Are you fond of date but don’t know if you should eat them during pregnancy? You should definitely continue reading. If you are concerned whether dates are safe and beneficial for the mother and baby, then yes they are. Dates contain fructose sugar which quickly breaks down and boosts energy levels without causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels. It also has laxative properties that help to stimulate uterine contractions and reduce the duration of labor.
How does eating dates help in labor?
Dates help to produce the oxytocin effect. Oxytocin effect is the contraction of the uterus during delivery. It increases the sensitivity of the uterus. The unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in dates help to give you energy and produce prostaglandins needed for labor. Other components that facilitate contraction of uterine muscles are tannin, calcium and serotonin. Having dates during late pregnancy impacts labor and delivery in a positive way without posing any risk to the child and mother.
Having dates particularly in the third trimester helps to make your labor shorter and easier. Starting from 36th week, pregnant women can eat six dates a day (That is four weeks before the due date). Some women tend to avoid eating dates in summer because they believe it produces heat and can upset stomach but it is not proven scientifically. The best part is that dates don’t have any side effect when taken in moderation. Make sure you don’t over eat it.
Benefits of dates during pregnancy
Dates are extremely nutritious because they are a rich source of fiber, vitamins, proteins and iron which facilitates healthy and easy pregnancy. Here are some great benefits of eating dates during pregnancy:
- Helps to prevent birth defects: dates are a rich source of folates and folates are well known fro preventing birth defects associated with spinal cord and brain.
- Keeps constipation at bay: Dates are rich source of fiber. It helps to treat pregnancy related constipation and keeps your digestive system healthy. They make you feel full, maintain healthy weight and decrease cholesterol levels.
- Boosts energy levels: You require more energy than usual during pregnancy. This is the reason you tend to feel exhausted and tired more easily. Maintaining an intake of a handful of dates every day will provide you with the much needed sugars without adding extra calories.
- Strengthens bones and teeth in the baby: Magnesium is yet another important mineral which plays a vital role in the formation of bones and teeth in the baby. Moreover, it controls the blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Consuming dates maintains a healthy level of magnesium. Deficiency of this mineral can lead to kidney and liver abnormalities.
Vitamin K booster for the baby: Babies are usually born with low vitamin K. If the mother eats dates, it helps to fulfil the requirements of vitamin when she breastfeeds the baby. Vitamin K is knowns for bone development and clotting.
Keeps anemia away: Dates are highly rich in iron which you need during pregnancy to prevent anemia. Iron helps to maintain hemoglobin in the body and fortifies the immunity of the mother and the baby.
Maintains water-salt balance: Dates contain potassium which is known for regulating blood pressure, maintaining water salt balance and preventing muscle cramps. Being deficient in this mineral can result in kidney related problems.
Proteins facilitate healthy growth: You need good amount of protein during pregnancy. Dates contain good amount of protein and protein produces amino acids needed for healthy body growth.
