Research-backed
Image: Shutterstock
Being pregnant comes with a lot of challenges. The most common term that we’ve all associated with pregnancy is “morning sickness”. It is an uneasy feeling that leaves you nauseated and uncomfortable. While this feeling is no stranger to pregnant women everywhere, it does not get any easier to deal with it. Sure, we have a heads up because it is so common with pregnancy but even so, we do not like it and dread the feeling. After all, no one likes to feel nauseous all the time. But what do we do when we feel this way while being pregnant? Do we simply bear with it because it comes with the territory or is there any effective solutions to beat it? Let’s find out.
Image: Shutterstock
Lemon is known to treat nausea and vomiting among people. But can this be a solution for pregnant women too? And if it can be used, the real question is, is it safe to consume during pregnancy? Many people believe that just the aroma of lemon rids you of the feeling of nausea but during pregnancy, feeling nauseous tends to be a little more intense than the rest of the time. So does this aroma help reduce the feeling of nausea? Studies have shown that the scent of lemon is an effective way to reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (1).
Benefits Of Lemon During Pregnancy
Let us look at the different ways in which consuming lemon benefits pregnant women.
1. Nausea
Image: Shutterstock
Pregnant women are common victims of morning sickness. They tend to feel nauseous, which can leave them feeling uncomfortable and uneasy. While this is common, several women prefer to opt for herbal medicine during pregnancy because it lowers the risk of unwanted complications. Lemon is one such ingredient that has been shown to reduce the feeling of nausea during pregnancy while also being safe. Other herbal remedies to treat nauseous and vomiting during pregnancy include ginger, chamomile, and mentha (2).
2. Hydration
Image: Shutterstock
While breastfeeding, doctors recommend that mothers hydrate themselves constantly for healthy lactation. Many women wean their baby to formula milk earlier than usual because of insufficient production of breast milk. Therefore, women who find it difficult to drink plain water can consume lemon-flavored water instead to increase the intake of fluid in the body (3).
3. Immunity
Just like other citrus fruits, lemons have a positive effect on your immunity. It is enriched with antioxidants and micronutrients which boosts your immunity. It also contains antimicrobial properties which enhance immunity health (4).
4. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Image: Shutterstock
During pregnancy, your blood sugar levels can take a hit. The excess weight you have gained during pregnancy may take a toll on your blood sugar levels and lemons can help you control it. A component called naringenin is present in lemons which is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels (5). Lemons also help in purifying your blood.
5. Weight Reduction
It is no secret that lemon helps with weight loss. During postpartum, women are left with extra kilos that they fight to shed off. Lemon juice contains polyphenols that not only help suppress obesity but also help in weight loss by reducing fluid retention (6).
Image: Shutterstock
While there are so many benefits to lemons, it is also recommended that you consume it in moderation. Because too much of anything is bad for you. Lemons can also cause allergies for some people. The aroma triggers respiratory problems such as asthma when used from fresh peels (7). Therefore, it is best to consult your medical professional before consuming anything as it can cause harm to you and your baby.
We hope we could help you solve some of the confusion you had about the consumption of lemons during pregnancy. Comment below and let us know how you deal with nausea and other pregnancy-related issues.
