |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 37 µg |
| Vitamin C | 16.3 mg |
| Vitamin K | 14.4 µg |
| Sodium | 6 mg |
| Potassium | 209 mg |
| Calcium | 37 mg |
| Iron | 1.04 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Manganese | 0.214 mg |
| Phosphorus | 38 mg |
| Zinc | 0.24 mg |
| Carotene-β | 379 µg |
| Carotene-α | 69 µg |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 640 µg |
Health Benefits of Green Beans during pregnancy
Green beans contain numerous crucial nutrients that your baby needs to grow. Some of the amazing health benefits of green beans during pregnancy are:
1. Prevent Anemia
Green Beans are an excellent source of iron that is required to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your body's organs and tissues. During pregnancy, your body requires an additional amount of iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia. Hence you need to add iron-rich foods in your diet and green beans are one of the great sources of iron. Consuming them during pregnancy helps to prevent anemia.
2. Prevent Birth Defects
Green beans are a good source of vitamins and minerals. They contain an ample amount of folate which helps to prevent neural tube defects and other birth defects in babies.
(Also read: 8 Amazing Benefits Of Chickpeas During Pregnancy)
3. Boosts Immune System
They're a good source of vitamin C which works as an antioxidant thereby boost your immunity. Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals and also protects healthy cells from damage. They contain carotenoids and vitamin A. All of these nutrients fight inflammation and boost your immune system.
4. Good Vision
Green Beans contains vitamin A that plays a major role in your immune health and healthy vision. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin two essential antioxidants that are well known to promote vision health.
5. Loaded with antioxidants
They're fully packed with antioxidants that help to prevent your body from free radical damage. Green beans are low in calories and don't contain saturated fat. Hence they help you to gain a healthy weight during pregnancy.
6. Healthy Bones
Green beans are a great source of protein that is required to maintain healthy bones, organs, and muscles. They're an excellent source of minerals too such as calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, etc. Manganese also helps in the formation of fetal bones and cartilages. They contain calcium and vitamin K and both of these nutrients are required to strengthen the bones. Vitamin K is also known to prevent osteoporosis.
7. Healthy Heart
They contain an adequate amount of magnesium, a mineral that plays a major role in immune, muscle, and, nerve function. It also helps to lower the risk of chronic hypertension thereby promotes a healthy heart. The high level of flavonoids in green beans reduces the risk of heart-related issues. Green beans contain potassium, a mineral that helps to regulate heart rate and blood pressure levels.
(Also read: 10 Most Common Medical Reasons For a C-Section)
8. Detoxifier
Green beans work as a detoxifier due to their diuretic properties. They help to remove unwanted toxins out from your body.
9. Aids digestion
This legume contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. The insoluble fiber content of beans helps to reduce constipation thereby promote a healthy digestive tract.
Side effects of green beans during pregnancy
Some of the possible side effects of consuming green beans during pregnancy are:
- Although allergies to legumes are very rare. But some women can cause allergic reactions such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, swelling, or itching in the face.
- Green beans are a good source of vitamin K that helps in blood clotting so women who're taking blood thinners should be cautious before consuming them.
(Also read: Eating Oranges During Pregnancy - Safe or Not?)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it safe to eat green beans during pregnancy?
Green beans are one of the healthiest food. It is safe to consume green beans during pregnancy as they're highly nutritious and contain vital nutrients that are required for the healthy growth and development of the baby in the womb.
2. How nutritious are green beans?
Green beans are extremely nutritious as they contain key nutrients such as dietary fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, K, iron, magnesium, potassium, and many more. All these nutrients are required for a healthy pregnancy.
3. What are the benefits of green beans during pregnancy?
Green beans contain an adequate amount of nutrients that you need throughout your pregnancy. They contain many vital nutrients such as folic acid, magnesium, vitamins, fiber, calcium, protein, and phosphorus. All these nutrients contribute to the overall development of the fetus.
(Also read: Mango benefits and side effect in pregnancy)
4. Are green beans good during pregnancy?
Green beans provide many benefits to the expectant mother and her baby due to its nutritional value. Consuming this legume during pregnancy is extremely beneficial.
5. What happens if you eat too many green beans while pregnant?
Too much of anything is bad and can cause adverse effects on your health same applies to green beans too. Overconsumption of this legume can cause complications. So, always remember moderation is the key. If you want to get all the nutrients from any food then eat it in the right amount.
6. Is it ok to eat raw green beans during pregnancy?
Raw green beans may contain higher levels of pectin, a compound that can cause digestive issues. So, it's better to avoid consuming raw green beans during pregnancy.
Green beans are among the healthiest and well nutritious foods. They provide numerous health benefits throughout the pregnancy period. They are fully packed with many essential nutrients so you can consume them during your pregnancy phase as well. If you're not sure whether to include beans in your diet or not you can consult your doctor. If your doctor gives you a green signal then include this healthy legume in your pregnancy diet.
Also, read other 'pregnancy-related' articles:
Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and it 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.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and it 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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