Should you eat guava during pregnancy?

This is an automatically translated article.

Guava is a delicious fruit native to Central America that is a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamin C and folate. Many people claim that consuming guava can support a healthy pregnancy and increase fertility. Raw guava supplements, guava extract, or guava leaf tea are thought to provide similar benefits.

1. Benefits of guava for pregnant women


Guava is rich in nutrients and plant compounds that help promote a healthy pregnancy and may help prevent complications related to fertility.
1.1 High nutritional content To support the development of the fetus, pregnant women often have higher requirements for protein, vitamin C, folate and some other nutrients. In particular, vitamin C is very important for the optimal growth of the baby, while helping to increase iron absorption, thereby providing adequate oxygen for the fetus. Furthermore, adequate folate intake during pregnancy helps prevent birth defects and spinal problems.
One serving (165 grams) of guava provides more than 20% of the daily value (DV) for folate and over 400% of the DV for vitamin C, making guava a suitable food to eat during pregnancy
1.2 Supports the digestive system Research shows that guava can relieve digestive problems such as acid reflux, diarrhea and constipation, which are common during pregnancy. Specifically, studies indicate that guava leaf extracts reduce gastric acid secretion and delay gastric emptying thereby preventing diarrhea.
Guava is also a rich source of dietary fiber, providing almost 9 grams in 1 serving (165 grams). Eating enough fiber during pregnancy can help prevent constipation.

Trắc nghiệm: Bạn có hiểu đúng về dấu hiệu mang thai sớm?

Các dấu hiệu mang thai sớm không phải chỉ mỗi trễ kinh mà còn có rất nhiều dấu hiệu khác như xuất huyết âm đạo, ngực căng tức,… Điểm xem bạn biết được bao nhiêu dấu hiệu mang thai sớm thông qua bài trắc nghiệm này nhé!


1.3 Prevents high blood pressure Some pregnant women develop preeclampsia, a complication believed to occur when blood pressure is high, which in turn causes kidney or liver damage.
Guava can reduce the risk of this disease. Test-tube studies show that compounds in guava leaves can inhibit enzymes that contribute to high blood pressure.
Furthermore, a 4-week study in 145 adults found that eating guava before meals resulted in a significant reduction in blood pressure, compared to a control group. However, there are no recent studies examining the effects of guava consumption on blood pressure readings.
1.4 Guava leaf tea helps balance blood sugar Diabetes affects about 10% of pregnant women in the United States. This condition occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells in the body become resistant to insulin during pregnancy.

Một số nghiên cứu ở người chỉ ra rằng trà lá ổi có thể giúp hạ đường huyết
Một số nghiên cứu ở người chỉ ra rằng trà lá ổi có thể giúp hạ đường huyết
This leads to high blood sugar which leads to complications like premature birth or weight gain. Test-tube and animal studies suggest that guava leaf extract may help control blood sugar and improve insulin resistance.
Some human studies indicate that guava leaf tea may help lower blood sugar. In a study in 19 adults with mean blood sugar levels above 100 mg/dL, drinking 6.5 ounces (190mL) of guava leaf tea containing 400mg of guava extract significantly reduced blood sugar, compared with control group. However, there are no studies specifically examining the effects of guava on gestational diabetes.

2. The benefits of guava to the fetus

Due to their high levels of nutrients, including fiber, folate, and vitamin C, guava is said to boost fertility. Observational studies show that women with high dietary folate intake have higher pregnancy rates than those with low intakes.
Moderate-weight women who eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C can also get pregnant faster than those who don't get enough of this nutrient. While the nutrients in guava may help women increase their fertility, the fruit has not been shown to promote fertility. To promote fertility, medical information recommends that women avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine intake, maintain a healthy weight, and eat enough protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients.

3. Notes


Mẹ bầu cần rửa sạch và gọt vỏ trước khi ăn để giảm nguy cơ ăn phải vi khuẩn hoặc ký sinh trùng
Mẹ bầu cần rửa sạch và gọt vỏ trước khi ăn để giảm nguy cơ ăn phải vi khuẩn hoặc ký sinh trùng
Guava is generally considered safe to consume for most groups of people. However, there are no studies on the safety of using guava during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Consuming guava during pregnancy requires users to wash and peel it before eating to reduce the risk of ingesting bacteria or parasites that can harm the body of the woman and fetus.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively.

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 article: Healthline.com
Share
Patients Stories