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If you have an insatiable sweet tooth, you probably know all about Jaggery. Jaggery is a sweet substance, which is mostly used as a replacement for sugar. It has many health benefits, and in India, jaggery or gur holds a special place in the ancient medicinal practice of Ayurveda.
Jaggery offers many nutritional benefits. However, as an expecting mom, you need to be doubly sure of what you consume during this special time. One foot wrong, and you could be facing a host of problems, right from allergies to other infections. So here, we talk about health benefits of jaggery during pregnancy and how safe it is to consume.
Can I Eat Jaggery During Pregnancy?
Yes, you can eat jaggery during pregnancy. In fact, eating jaggery in pregnancy is good for your health. It helps prevent the risk of iron deficiency and anemia. You can either choose palm jaggery, which you get from palm trees. However, once you are in your 2nd month of pregnancy, you need to keep a close watch on how much jaggery you eat. So, consult your doctor before you consider adding jaggery to your diet while you are expecting (1).
[ Read: Eating Sugar During Pregnancy ]
Health Benefits Of Eating Jaggery During Pregnancy:
Jaggery not just adds sweetness to your food preparations, but also offers you lots of health benefits while expecting. Benefits include:
1. Purifies Your Blood:
The right amount of jaggery helps purify your blood during pregnancy. Eating jaggery can ensure good health and safety of your unborn baby (2).
2. A Rich Source Of Antioxidants:
Jaggery boasts of an abundance of antioxidants. So consuming Gur during pregnancy neutralizes free radical activity, prevents cell damage, DNA degradation, and safeguards your fetus from negative health effects and cell damage (3)
3. Prevents Anemia:
Consuming jaggery boosts your red blood cell count (RBC), prevents the risk of anemia, and improves your immunity against several health ailments and infections. Gur provides you all necessary energy while expecting (4).
4. Minimizes Risk Of Digestive Disorders:
Jaggery acts as an effective digestive agent that aids you maintain smooth digestion during pregnancy. Also, the unrefined sugar triggers the secretion of digestive enzymes and prevents the risk of hazardous digestive problems, such as indigestion, intestinal worms, flatulence, and other disorders. Jaggery promotes smooth bowel movements and prevents the risk of constipation troubles in pregnancy (5).
5. Reduces Joint Pain:
Eating jaggery during pregnancy nourishes your bones and joints and strengthens them. Gur also minimizes pain in joints and bones, joint stiffness, and other bone problems while expecting (6).
6. Nourishes Skin:
Jaggery is a rich source of vital vitamins and minerals, so it nourishes your skin and helps you have hydrated, smooth, and healthy glowing skin. Also, Gur prevents the development of wrinkles and blemishes on your skin and cures acne and pimples effectively while expecting (7). (Click to Tweet!)
7. Promotes Healthy Pregnancy:
Jaggery is an excellent source of folate, which is a crucial nutrient to have a healthy pregnancy. So, consumption of jaggery ensures your good health and appropriate growth and development of your fetus during pregnancy (8).
[ Read: Sugarcane Juice Safe During Pregnancy ]
8. Minimizes Water Retention:
High mineral content, particularly high potassium content, in jaggery aids reducing the risk water retention in your body and managing your weight during pregnancy. Gur prevents the risk of edema while expecting. (Click to Tweet!) Potassium helps maintain good electrolyte balance and enhances metabolism, thereby regulates your weight substantially (9).
9. Regulates Blood Pressure:
You need to maintain blood pressure levels appropriately while expecting. Eating foods low in sodium can help you regulate your blood pressure substantially. Jaggery is low in sodium so consuming it during pregnancy helps you have normal blood pressure levels as well as prevents the risk of development of kidney stones, heart-related problems, and stroke (10).
Did you eat jaggery during pregnancy? Did you know these jaggery benefits during pregnancy? Did you experience any side effects? Tell us about your story below.
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