1. The Debate Over Whether Pregnant Women Can Eat Peaches
Unlike Western countries, in Vietnam, many pregnant women follow the "experiences" passed down from their ancestors. Although most of these lessons are valuable and practical, they are not always entirely accurate. The debate over whether pregnant women can eat peaches is one of these.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, it is traditionally believed that eating peaches during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or result in the baby being mute or slow to speak.
So, can pregnant women eat peaches? Some say yes, some say no. Even searching for information on the internet yields mixed opinions on this matter. Many doctors and medical experts have confirmed that pregnant women can eat peaches in moderation, but not everyone believes this.
2. Can Pregnant Women Eat Peaches?
Before answering whether pregnant women can eat peaches, let's explore why our ancestors advised against it.
- Firstly, peaches are considered hot, and during pregnancy, a woman's body temperature is usually slightly higher than normal. Eating too many peaches can cause bleeding and miscarriage.
- Secondly, the fuzz on peaches can cause skin irritation for pregnant women.
- Thirdly, peaches are sweet, and eating too many can increase the risk of gestational diabetes.
- Fourthly, the high folic acid content in peaches can cause rashes, nausea, or cramps if consumed in excess.
Perhaps these reasons led our ancestors to advise against eating peaches during pregnancy
In fact, research has shown that peaches contain many nutrients beneficial for pregnant women. If eaten in reasonable amounts (about one peach at a time, 2-3 times a week), they do not pose any significant risk to both mother and baby. So, can pregnant women eat peaches? The answer is yes, and when eaten correctly, they offer many benefits.
3. Benefits of Eating Peaches During Pregnancy
3.1 Nutritional Content in Peaches
One peach contains about 59 calories and many nutrients beneficial for the body, especially for pregnant women, including:
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fat: 0.4g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Iron: 0.4 mg
- Magnesium: 14 mg
- Potassium: 185mg
- Protein: 1.4g
- Vitamin A: 489 IU
- Vitamin C: 10 mg
The nutritional content in peaches is very rich. If we overlook the debate over whether pregnant women can eat peaches, this is a fruit that should be included in the diet during pregnancy.
3.2 Benefits of Eating Peaches
To reaffirm that pregnant women can eat peaches during pregnancy, here are some benefits:
- Natural Source of Vitamin C: Vitamin C plays an important role in iron absorption, bone formation, teeth, cartilage, blood vessels, and muscles for the fetus, and helps reduce the risk of preterm birth. Peaches are rich in vitamin C, about 7 mg/100g of peach flesh. Eating one peach provides 25% of the daily vitamin C requirement.
- Peaches contain folate, which helps protect the fetus from neural tube defects.
- One peach provides 12% of the daily potassium requirement, helping reduce cramps and swelling, and lowering the risk of hypertension for pregnant women.
- Stress and anxiety are common psychological conditions in pregnant women, often due to magnesium deficiency affecting the central nervous system. Peaches, with their high magnesium content, can help stabilize the mental state and improve health during pregnancy.
Peaches contain a relatively high amount of vitamin A, meeting 15% of the daily requirement for pregnant women. Vitamin A helps build strong bones, improve vision, and maintain a good immune system for the baby.
Finally, the mild sour taste of peaches is favored by many pregnant women, helping to alleviate morning sickness.
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