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During pregnancy, pregnant women are recommended not to eat some foods, including eggplant. However, eggplant is a very beneficial food that contains many essential nutrients for pregnancy. If you eat too much and cook it the wrong way, it can cause poisoning. So can pregnant women eat eggplant? If you can eat it, how should you eat it properly?
1. Can pregnant women eat eggplant?
According to oral tradition, during pregnancy, pregnant women should not eat eggplant because they are dangerous to the fetus. So is it true that "can pregnant women eat eggplant?" asked by many people.
In eggplant contains a lot of healthy nutrients such as rich in fiber, low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in folate, potassium, vitamin K, phosphorus and many other essential vitamins and minerals. Therefore, if pregnant women eat eggplant in a moderate amount, it is considered a very safe food to supplement nutrients during pregnancy.
2. Benefits of eating eggplant for pregnant women
2.1 Promote the development of the fetus
Pregnant women eat eggplant to help promote the development of the fetus because eggplant contains a lot of nutrients necessary for the development of the child such as niacin, vitamins A, B, E,... Besides, eggplant also contains minerals such as copper, iron, potassium and manganese to help maintain electrolytes, enhance the supply of hemoglobin and blood.
2.2 Preventing birth defects
Folate in eggplant plays an essential role in the brain development and cognitive ability of the fetus. Therefore, pregnant women eating eggplant in moderate amounts will help reduce the risk of neural tube defects or related diseases.2.3 Regulating blood sugar in pregnancy
Pregnant women eat eggplant to help control the rise in blood sugar, thereby supporting blood sugar control if pregnant women have gestational diabetes.
2.4 Support digestion during pregnancy
Eggplant contains a lot of fiber to help prevent constipation and improve the body's process of absorbing nutrients. Eating eggplant during pregnancy also helps reduce the risk of hemorrhoids during pregnancy or irritable bowel syndrome.
2.5 Protect cells from damage
Eggplant skin contains an organic compound called anthocyanin, also known as nasunin. This is an antioxidant that protects the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. Besides, nasunin in eggplant also prevents the accumulation of excess iron which is associated with the risk of heart disease and cancer.
2.6 Reduce bad cholesterol
Pregnant women eating eggplant can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol levels in the blood. Thereby helping pregnant women have a healthy heart.
2.7 Blood pressure control
If pregnant women have high blood pressure during pregnancy, they can add eggplant in the menu. Because this is considered a support food to reduce high blood pressure. Bioflavonoids present in eggplant will help lower blood pressure, promote heart health as well as prevent the risk of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia.
3. Side effects of eating too much eggplant
Although eggplant contains many nutrients that are good for pregnancy, eating too much can cause some conditions such as:
Increase the risk of premature labor: Eggplant fruit contains a high phytohormone content. , has the ability to stimulate menstruation and at the same time help cure menstrual problems such as amenorrhea. Besides, eggplant also contains toxoplasmosis, two substances that, if eaten in excess, will promote early labor and premature birth. High acidity: Eggplant fruit can trigger acid problems and even upset stomach during pregnancy. Indigestion: If eating eggplant has not been cooked thoroughly, pregnant women are easy to develop unwanted digestive problems during this sensitive period. Increased risk of premature birth: Eggplant if not washed and cleaned properly during processing can also cause bacterial infection for pregnant women. Because in the medium of growing eggplant, there is often the presence of toxoplasmosis in the soil.
4. How pregnant women eat eggplant safely
Here are some suggestions on how to eat eggplants more delicious and safe for pregnant women:
Wash eggplants under running water and peel off the skins, then soak in warm salt water before processing Only choose to buy eggplants has a smooth shell, when held, has a firmness. Cook or roast eggplant to the right temperature, do not eat it raw and cook it at too high a temperature. Do not buy fruit with cracks, wrinkled skin, waterlogging and uneven color or unusual spots Choose to buy eggplants with small fruit as they are usually tastier and fresher. The large fruits are often old, very easy to have a bitter and unpleasant taste. In short, eggplant is a fruit that contains many nutrients that are good for the body and during pregnancy. However, if you eat too much, it can cause some conditions such as indigestion, increase the risk of premature birth and early labor. Therefore, pregnant women should add eggplant to the menu with a moderate amount as well as a diet. change and select safe and hygienic products.
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