Benefits Of Dates During Pregnancy

Dates offer numerous health benefits to both the expectant mother and her baby. Some of the wonderful benefits offered by dates in pregnancy are:

1. Great Source of Fiber

Dates are a rich source of fiber that helps to keep you away from constipation and regulate bowel movements thereby improve digestion and promote a healthy digestive tract. 

2. Prevent Birth Defects

They're a great source of folate that is well known to reduce the likelihood of birth defects. It also helps to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. 

3. Prevent Anemia

Dates are an excellent source of iron that helps to prevent anemia. Iron deficiency can cause anemia during pregnancy. Getting an adequate amount of iron is very essential to prevent anemia and to boost your energy levels in pregnancy. Severe anemia can lead to several complications such as fatigue, tiredness, chest pain, or shortness of breath. That's why it's good to include iron-rich foods to your pregnancy diet to avoid further complications. 

4. Regulate Blood Pressure

They're a rich source of potassium that helps to alleviate fluid retention, a common complication during pregnancy. An electrolyte imbalance in pregnancy can cause your immune system to become weaker. Potassium helps to fight against such complications. Leg cramping is also a common complication faced by most of the pregnant women that caused due to mineral imbalance. Potassium along with calcium and magnesium are essential to alleviate leg cramping. 

5. Rich in Vitamin K

They're a good source of vitamin K that helps your growing baby to develop strong bones and can improve muscle and nerve function. It also helps in blood clotting that is essential to prevent serious bleeding.

6. Optimal Fetal Growth

Dates are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that you require for a healthy pregnancy. They're fully loaded with vital nutrients that are crucial for the proper growth and development of your growing baby. Hence, consumption of dates during pregnancy helps to promote optimal fetal growth.

(Also read: Popcorn during pregnancy)

7. Healthy Snack

Dates contain natural sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose that makes it a healthy substitute for your sweet cravings during pregnancy. Unhealthy sweets such as chocolates, candies, etc. can cause excess weight gain and dental problems. Combine dates with other nuts  and other dry fruits your healthy snack is ready to consume. 

8. Good source of Protein

They contain an ample amount of protein that plays a major role in the growth and development of the baby. Protein helps to build up your baby's soft tissues and placenta. It also plays a key role in the formation of your baby's nails, hair, skin, organs, and bones. Protein is also essential to maintain maternal health throughout your pregnancy period. 

9. Loaded with Minerals

Dates are fully packed with so many essential minerals such as manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, copper, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. All these minerals play a key role in the healthy growth and development of the fetus. These minerals also help your body to function normally throughout your pregnancy. All of them are vital for a healthy pregnancy.

10. Prevent Cancer

Dates are rich in antioxidants flavonoids such as lutein, ß-carotene, and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants help to protect your cells from the harmful effects of oxygen-free radicals. Consumption of dates while pregnant helps to reduce the chances of developing breast, colon, endometrial, lung, and prostate cancer.

11. Stimulate Uterine Contractions

Dates contain laxatives that help to stimulate uterine contractions and help to ease and shorten labor. It also reduces the chances of postpartum hemorrhage. 

12. Contain Fatty Acids

They contain both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids that help your body release hormones called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help your cervix to dilate and contractions to occur. Hence they're essential for labor.

13. Boost Oxytocin 

Oxytocin is a hormone that stimulates uterine muscles to contract and also increases the production of prostaglandins which increases those contractions further. Hence, the consumption of dates in late pregnancy helps to boost the oxytocin effect that is essential to stimulate uterine contractions.

(Also read: Jackfruit benefits during pregnancy)

14. Strong teeth and bones

Dates are a good source of calcium, a mineral that is essential to strengthen teeth and bones. They also contain magnesium which is vital for bone growth thereby prevent osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle.

15. A healthy alternative to sugar and sweets

Dates are a good and healthy alternative to sugar that you need to make desserts or any other sweet dishes. They contain natural sugar and are a healthy substitute for your sweet cravings as well. Don't overeat them as overeating can contribute to excess weight gain or gestational diabetes. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it okay to eat dates every day when pregnant?

Yes, you can eat them every day as they're a good source of vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants but remember to eat them in limited quantities. Overconsumption can cause several complications. So, always eat them in moderation during your pregnancy period.

2. How many dates should I eat a day while pregnant?

Consuming 3 to 5 dates per day during pregnancy is safe. However, you can consult your doctor to know the safe amount of dates for you to consume during your pregnancy period. 

3. What are the harmful effects of dates during pregnancy?

There is no scientific evidence available that proves the consumption of dates to be harmful in pregnancy. But over-consumption can cause some harmful effects that include:

• Excess Weight Gain

• Gestational Diabetes

• Dental problems

• Increase in blood sugar levels

4. Do dates help with labor?

Consumption of dates in late pregnancy helps to produce hormones called oxytocin and prostaglandins. Both of these help your uterine muscles to contract hence induce labor and make your delivery process shorter and easier.

5. Do dates help soften the cervix?

Some studies claim that eating dates during the last few weeks of pregnancy could help in cervix ripening that may make your labor duration shorter and easier.

Dates are a great source of essential nutrients that plays a major role in a healthy pregnancy. Incorporate them with other nuts and dry fruits and here your healthy snack is ready to eat. They provide numerous health benefits to both the expectant mother and her baby as well. Overeating can cause complications so remember to eat them in limited quantities. Choose those brands that provide organic dates as they're free from any chemicals or preservatives hence best to consume during pregnancy period.

Also, read other 'pregnancy-related' articles:

• 12 bad habits to avoid during pregnancy

• Eating Peanuts (Groundnuts) During Pregnancy - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Side Effects And Is It Safe To Eat

• Consuming Jaggery During Pregnancy - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Side Effects, Is It Safe To Eat

• Eating Nuts During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, Side Effects, Is It Safe & When To Avoid Them

• Eating Walnuts During Pregnancy - Nutritional Benefits, Health Benefits, Risks, and Side effects

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