Is Pomegranate Juice Good For Pregnancy? Here Are 11 Health Benefits You Should Know About!

Pomegranate is a sweet, nutrient-rich fruit that provides several health benefits. It is a popular addition to smoothies, juices, salads, and baked dishes. Pomegranate juice has become more well-known due to its possible health advantages, especially for expectant mothers. Packed with vital nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, this colourful fruit juice is frequently praised for its capacity to promote general health.

Pomegranates are a treasure trove of vitamin C, fibre, folic acid, and potassium. They have been prized for their incredible potential to promote weight loss, prevent cancer, and reduce the risk of chronic disease. As a storehouse of antioxidants such as punicalagin and punic acid, they help eliminate free radicals from oxidising healthy cells in the system.  

A balanced diet is essential during pregnancy for the development of the fetus and the health of the mother. Because of this, many pregnant moms consider pomegranate juice in their diets to benefit from its supposed health benefits. And in this blog, you will find more information on why is pomegranate juice good for pregnancy, it’s many health benefits and its rich nutritional value. Keep reading!

Table Of Contents

1. Is Pomegranate Juice Good For Pregnancy?

2. 11 Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice In Pregnancy 

3. Pomegranate And Its Nutritional Content

4. Dietitian’s Recommendation

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

Is Pomegranate Juice Good For Pregnancy?

Yes, pomegranate juice is good for pregnancy. Pomegranate and pomegranate juices contain folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects that harm the fetus's spinal cord. Folic acid can also prevent congenital disabilities when the baby’s lips or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. 

Pomegranate juice can also help prevent pregnancy complications. It contains antioxidants that may prevent damage to human placental tissue. Researchers from Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine found that pomegranate juice, which is high in polyphenol antioxidants, decreased oxidative stress in the human placenta and limited fetal cell death in culture. Their findings were published in the American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism. 

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between oxygen free radicals and antioxidants. In complicated pregnancies, increased oxidative stress can lead to placental dysfunction, which can lead to preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and premature birth. 

 Women at high risk for pregnancy in the late first or early second trimester may benefit from drinking pomegranate juice to help deliver a healthy baby. 

Also Read: 7 Benefits of Eating Raw Mango During Pregnancy | ToneOp 

11 Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice In Pregnancy

The various nutrients in pomegranate include vitamins and minerals essential for pregnant women. At the same time, the physical constitution of fetuses benefits women in multiple ways:

1. Prevents Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Pomegranate is an excellent source of vitamin C. Pregnant women need this vitamin because it helps synthesise iron from food. If you take iron supplements or eat meals high in iron, your blood will have enough iron storage. 

Vitamin C can even aid in the body's iron absorption. If your body has adequate iron and vitamin C, it will be less likely to experience iron deficiency anaemia, which frequently results in premature birth.

2. Keeps The Digestive System Healthy

Pomegranate is a good source of fibre. Pregnant women should eat vegetables and fruits, which are a great source of fibre, to prevent constipation and other digestive disorders. Pomegranate juice is rich in fibre, making the entire system more efficient and relieving many discomforts by stimulating bowel movements.

3. Helps Fight Free Radicals

Free radicals that form in the body due to various bodily processes are waste products that should be flushed out as toxins. However, some of them can stay in the body and interact with DNA molecules or even healthy cells, damaging the body from the inside out and occasionally even having an impact on the placenta. 

The best way to fight them is with antioxidants, and pomegranates are high in antioxidants. The antioxidants in pomegranates can help repair cell damage and protect the baby's brain from harm.

Also Read: Should You Eat Plums During Pregnancy? Benefits, Considerations And Types 

4. May Provide Relief From Cramps

Cramps and stomach pain during pregnancy are common, and potassium can help curb them. Drinking pomegranate juice daily or including potassium-rich foods in your diet can give you a sure-shot supply of potassium, which can give you instant relief from pregnancy-related cramps.

5. Helps In Neural Tube Development 

Folate is an essential element for the proper mental development of the fetus. A glass of pomegranate juice can cover at least 10% of your daily folate needs, making it an essential part of your pregnancy diet. Folate supports the development of the baby's neural tubes and nervous system and keeps the brain development on track.

6. Reduces Hypertension

Preeclampsia or abnormally high blood pressure are conditions that some pregnant women experience, and they can raise the risk of both maternal and fetal death. Pomegranate juice can help lower blood pressure because it contains a polyphenol called punicalagin, which is known to have bioactive properties. Pomegranate juice can help reduce hypertension and inhibit serum ACE activity.

7. Improves Heart Health

Pomegranate juice is a valuable addition to a pregnant woman's diet due to its positive impact on heart health. 

The antioxidants in pomegranates, like punicalagin and anthocyanins, decrease oxidative stress and inflammation. These two effects are important for supporting good cardiovascular conditions. They improve blood flow, reduce blood pressure, and encourage the overall health of the mother's and baby's circulatory systems. 

Pomegranate juice enhances nitric oxide levels, which is vital for vascular health during pregnancy, supporting improved blood circulation. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties may reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications like hypertensive disorders and preeclampsia, ensuring a healthier pregnancy overall for expectant mothers.

8. Improves Bone Density

Eating pomegranate can help increase bone calcium in pregnant women, and regular consumption can even prevent bone loss and promote bone formation. The main ways that pomegranate juice might increase bone density are by acting as an antioxidant and reducing inflammation. 

Additionally, promoting the antioxidants in pomegranate juice enhances the activity of osteoblasts—the cells that create new bone—which may improve bone growth and lessen bone loss. Combining these two may help preserve bone density and result in stronger, healthier bones.

9. Protects The Fetal Brain

Pomegranate juice's polyphenolic antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Juice consumption during pregnancy can promote healthy fetal development by shielding the developing brain from harm. 

Polyphenols contribute to its ability to safeguard the developing brain. These antioxidants can lessen inflammation and oxidative stress, two conditions that are known to impair brain development. Pomegranate juice helps the fetus's brain develop more healthily and may help prevent neurological impairment by reducing these risks.

10. Prevents Pregnancy Complications

Some pregnant women suffer from problems with the placenta, which can lead to premature birth or low birth weight in babies. These can occur as a result of the oxidative stress associated with gestational diabetes. Antioxidants in pomegranate juice have shown positive effects, and all such risks can be avoided by consuming the fruit juice.

11. Strengthens The Immune System

Pomegranate's antioxidants, polyphenols, and vitamin C improve immunity and help fight infections. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women drink pomegranate juice. These nutrients strengthen the immune system and help the body fight off illnesses. Antioxidants support a strong immune response by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. 

Also Read: Is Pomegranate Good For Diabetes? Know Benefits And Side Effects

Pomegranate And Its Nutritional Content

A pomegranate is a sweet and tart fruit with a thick, red skin. The skin is inedible but contains hundreds of juicy seeds that can be eaten raw or added to salads, oatmeal, hummus, and other dishes. The most common way to enjoy a pomegranate is to cut it open, eat it, or extract the juice and drink it.

Modern research suggests that pomegranates' antioxidants may help protect the heart. Pomegranates' anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties may offer promising cancer treatment and prevention applications. 

The healthiest method to consume pomegranates is fresh; they are high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals and low in calories and fat. Pomegranate juice contains sufficient vitamins C, A, K, folic acid, potassium, and antioxidants. Pomegranate juice is especially high in polyphenols, compounds that belong to a family of antioxidants that may be found in various foods and drinks, such as red wine, teas, nuts, and berries.

Aslo Read: Top 9 Benefits Of Pomegranate Seeds For Pregnancy & Best Ways To Eat Them

Dietitian's Recommendation

As a registered dietitian, I recommend incorporating pomegranate juice into your pregnancy diet for its remarkable health benefits. This drink contains nutrients and antioxidants that fight against oxidative stress to keep both mother and baby healthy. 

Also, it helps in maintaining good cardiovascular function by enhancing blood flow as well as reducing high blood pressure, which is important during pregnancy. Fresh juice or whole fruits are the ideal choice to gain the most benefits from pomegranates. 

                                                                           Dt. Lavina Chauhan

The Final Say 

Pomegranate is a nutritious fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, iron, folic acid, and antioxidants. Because of its bioactive qualities, it can help control blood pressure, strengthen the heart, and shield the developing brain during pregnancy. The vibrantly coloured fruit provides an abundance of nutrition and indispensable therapeutic benefits. It is considered a healthy addition to the diet of pregnant women.

FAQs

1. What juice is best for pregnancy?

Here are the best juices for pregnancy: 

• Orange juice

• Pomegranate juice 

• Carrot juice 

• Beetroot juice 

• Spinach juice 

  
  

2. Can I drink pomegranate juice when pregnant?

Yes, pomegranate juice can prevent health problems during pregnancy. When given to women during pregnancy, pomegranate juice may hold promise for preventing preeclampsia, growth restriction, and premature birth.

3. Is pomegranate juice good for the uterus?

Yes, the active ingredient in pomegranate juice can reduce uterine contractions and treat uterotonic disorders, potentially preventing premature labour and dysmenorrhea.

4. Is pomegranate good for the placenta?

Indeed! Drinking pomegranate juice can help reduce the risk of placental injury.

References

• https://bebodywise.com/blog/pomegranate-during-pregnancy/

• https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pomegranates

• https://www.fertilitycenter.com/fertility_cares_blog/prevent-pregnancy-complications/

• https://www.momjunction.com/articles/pomegranate-and-pomegranate-juice-during-pregnancy_00360961/

• https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/eating-pomegranate-during-pregnancy-is-it-safe/

• https://www.thebump.com/news/pomegranate-juice-baby-brain-development

  
  

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