Beetroot is, no doubt, a healthy root vegetable that is widely used all over the world. It also proves useful to pregnant women. Keep reading to know more about how beets can benefit you and your baby in the womb, and the ways to consume it.
Beets are rich in many nutrients and components that are helpful for the growing foetus. Some of the benefits of consuming beetroot during pregnancy include:
Beets have a good amount of iron, which boosts the count of red blood cells and reduces the risk of anaemia during pregnancy.
The antioxidants present in beetroot improve your immunity and protect against infections during pregnancy.
Pregnant women are known to be at a higher risk of osteoporosis – a condition that makes your bones weak and brittle. Beets have a good portion of silica and calcium, which keep your teeth and bones strong.
Beets are potassium-rich, hence, consuming them balances your electrolytes and regulates metabolism. They are also known to maintain blood pressure levels during pregnancy.
Betaine, an anti-inflammatory agent present in beetroot, prevents inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints during pregnancy.
Beets, being low-glycemic foods, take longer to convert into glucose and absorb into the blood. This helps to maintain your blood sugar levels.
Rich in folic acid, beets promote healthy growth and development of your baby. They also aid in developing your baby’s spinal cord.
Betacyanin present in beets detoxifies your liver and blood. It also eliminates fatty acids and toxins from your body, ensuring a healthy pregnancy.
The vitamin C content in beetroots aids the absorption of iron and paves the way for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
The folic acid promotes the growth of healthy tissues and foetal development. It also prevents birth defects like spina bifida by ensuring optimal development of the spinal cord.
Despite their numerous health benefits, there are a few side-effects of consuming beetroot during pregnancy:
Once the morning sickness and nausea subsides, you’ll be able to eat without feeling the urge to throw up. This is when you can start adding beets, along with other vegetables, to your diet. Eating beetroot in the second trimester is a great way to stack up on the nutrients that promote a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. Here are a few unique beetroot recipes you can try your hand at:
Beetroot tea has invigorating properties, and the best part is that it doesn’t contain caffeine!
An easy way to consume beets is to grind them to a fine powder and mix with water or juice.
While it’s important to consume beetroot during pregnancy, you shouldn’t take it in excess. Limit your beetroot intake to two a day. We suggest getting a second opinion from your gynaecologist.