Amla or Indian gooseberry during pregnancy is safe comfort food. It is packed with dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help treat nausea and hormonal imbalances in pregnancy.
Amla, a bitter-sour-sweet fruit, is commonly eaten in pickled form or as a snack.
Pregnant women craving tangy-flavored amla often ask if it is safe to have consume them during pregnancy. Here’s why amla can be one of the best foods for your pregnancy journey.
Nutritional Value of Amla
Amla is a great source of dietary fiber, manganese, potassium, copper, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and B6.
Considering the intake of amla during pregnancy, folic acid in it aids in curing nausea and hormonal imbalances. Whereas vitamin C is a great nutrient for boosting the immunity of pregnant women. And vitamin B is essential for the healthy growth of a baby’s muscles, bones, and nerves.
Is it Safe to Have Amla During Pregnancy?
Looking at the nutritional benefits of amla for pregnant women, it is safe and healthy for you and your baby.
In general, there are no side effects of amla during pregnancy, but it’s always better to consult your gynecologist about your dietary preferences. In case you are suffering from certain health issues, it’s better to ask your doctor before adding amla to your diet.
Below are some benefits of Amla during pregnancy:
1. Boosts Immunity
Amla contains a high amount of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, to enhance immune functions. It helps fight common cold and flu, and UTIs (urinary tract infections) common in pregnancy.
Additionally, vitamin C helps with lactation after delivery, which ensures that your newborn will get immune-boosting mother’s milk.
2. Prevents Indigestion & Constipation
Indigestion, flatulence, acidity and constipation during pregnancy is quite common and is very uncomfortable for moms.
Amla is a natural cure to indigestion and acidity because it promotes the release of digestive gastric juices in the stomach.
Surprisingly, amla with its high fiber content proves to be not only filling for longer but also promotes normal bowel movements. Therefore, it prevents constipation in pregnant women.
3. Maintains Blood Pressure
Women often suffer from high blood pressure during pregnancy, especially if it runs in family.
Thus, pregnant women with blood pressure issues are recommended to add amla to their diet. Due to high vitamin C content, amla aids blood vessels to dilate and maintain normal blood pressure levels.
4. Relief From Nausea & Morning Sickness
The high fiber content delivers energy for longer to relieve fatigue in pregnant women.
Moreover, the sweet-sour taste of amla helps control the feeling of nausea, common during the first trimester. It not only reduces the symptoms of morning sickness but increases your energy levels.
5. Reduces the Risk of Diabetes
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy is common in pregnant women even with zero diabetic histories. It happens when hormonal imbalances interfere with your body’s insulin levels.
As amla has anti-diabetic properties, it greatly reduces the chances of gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
6. Controls Oedema
Oedema is a common problem in pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Oedema is the swelling of tissues in the hands and feet due to excessive fluids in the body.
The efficacy of amla in treating oedema is due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
7. Detoxifies Body
Amla is a diuretic and an amazing antioxidant. Its ability to retain high water content by increasing urination flushes toxins out of your body. This detoxification process is great for the health of the mother and baby.
Are There Any Side Effects of Amla During Pregnancy?
Eating amla during pregnancy has no side effects for the baby and mother. However, overconsumption of amla can possibly have certain side effects in pregnancy.
It’s best to have only 1-2 amla or 10-15ml of amla extract a day as it helps in reducing morning sickness, nausea, or tastelessness of the mouth. Excess intake of amla can possibly cause constipation, dehydration, indigestion, and diarrhea.
We highly recommend you consult your gynecologist about the optimum daily dose of amla for you.
How to Eat Amla During Pregnancy?
You can have fresh amla fruits or amla juice mixed in a glass of water or amla powder added to your cuisines once a day. The best time to eat amla during pregnancy is early morning before breakfast.
Final Verdict
Not only do pregnant women crave sour-sweet amla in pregnancy, but it is also a very healthy addition in their pregnancy diet. After all, what’s better than a food that tones down the feeling of nausea and prevents vomiting? Not to forget, your blood pressure and diabetes remain in check too.
