Watermelon in pregnancy

The taste of juicy, cool watermelon pulp on a hot summer day can bring a lot of pleasure to everyone, especially to a pregnant woman, whose senses and feelings are heightened to the limit. Watermelon during pregnancy, in addition to delighting the taste buds with velvety sweetness, will easily quench your thirst, giving the body a large amount of moisture, since it consists mainly of water.

However, pregnant women often have doubts about whether the pleasure of the sugary, and often even honey-like taste of this berry will harm the future baby. After all, in many cases, watermelons have a high content of nitrates and chemicals that can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta.

To protect yourself when you want to eat watermelon during pregnancy, you need to approach its selection with all caution and care. As a rule, early ripening watermelons are the most saturated with nitrates, so it is better to wait until the end of summer, waiting for them to ripen naturally. Perhaps it also makes sense to buy a nitrate meter, which will be absolutely useful in a family with children and an addition is expected.

Is it possible to eat watermelon during pregnancy?

Many women preparing to become mothers often wonder whether watermelon is allowed during pregnancy? Will it harm the healthy growth and development of the future baby? Gynecology specialists often hold diametrically opposed views and opinions on this matter. According to some, watermelons are healthy and are recommended to be eaten in as large quantities as possible. Others tend to defend the position that watermelons should be categorically excluded from the diet of a pregnant woman, as well as for the entire period of breastfeeding.

Most of the components of watermelon are water, thanks to which it can be used to replenish the body's need for fluid. Watermelon has many positive properties, however, whether watermelon can be consumed during pregnancy - this must be determined individually. In particular, the high sugar content transfers watermelon to the category of those foods that should not be abused in cases of obesity or diabetes, as well as in the presence of large kidney stones and problems with the outflow of urine. In the absence of such contraindications, a pregnant woman can enjoy watermelon without any restrictions, without fear of negative consequences for herself or the health of the future baby.

Useful properties of watermelon during pregnancy

The beneficial properties of watermelon during pregnancy are beyond doubt. This large, juicy, sweet berry is a repository of a wide variety of microelements and rich vitamin content.

Vitamin A is important during pregnancy because it takes part in the processes of cellular differentiation of the embryo and regulation of fetal growth.

Large amounts of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, have a strong antioxidant effect on the body and provide protection to cells from the destruction of incomplete oxygen molecules by free radicals.

Folic acid, which is also present in watermelon in significant quantities, is an important component of metabolic processes, protein synthesis and hematopoietic processes, which is especially important for women during pregnancy.

Watermelon contains lycopene, a substance that is a factor in improving the quality of the egg cell and also creates a protective barrier against proteins that are involved in the formation of adhesions.

Watermelon is rich in potassium, which helps normalize and maintain optimal cell walls. In addition, the beneficial properties of watermelon during pregnancy are due to the fact that it contains a lot of iron, which is important for hematopoiesis and preventing anemia.