Can pregnant women eat ginger?

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Ginger is a food packed with important nutrients and plant compounds that have been shown to reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, many pregnant women have used ginger as a remedy to improve the uncomfortable conditions caused by morning sickness. However, whether consuming ginger is really safe during pregnancy is still a controversial question mark today.

1. The Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is a tropical flowering plant, commonly grown in India, China, the Caribbean, Africa and other warm climates. The root of the ginger plant is known to be a special spice and flavoring. In addition, it is also considered a traditional remedy for a number of diseases in many different cultures for thousands of years.
In folklore, people have used ginger to treat stomachaches and nausea. In addition, it also helps support the digestive system and salivation. Some studies show that consuming ginger can slightly reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. However, women during pregnancy should be careful when using ginger as it can increase the risk of miscarriage, especially in high doses.
Besides, ginger is also useful in relieving nausea symptoms caused by dizziness, motion sickness, surgery or chemotherapy. In addition, ginger also has the ability to reduce menstrual pain in women during the menstrual cycle. A recent study showed that more than 60% of women felt less pain during their period after using ginger. In addition, there is also evidence that ginger can ease osteoarthritis pain, muscle pain, headaches, and rheumatoid arthritis. Laboratory and animal studies have found that, in theory, ginger could provide some of the following benefits:
Lowering cholesterol Lowering blood sugar Reducing swelling Preventing Alzheimer's Disease Preventing blood clotting Clinical experiments show that ginger can help lower your blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Many people even use ginger to apply on the injured skin to relieve pain.
MORE: Drinking ginger tea during pregnancy: Benefits, safety and indications

2. Is it possible to eat ginger during pregnancy?

With the above health benefits, during pregnancy, you can eat ginger or drink ginger tea to relieve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by morning sickness.
According to statistics, about 80% of women have signs of morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy, including nausea and vomiting. Fortunately, ginger contains many plant compounds that can help pregnant women reduce some uncomfortable symptoms. Specifically, in ginger root contains two types of plant compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, which have the ability to act on receptors in the digestive system and promote gastric emptying. thereby helping to reduce the feeling of nausea. Normally, in raw ginger will contain a large amount of gingerols, while shogaols have more in dried ginger.
In addition, pregnant women can also drink ginger tea made from fresh or dried ginger. They may also contain compounds that have anti-nausea effects and are suitable for treating morning sickness during pregnancy.
Furthermore, ginger has been recognized to help relieve the pain of uterine contractions that many pregnant women experience during the first trimester. However, there are currently no specific studies that have analyzed the effects of ginger on cramps during pregnancy.
MORE: Can Ginger and Turmeric Help Fight Pain and Sickness?

3. Some risks when using ginger

When using ginger in small amounts will rarely cause side effects. However, consuming ginger in doses higher than 5 grams a day can increase the risk of side effects such as: Rash, gas heartburn, mouth irritation, upset stomach.
In some cases, eating ginger may increase the risk of bleeding, especially in people with bleeding disorders. Therefore, to be on the safe side, you should consult your doctor about these medications. herbal medicines you are taking, including ginger.
The use of ginger (including eating and drinking ginger tea) is considered safe for pregnant women when in reasonable doses. Experts believe that consuming up to 1 gram (1,000 mg) of ginger per day is safe for pregnant women to help reduce nausea during pregnancy. This is equivalent to 4 cups (950 ml) of packaged ginger tea or homemade ginger tea from 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of grated ginger root soaked in water.
Studies have found no link between ginger consumption during pregnancy and the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, or other complications. However, some evidence suggests that ginger tea should not be drunk or eaten near labor, as ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Additionally, pregnant women who have had a history of miscarriage, vaginal bleeding or blood clotting problems should also avoid ginger products.
Also, if you are taking any medications, you should talk to your doctor before you start taking ginger supplements. They can interact with certain blood-thinning, high blood pressure, and diabetes medications.
In short, pregnant women can completely eat ginger, but should only use it in a moderate amount. Besides, to ensure safety, pregnant women should also regularly go for regular antenatal check-ups and follow a pregnancy nutrition regimen as advised by a specialist.

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References: webmd.com, healthline.com