Does eating spicy food affect the fetus during pregnancy?

Most pregnant women experience indigestion due to hormonal changes and increasing pressure from the growing uterus. Many pregnant women suffer from heartburn, and spicy foods can exacerbate this condition. Therefore, it is best to avoid foods that can cause heartburn.

1. What does craving spicy food during pregnancy mean?

The process of pregnancy can make you crave all sorts of things like pickles and ice cream, strawberry jam on burgers, marinara sauce on canned tuna... Generally, this condition is caused by hormonal changes, along with other reasons related to the pregnancy process.

There is no definitive explanation for pregnancy cravings, but there is some information floating around the internet about why many women crave spicy food during pregnancy.

Some people believe that this happens more if you are pregnant with a boy, while others wonder if it is some instinct to cool down (literally - eating spicy food makes you sweat and lowers your body temperature).

Either way, your taste buds often change during and after pregnancy, so you shouldn't worry too much if you suddenly crave spicy chili. It may not be a significant sign to pay attention to.

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2. Does spicy food affect the fetus?

Eating spicy food is 100% safe for the fetus. The process of eating spicy food cannot harm the baby. However, a small warning from a study shows that eating certain foods during pregnancy can change the amniotic fluid. Nevertheless, there has been no specific research on the amount of spicy food.

However, your diet can affect the baby's taste buds with all the foods you eat, and later the baby may show a preference for certain familiar flavors. This is not a bad thing.

Pregnant women need to be mindful of food choices to ensure the health of both mother and baby.
Pregnant women need to be mindful of food choices to ensure the health of both mother and baby.

3. Is spicy food safe for you?

Although eating a lot of spicy food is not harmful to the baby, it can cause some uncomfortable side effects for you, such as heartburn, indigestion, and discomfort afterward. If you are not used to eating spicy food, and pregnancy makes you crave chili, you should start slowly.

Pregnant women should not consume large amounts of spicy food or eat it frequently in every meal. Additionally, you need to ensure that you always drink enough water. Prepare food, especially spicy food, safely by choosing high-quality ingredients and washing your hands after handling chili and spicy foods.

4. Side effects during the trimester

In the first trimester, eating spicy food is unlikely to cause many problems, although it can worsen morning sickness. If you are experiencing symptoms of nausea and vomiting all day, spicy food can make things worse.

In the second and third trimesters, eating spicy food can cause: heartburn, due to the growing uterus pushing stomach acid higher into the esophagus, leading to indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. This can increase the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

5. Can spicy food help induce labor?

If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy and thinking about inducing labor, people around you might suggest eating spicy food. In fact, this advice is so common that researchers have actually studied it along with other natural labor induction methods such as walking, sex, and using laxatives.

Researchers conducted a study on 201 postpartum women and found that 50% of them used natural methods to induce labor. Among these, up to 20% used spicy food to complete the task.

Pregnant women can consider various methods to support labor in the last three months of pregnancy.
Pregnant women can consider various methods to support labor in the last three months of pregnancy.

6. Additional precautions

You may need to put some measures in place to prepare for heartburn when eating spicy foods if it helps you to satisfy a strong craving, but remember to eliminate heartburn when you eat spicy food. Pregnant.

Not all over-the-counter medications that treat heartburn, indigestion and nausea symptoms are considered safe for pregnant women. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing severe or persistent GI symptoms, such as: diarrhea, burning pain, cramping, bloating.

With comments about spicy food during pregnancy, mothers should pay attention to adjust their diet accordingly, helping to ensure the best source of nutrition for the development of the fetus and the health of the fetus. little.

For more peace of mind during pregnancy as well as advice on a diet suitable for each mother's condition, you can refer to and choose the maternity service package. With this package, mothers will receive periodic antenatal check-ups, perform routine tests to monitor their health, and specialist doctors will recommend a diet and rest suitable for their health. mother and fetal development at the present time. 

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: healthline.com - webmd.com - babycenter.com
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