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Pregnancy brings you loads of happiness and joy but it may make you cautious and skeptical too. The foods that you were easily consuming before may cause concern at this stage. This may also be wise as not all food items can be consumed during pregnancy because of its probable threats to you or your unborn child. So if you are skeptical about consuming mint in pregnancy, then you are at the right place. Here, in the following article, we shall discuss the pros and cons of eating mint in pregnancy and we shall help you make an informed decision.
Health Benefits of Mint in Pregnancy
Mint is used as a summer staple in many households and is extremely beneficial in beating the unbearable summer heat. It has been used for its various medicinal and healing properties for ages. Mint has a strong aromatic flavour and is used in many culinary forms. There is no grave threat in consuming mint in pregnancy. Mint leaves may provide many benefits to a pregnant woman, such as:
1. Keeps The Body Cool
Pregnancy makes you crave all kinds of food and consuming a variety of foods along with the hormonal imbalances may affect the internal body temperatures. Mint leaves have soothing and cooling properties and thus they may help to keep down the body heat.
2. Keeps The Mouth Fresh
You may throw up badly in the first few months of pregnancy and in some women nausea may even last until their ninth month of pregnancy. Frequent bouts of nausea and vomiting may leave a bad taste in your mouth. Chewing down some fresh mint leaves is a great way to ward off that weird smell and taste from your mouth.
3. Brings Down The Nausea
Nausea is a very common pregnancy drawback and most women experience it in their first trimester. Chewing on some mint leaves can help you in keeping nausea at bay during pregnancy. However, some women may not be able to bear the minty smell and therefore they should refrain from using mint leaves.
4. Keeps Digestive Issues at Bay
A pregnant woman may battle with digestive issues in pregnancy. Consuming mint leaves helps in soothing the stomach ailments and keeps the digestive tract in place.
5. Helps In Maintaining General Feeling of Well-Being
There is so much going inside your body in pregnancy. This all can make you tired and exhausted. Sipping on some mint tea soothes the mind, removes irritability and helps in relieving tiredness. It also helps to keep insomnia and anxiety at bay.
Is Peppermint Tea Safe when Pregnant?
Peppermint is one of the variants of mint and it is also very effective during pregnancy. Sipping on some peppermint tea can not only keep your digestion in place but it also soothes the irritable stomach. The aroma of the tea also helps in relieving stress and anxiety during pregnancy.
Here’s how you can make mint tea during pregnancy to pep up your immune system:
Ingredients
- One tablespoon dried or fresh peppermint leaves.
- 150 ml or a cup of water
- Sugar to taste
How to Make
- Take water and boil it in a pan.
- Once the water starts boiling, add the dried peppermint leaves into it.
- Turn off the heat and cover the pan with the lid.
- Let the tea sit for 3-5 minutes.
- Strain and add sugar to taste.
Side Effects of Consuming Mint while Pregnant
Though mint is considered very safe during pregnancy sometimes it may cause certain side-effects or complications in pregnancy. Some of the side-effects of consuming mint leaves during pregnancy are as follows:
1. May Cause Allergic Reaction
If you are allergic to menthol or any products that may contain menthol in it, then you should avoid mint in pregnancy. Mint contains considerable amounts of menthol in it and may induce severe allergic reaction if you are allergic to menthol. Also if you are asthmatic, then also you should avoid mint during pregnancy.
2. May Cause Miscarriage
Mint has muscle relaxant properties and if it is consumed at the wrong time in pregnancy, it may relax the uterine muscles and may induce miscarriage or premature delivery at later stages. If you have had a miscarriage before then also it is recommended that you refrain from consuming mint in pregnancy.
3. May Cause Adverse Effects with Certain Medicines
A pregnant woman is prescribed various vitamin and mineral supplements in pregnancy. Sometimes mint may cause hindrance in proper absorption of these medicines in the body and thus deprive your body of its benefits.
4. Excessive Usage Of Mint May Cause Harm
More than required dosage of anything causes various kinds of risks in pregnancy and the same goes for mint. Excessive consumption of mint in any form may cause the feeling of drowsiness, muscle pain, slower heart rate and other complications in pregnancy.
5. May Aggravate Stomach Ulcers
Mint is known to soothe digestive issues but if you have stomach ulcers during pregnancy, consuming mint in any form may cause you harm. The presence of menthol in mint aggravates ulcers and may cause further complications.
If you are wondering whether you can safely consume mint during pregnancy, the answer is yes but it is best to consult your doctor to rule out any complication that may arise. Mint has amazing health benefits in pregnancy. It will be a great idea to consume mint in moderate amounts and not go overboard with it. Get in touch with your doctor if you wish to add mint to your daily diet in pregnancy.
