Cranberries - sour marsh berry. Its composition is rich in vitamins, minerals, pectin, tannins (organic flavors), antioxidants (elements that slow down the oxidation processes and prevent the rapid aging of the body), essential oils, as well as acids of organic origin. With this set of useful ingredients, is it possible to consume cranberries during pregnancy - a question that often worries women who are expecting a baby.
Generally speaking, the berry mainly has a beneficial effect on the body of the expectant mother. But you must understand that eating cranberries during pregnancy should be limited. In addition, among women in position, there is a certain risk group, which it is advisable to exclude this berry from their daily diet or to use it in limited quantities.
What is the use of a berry?
The use of cranberry products during pregnancy favorably affects:
- The general condition of the nervous system. In particular, the components of the berry normalize the sleep and mood of a pregnant woman, reduce the level of nervousness in the postpartum period.
- The state of organs and systems of the female body (cardiovascular, genitourinary, digestive).
The main benefits of cranberries during pregnancy are as follows:
- Prevention of viral colds and other infectious diseases during pregnancy. A high content of vitamin C helps strengthen immunity. It is recommended to use this berry during epidemics of diseases, as well as in the winter-spring period, during vitamin deficiency.
- Proper fetal development. Vitamin B9 and folic acid help to improve blood circulation in the fetus and the mother. Such components are important not only during early pregnancy, cranberries are useful at any period of gestation, as the saturation of the mother’s body with oxygen significantly reduces the risk of fetal hypoxia (oxygen starvation).
- Prevention and treatment of infections of the urinary system of the female body. Cranberries successfully prevent the retention of pathogenic bacteria on the walls of the stomach and bladder, therefore cranberry drinks are recommended as a prophylaxis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and diseases of the excretory system, in particular for the prevention and treatment of cystitis, urethritis and pyelonephritis.
- Normalization of blood pressure during pregnancy. Cranberries have the ability to lower blood pressure, which is especially important for expectant mothers suffering from hypertension.
Who should not get carried away with a berry?
Like any medicine, cranberries have a number of limitations in its use. The most striking contraindications for adding cranberries to the diet are the following diseases of a pregnant woman:
- An acute course of diseases of the digestive system, in particular ulcers, colitis, gastritis.
- The increased acidity of the gastric juice in the body of a pregnant woman. In such cases, a berry saturated with organic acids will irritate the mucous membranes of the digestive system.
- Low pressure. Cranberries have tonic properties, therefore it is preferable to exclude or limit the consumption of this product by pregnant women suffering from low blood pressure.
- Intolerance to the components of the berry. Individual negative reactions to cranberries (allergies, sudden indigestion) are the reason for refusing to consume this product.
In addition, the abuse of berries in some cases can lead to an increase in uterine tone and a decrease in blood coagulation, so it is advisable to consult a doctor before use. Do not experiment with vitamins on your own.
Different actions on different dates
The beginning of pregnancy is often accompanied by a certain set of new, often unpleasant sensations for a woman. Due to its properties, cranberries during pregnancy in the early stages can alleviate the acute symptoms of toxicosis, improve the general well-being and mood of the expectant mother.
Despite the benefits and beneficial effects on most organs and systems, the consumption of berries and various cranberry drinks must be limited, since excessive consumption of this product can provoke spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) due to increased uterine tone. Therefore, it is recommended to refrain from consuming a large amount of this product in the early stages of gestation.
In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, cranberry juice, saturated with vitamins and minerals, replenishes the deficiency of iron and calcium in the body of the future mother.
In a later period of pregnancy, cranberry components contribute to the normalization of blood circulation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and saturate the blood with oxygen, relieving swelling and preventing the formation of varicose veins. Such an action is useful not only for a woman, but also for an unborn child.
In order to avoid the undesirable effect of eating cranberries during pregnancy, the daily amount of the consumed product should be controlled:
- in the early stages, the permissible consumption rate is from one to two glasses of fruit drink per day;
- from the second trimester of pregnancy and later, the daily norm can be up to one liter of cranberry drink per day.
How to use cranberries for prevention and treatment during pregnancy?
You can enter a berry in the diet in any form. For example, prepare a fruit drink or kissel, squeeze juice from a berry, use it in its natural form with sugar (individually to taste), add it to tea or make an infusion.
Cold recipe
During colds, cranberries are an indispensable tool in strengthening weakened immunity. For a greater effect, you can combine cranberries with other healthy products, such as honey or other vitamin berries.
The following mixture can be used as a means of preventing and treating viral infections: cranberries and lingonberries (about fifty grams each), combined with two teaspoons of honey. Berries must be grated manually or using a blender and mixed with honey. The resulting composition should be taken in a tablespoon three times a day.
Cranberries from edema during pregnancy
Often, expectant mothers have manifestations of gestosis (complications, accompanied by increased pressure and the appearance of edema). The use of a special cranberry decoction reduces the risk of such complications, normalizes kidney function and reduces pressure.
You can prepare such a decoction in the following way: crush one hundred grams of cranberry berries until the juice is allocated, sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar and leave for a quarter of an hour. After that, pour the resulting mixture into half a liter of water and bring to a boil. Reduce gas and cook for five minutes. Cover the prepared broth with a lid and insist (about twenty minutes).
A diuretic prepared in this way is taken one fourth cup before meals. The daily dose of such a remedy can reach two glasses.
For the treatment of cystitis
The infusion, prepared on the basis of cranberry berries, helps to eliminate the inflammatory processes of the urinary system, reduce pain during urination and normalize the function of urine output.
To prepare a cranberry infusion, you need to crush two hundred grams of well-washed berries until juice appears and mix with a tablespoon of sugar. Transfer the resulting mixture to a thermos and pour a liter of boiling water. Before use, the mixture must be insisted for several hours.
Cranberry infusion is taken during pregnancy half a cup twenty minutes before a meal.
To restore the protective system of the body of the future mother
Swamp berry is a storehouse of vitamins and many useful substances for the body of not only pregnant women, but also people with a weakened immune system. Therefore, taking cranberry-based products is useful for improving the general condition, for example in the form of cranberry juice.
Conclusion
Summarizing the above, to the question of whether cranberries can be used during pregnancy, a definite answer can be given: it’s not just possible, but necessary.
The main thing is that the use of this healthy berry should be in moderation. In the presence of certain complications and diseases, a woman should definitely consult a doctor before use.