Cranberries for pregnant women. Antioxidants and phytonutrients. How to make cranberry juice for pregnant women

No wonder cranberries are called miracle berries. It is not only tasty, but also extremely useful. Therefore, during pregnancy, when the body weakens, hidden sores begin to appear, chronic diseases can worsen, a woman must definitely include cranberries and drinks from it in her diet.

The benefits of cranberries during pregnancy

Cranberries are famous for the fact that they contain many vitamins, micro and macro elements, as well as biologically active substances, the need for which increases during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women can use it to replenish these important substances and prevent hypovitaminosis. This is especially true in the first trimester, when the organs of the embryo are being laid.

Along with this, when this berry comes on, it will have a general strengthening effect and quench thirst at elevated body temperature. Cranberries are also effective in fighting bacteria. Therefore, it will be useful not only for colds, but also for tonsillitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis.

With toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy, when a woman is worried about nausea, vomiting, cranberries can be used to improve appetite and digestion processes. And the diuretic effect of cranberries, as well as, will help pregnant women with toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy (preeclampsia) and edema.

Due to its anti-inflammatory action, doctors prescribe cranberries to pregnant women to prevent and treat kidney and urinary tract infections. For example, it is recommended for the treatment of pyelonephritis, cystitis.

The use of cranberries during pregnancy prevents problems with the circulatory and hematopoietic systems. This berry strengthens blood vessels, increases their elasticity. It is these vessels that are not threatened by varicose veins, which often occurs in pregnant women.

Cranberries also affect the properties of blood. It prevents the formation of blood clots. And during pregnancy, this is necessary for the normal nutrition of the fetus, which occurs through the small blood vessels of the placenta. After all, blood clots lead to their blockage, which is fraught with complications in the course of pregnancy.

The beneficial effect of cranberries on the circulatory system helps to reduce high blood pressure. Thus, cranberries can be used as a natural remedy for hypertension in pregnant women.

This berry also has a sedative effect, which will be useful for women, both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.

Also, cranberries can be used by pregnant women for violations of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, for the treatment of gastritis with low acidity, colitis.

You can also use cranberries during pregnancy to protect against the effects of harmful environmental factors. In a woman's body, it will not allow heavy metals to be assimilated, and will contribute to the neutralization of radioactive metals. The cleansing effect of cranberries also lies in lowering cholesterol.

Contraindications to the use of cranberries during pregnancy

Not every pregnant woman can eat cranberries, as this berry has contraindications.

Cranberries can cause allergic reactions in the form of a skin rash or irritation.

And if a pregnant woman has heartburn, cranberries should be consumed with caution so as not to increase the acidity in the stomach.

Eating cranberries during pregnancy

Pregnant women can eat cranberries fresh or add to tea, as well as drink cranberry juice or fruit drink.

fresh berries

To store cranberries in water, you need to wash fresh berries, put them in a wooden container, fill with water, cover with a lid with holes, put oppression on top and store in a cool dark place.

When using cranberries, pregnant women need to remember that they should not eat it on an empty stomach, so as not to injure the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract with acids.

Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is often used to treat hypertension, headaches (make a compress), as a wound healing agent, to prevent and treat infections of the kidneys and urinary tract.

It is advisable for pregnant women to dilute cranberry juice with water. And after taking the juice, rinse your mouth with warm water to protect tooth enamel from destruction.

Morse

During pregnancy, with infections of the kidneys and urinary tract, with emotional instability and fatigue, doctors recommend that women drink cranberry juice.

There are several options for making cranberry juice. Consider the option where you do not need to boil it, since boiling leads to a loss of vitamins.

So, here is the recipe for making fruit drink from fresh or frozen cranberries:

  1. Mash 1 cup of berries;
  2. Squeeze juice;
  3. Put the remaining gruel in a container and pour 600 ml of water;
  4. Boil;
  5. Strain, and rub the berry gruel through a sieve;
  6. Add previously squeezed juice.

You can add sugar to the fruit drink for taste, but for greater benefit it is better to use. And to increase the tonic effect of cranberry juice, you can drink it with.

It would seem that cranberry juice is a simple and harmless drink, but during pregnancy, its dosage and intake system, as well as cranberry juice, should be checked with a doctor.

You probably know about the benefits of cranberries from childhood. Then, during a cold, mom always prepared you a healing drink from these sour berries, which quickly removed the temperature and accelerated recovery. But it turns out that this is not the only useful property of cranberries. It is especially recommended to pay attention to it for pregnant women, who are contraindicated in any medication during this period.

Why is cranberry so useful during pregnancy and when can expectant mothers take it?

The benefits of berries for pregnant women

Cranberries can be called a champion in the content of vitamins and minerals.

  • It contains vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium;
  • In addition, in 100 grams of berries there are only 28 kcal.

The benefits of cranberries during pregnancy:

  1. The berries contain a lot of vitamin B9 or folic acid, which is necessary to prevent fetal malformations;
  2. Due to its sweet and sour taste, it is recommended for those who suffer from toxicosis in the early stages. How else can you alleviate your condition, find out from the article Nausea during pregnancy >>>;
  3. It normalizes digestion, which is very important for women during this period, when digestive disorders or constipation are often observed (you may be interested in the article Stomach ache during pregnancy >>>);
  4. Regular consumption of cranberries helps to strengthen blood vessels. Since the baby at this time receives all the nutrients he needs through the umbilical cord, the mother’s circulatory system simply needs to be healthy;
  5. Strengthens the immune system, which often suffers during pregnancy;
  6. Due to its composition, the berry can reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the body and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes;
  7. Lowers blood pressure, so it is indicated to use hypertensive patients;
  8. Due to the mild diuretic effect, cranberry juice is prepared from berries, which helps to cope with cystitis and other kidney diseases (read the article on the topic: Cystitis in early pregnancy >>>).

But before you go to the store for cranberries, check with your doctor about its safety for you.

Early use of cranberries

  • Most women in the first trimester of pregnancy feel tired, weak, and some even suffer from toxicosis. If you are one of them, then cranberries during early pregnancy will help you cope with malaise. Prepare fruit drink from this berry. Its sour taste will greatly relieve nausea. And a huge amount of vitamins and minerals will invigorate you and give you energy;
  • However, do not forget that it contains a lot of vitamin C, and its excess can provoke an increase in uterine tone, which threatens you with a miscarriage. Therefore, if after drinking a glass of fruit drink, you feel a pulling pain in the lower abdomen or other unpleasant sensations, consult a doctor who will tell you whether cranberries can be taken during pregnancy in your particular case.

Use for edema

  1. Cranberries can help with swelling during pregnancy. The use of berries normalizes metabolic processes and restores trophic processes that take place in all tissues of the body;
  2. If disturbances in the functioning of the urinary system have led to the appearance of edema, then you just need to prepare cranberry juice. It has a diuretic and bactericidal effect, relieves the inflammatory process. In addition, this drink maintains the electrolyte balance of the body, by strengthening the cardiovascular system.

Use for colds

Each of you knows that during this period any medications are contraindicated (you will find a lot of useful information on this topic in the article Cold during pregnancy >>>). A cold can take you by surprise. What to do in this case? In this situation, cranberries will be one of the effective and permitted means.

  • It contains ascorbic acid, vitamins A, B and K, which contribute to the activation of the immune system and accelerate recovery;
  • Malic and citric acids have a bactericidal effect. Also, flavonoids have an antimicrobial effect;
  • Natural sugars (glucose, fructose) will give the body strength to fight infection;
  • And microelements normalize all the physiological reactions of the sick organism.

Important! But, when using cranberries during pregnancy to treat a cold, it is important to remember that prolonged heat treatment of the product can destroy most of the nutrients. Therefore, it should not be cooked longer than 5 minutes.

Natural honey can enrich the cranberry drink, which will enhance the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic functions of the berry.

Use for cystitis

Regular consumption of cranberry drinks contributes to a speedy recovery from cystitis and prevents recurrence. Experiments have shown that regular consumption of berries in food leads to the immobilization of harmful microorganisms. Benzoic acid plays a huge role in this.

Know! Drinking a glass of fruit drink daily can be an effective preventive measure for the occurrence of cystitis.

Contraindications to the use of cranberries by pregnant women

The beneficial properties of cranberries during pregnancy are undeniable, but the expectant mother should not forget that each product has its own contraindications, and this berry is no exception. You need to be careful with it:

  1. In the presence of any diseases of the digestive system, especially those accompanied by increased acidity of the stomach;
  2. If you have been diagnosed with enterocolitis.
  3. You need to be careful if you have low blood pressure, since cranberries can lower it, then, in your case, this can lead to a worsening of the condition;
  4. If you are allergic to the product.

How to take cranberries

The beneficial effect of eating cranberries during pregnancy will be more noticeable if it is taken correctly.

  • To prevent various diseases and maintain a normal level of vitamins in the body, you can simply eat it raw. It is enough to eat 10-15 berries a day to feel good;
  • Fresh berries can be added to tea, giving it a pleasant sourness;
  • But cranberry juice will become a real vitamin bomb for you.
  1. For this, juice is squeezed out of fresh berries;
  2. The peel is filled with water and boiled for 3-5 minutes;
  3. After that, the broth must be filtered;
  4. Combine the juice with the decoction and add sugar or natural honey to it (read the current article on whether honey is possible during pregnancy?).

Only with this method of preparation, you can be sure that you will get the maximum benefit from drinking the drink. For 1 glass of fresh berries, you need to take 1 liter of water and a few tablespoons of sugar or honey.

A useful tincture can be prepared from the berry, which lowers blood pressure well and cleans blood vessels.

  • To do this, pour a few tablespoons of berries with 2 cups of boiling water;
  • Do it better in a thermos;
  • You need to insist cranberries for 8-10 hours;
  • After that, the tincture is filtered and taken before meals.

To prevent beriberi, you can cook such a healthy delicacy - grated cranberries with honey. You need to take it 1 tablespoon three times a day.

Cranberries during pregnancy are considered one of the most useful berries. You can keep it fresh for up to 4 months. But useful properties, the berry retains in frozen or dried form.

Expectant mothers are recommended to use it for the prevention and treatment of colds, infectious diseases, diseases of the stomach and cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure, and also just to quench thirst. But at the same time, you need to remember that cranberries should be consumed in moderation.

Cranberries during pregnancy become not only a source of trace elements and vitamins, but also a medicine for various diseases. During the bearing of a child, many pharmacological preparations are under the strictest ban, and pathogenic viruses and bacteria easily penetrate into a woman's weakened body. Cranberry fruit drinks and juices will eliminate both the symptoms of pathologies and their immediate cause - infectious pathogens. The unique composition of the marsh berry also causes contraindications for use during pregnancy. Therefore, the expectant mother should consult with a gynecologist about the appropriateness and safety of using cranberries.

The benefits of sour berries while carrying a baby

Pregnant women often suffer from toxicosis, severe swelling and urination disorders due to the changed hormonal background. The constantly growing uterus and the increasing weight of the child causes compression of the internal organs. Heartburn, bloating, indigestion and peristalsis are added to the already existing discomfort. Regular consumption of cranberries helps to alleviate the condition of the expectant mother. The berry contains biologically active substances that quickly and effectively eliminate dyspeptic and neurological disorders.

This is interesting: Cranberries are more than 90% water, and the remaining 10% is occupied by mineral compounds and beneficial polysaccharides. Women during pregnancy may not be afraid for being overweight, since the marsh berry is one of the lowest calorie foods.

During the bearing of the baby, the presence of pectins in cranberries is of particular interest. These coarse-fibrous polysaccharides cleanse the gastrointestinal tract of undigested food products, toxins and toxins that have accumulated there. And the pectins themselves are excreted unchanged from the body. When introducing cranberries into the diet, one should take into account its mild laxative effect. However, many women who are expecting a baby suffer from chronic constipation, so the use of berries during this period is more relevant than ever.

  • folic acid, necessary for proper intrauterine growth and development of the child;
  • riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin, which are responsible for the processes of metabolism of nutrients and biologically active substances;
  • ascorbic acid, which increases the resistance of the body of a pregnant woman to infectious and allergic agents;
  • mineral compounds of zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, preventing the development of water-electrolyte imbalance.

There is a lot in cranberries and a rare trace element of selenium, which exhibits adaptogenic activity. A useful substance stabilizes the psycho-emotional state of a pregnant woman and increases her defenses.

Healing properties of berry juices and fruit drinks

During the bearing of the baby, gynecologists often diagnose iron deficiency anemia. A woman has weakness, fatigue, profuse hair loss, separation of the nail plates. The lack of this microelement negatively affects the emotional background of the expectant mother, as well as the uteroplacental blood flow. The sour berry contains such a high concentration of iron that the daily use of two glasses of fruit drink or 200 ml of juice will prevent the occurrence of a pathological condition. The benefits of cranberries for pregnant women also lie in its healing actions:

  • Improvement of blood circulation. Bioflavonoids from the chemical composition of marsh berries increase the elasticity of arteries, veins, capillaries, normalize microcirculation;
  • Decreased levels of sugar and cholesterol in the systemic circulation. Cranberry organic acids (benzoic, citric, malic, oxalic) remove harmful triglycerides from large blood vessels, restore the active functioning of the endocrine part of the pancreas;
  • Prevention of tumor formation. Berry anthocyanins prevent cell transformation at the genetic level, which becomes an excellent prevention of malignant and benign neoplasms;
  • Normalization of hematopoiesis. Daily consumption of cranberries for pregnant women has a positive effect on the composition of the blood. It increases the content of hemoglobin and erythrocytes - carriers of molecular oxygen;
  • Elimination of deficiency of biologically active substances. Due to the presence of a combination of useful compounds in the berry, the course intake of drinks not only replenishes the reserves of vitamins and trace elements, but also ensures their delivery to cells and tissues.

Warning: Most of the substances useful for a pregnant woman are found in fresh berries. A small part of the vitamins is lost during freezing, but after the heat treatment of cranberries, the concentration of bioactive compounds is significantly reduced.

During pregnancy, a woman should receive twice the amount of nutrients with food, since their deficiency primarily affects the appearance and well-being of the mother, and not the child. The composition of the sour marsh berry includes many antioxidants that prevent the formation of free radicals in the body. If the expectant mother regularly consumes cranberry drinks, then she does not have problems with her skin, nails, and hair.

Indications for use

When asked by patients about whether it is possible for pregnant women to cranberries, gynecologists always answer in the affirmative. Moreover, they even recommend berry fruit drinks and juices in the development of pathological conditions. In what cases is the use of cranberries indicated:

  • intestinal atony;
  • toxicosis;
  • violation of water-salt metabolism;
  • urination disorders;
  • avitaminosis;
  • inflammatory process of any localization;
  • viral and respiratory infections.
It is worth noting that gynecologists try to prevent the development of such pathologies. They recommend introducing cranberries into the diet for prevention, which avoids complications and chronic diseases.

Tip: During pregnancy, women become somewhat selective in food, and there are many tales about their taste preferences. If, for any reason, the expectant mother cannot drink cranberry juices and fruit drinks, then dried or candied berries will successfully replace them.

Edema

Cranberries from edema during pregnancy are used in the second and third trimester. The enlarged uterus presses on the bladder and urethra. A woman often has an urge to urinate, but the amount of urine excreted is small. Excess fluid is distributed in the form of edema. They most commonly occur on the face, hands, and ankles. Gynecologists do not consider this condition to be natural, therefore, they immediately begin treatment. The use of diuretic drugs often causes:

  • deficiency of mineral compounds necessary for the body;
  • development of severe dehydration.

Organic acids from the chemical composition of cranberries exhibit mild diuretic activity. Regular consumption of berry drinks helps to remove excess fluid and preserve potassium, sodium, magnesium and other trace elements in the body.

Due to the diuretic effect of cranberries, gynecologists recommend using it during pregnancy, which is complicated by high blood pressure. A decrease in the severity of edema leads to the expansion of veins, arteries, capillaries and the normalization of blood flow. If arterial hypertension was diagnosed in a woman before conception, then she should eat fresh cranberries daily to stabilize blood pressure.

Cystitis

. Few of the women during the period of bearing a baby did not suffer from pain and burning during urination, pulling pains in the lower abdomen. Squeezing the urethra and bladder leads to stagnation of urine, which becomes a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, microbes do not penetrate into the body of the expectant mother from the outside. Hormonal fluctuations provoke a decrease in immunity and the activation of bacteria belonging to the conditionally pathogenic microflora:
  • staphylococci;
  • coli.

Cranberries contain a high concentration of phytoncides and organic acids that have bacteriostatic, and in large doses, bactericidal action. Biologically active substances prevent the growth and reproduction of not only pathogenic bacteria, but also viruses, as well as yeast fungi. Regular consumption of berry drinks becomes an excellent prevention of cystitis, colpitis, vulvovaginitis.

Warning: Sour berry will not help if a woman develops an acute form of cystitis. In this case, urgent antibiotic therapy is required. The doctor will select gentle dosages of antibacterial agents that will not adversely affect the growth and development of the child.

Contraindications

The benefits and harms of cranberries during pregnancy are due to its chemical composition. The berry contains many biologically active substances in high concentrations. And if a woman has an individual intolerance to at least one of them, then there is a high probability of developing an allergic reaction like urticaria - a rash and redness appear on the skin.

Due to the large amount of organic acids, cranberry drinks can destroy tooth enamel and provoke caries. However, the development of events according to such a negative scenario can be avoided simply by using an ordinary cocktail tube. The absolute contraindications of cranberries during pregnancy include such diseases:

  • stomach and duodenal ulcer;
  • hyperacid or erosive gastritis;
  • hypovitaminosis.
Berry fruit drinks and juices are strictly prohibited when diagnosing urolithiasis in a pregnant woman. Cranberry increases urination, increases the amount of urine excreted. This can cause the movement of a large, sharp calculus and damage to the urinary tract or blood vessel.

Healthy Recipes

Cranberries are especially useful during early pregnancy, when a woman experiences painful symptoms of toxicosis. Acidic drinks quickly normalize digestion, eliminate vomiting, and reduce the severity of nausea. Their effectiveness in restoring beneficial intestinal microflora, which suffers from the development of dyspeptic disorders, has been proven. Preparing juice is very simple - you need to use a strainer or juicer. Gynecologists recommend taking 0.3 cups of a healthy drink after dinner every day to prevent toxicosis. But with cranberry juice you have to tinker.

Healthy foods for expectant mothers become truly important. Experts note that cranberries during pregnancy can be a worthy support for the female body, which needs additional components for the active and successful functioning of various organs.

Features of influence

Girls who are expecting the birth of their children are trying to diversify the diet and make it more useful. The presence of fresh berries, compotes and fruit drinks, decoctions contribute to the flow of a sufficient amount of liquid and nutrients.

Can pregnant women eat cranberries? Doctors recommend including berries in the diet, which have a rich and natural composition. Despite this, the girls still show doubts and are interested in whether it is possible or not to eat fresh cranberries and prepare various drinks from it.

In fact, the fortified composition plays an important role not only during the bearing of a baby in the early and late stages, but also when planning a pregnancy. The main task is the correct inclusion of berries in the diet.

The benefits of cranberries:

  1. there is an improvement in the health status of pregnant women suffering from varicose veins and high blood pressure;
  2. the beneficial properties of natural berries also guarantee the full development of the baby;
  3. one of the highlights is the ability to strengthen the immune system and prevent various diseases. Even if a woman has already become ill, recovery can be accelerated. Doctors say that cranberries help with fever very well.

There is a restoration of kidney function and prevention of diseases of the urinary system. Scientists confirm that vitamins contribute to the successful exclusion of bacteria from the walls of the stomach and bladder. In this regard, fresh or candied berries are recommended for cystitis, as well as for pyelonephritis to prevent complications from the initial signs of disease.

There is an improvement in metabolic processes, the absorption of folic acid and iron. As a result, it is possible to reduce the risks associated with the pathologies of the baby.

Doctors note contraindications, which include acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

Product preparation

Before eating cranberries during pregnancy, it is advisable to carefully study the recipes. In addition, the berry is ideal for making fruit drinks and other healthy drinks. In fact, doctors note that fresh cranberries have the greatest potential.

During heat treatment, nutritional components are lost, as a result of which the influence of temperature should be avoided. If desired, simply dried cranberries without additives can be prepared, because it can be added to black and green tea.

One of the most common cooking options is cranberries with sugar. This will require one kilogram of berries and granulated sugar. First prepare the berry puree. It is covered with sugar, left for 8 - 12 hours in a cold place. After that, they are laid out in sterilized jars and closed.

Experts advise drinking cranberries during pregnancy, as even fruit drinks can saturate the body with useful substances.

Berries with honey will delight not only with their composition, but also with impeccable taste. To prepare a fruit drink, 500 grams of cranberries, a couple of tablespoons of natural honey, 2 liters of water are required.

The washed berries are sorted, washed and kneaded until soft, after which the juice is squeezed. The cake is diluted with water and put on fire, boiled and boiled for about 5 minutes. The broth is filtered. Then honey is stirred in it until completely dissolved.

cranberry juice recipe

Especially in demand among pregnant girls is cranberry syrup. Its preparation is easy and fast, the taste pleases with impeccability, the composition - the presence of valuable components.

How to brew cranberries during pregnancy:

  1. fresh berries are washed and carefully sorted. Juice is squeezed out of them and set aside;
  2. berry cake is poured with water and left to boil, cooled and filtered;
  3. fresh juice, sugar or honey is added to the cake.

Brewing cranberries during pregnancy according to this recipe, it becomes possible to note the ease of the culinary process.

However, it is important to remember to keep the correct proportion: 2/3 cup cranberries, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. If you want to improve the initial composition, you need to remember that viburnum and cranberries are perfect for each other.

Cranberries and rose hips during pregnancy are worthy support for the immune system. In addition, in the 3rd trimester, the female body needs such drinks and products even more. For cooking, use 500 grams of cranberries, a glass of wild rose, 2 liters of water, sugar to taste. The washed berries are sorted and kneaded with a crush.

For fruit drink, cranberry cake is used, which is poured with water. After boiling, cook for about 5 minutes. Then sugar is added to the finished broth. They also prepare an infusion of wild rose, which is sorted out, washed and poured in a thermos with boiled water, left overnight. Rosehip infusion is mixed with fruit drink. Such a decoction of wild rose and cranberries during pregnancy surprises with worthy support for expectant mothers, strengthening their immune system.

While waiting for the birth of a baby, special responsibility should be shown when choosing products and compiling a menu. Not only the health of a woman, but also her future baby depends on this.

Why you can not cranberries during pregnancy:

  1. experts note that taking cranberries during pregnancy is prohibited in combination with sulfa drugs;
  2. with urolithiasis, berries are allowed to be included in the diet only under close medical supervision. Otherwise, there is a risk of increasing the acidity of urine.

One of the most important contraindications is any disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. There are risks associated with gastritis with high acidity, liver disease, peptic ulcer. Even tea with cranberries and honey during pregnancy is recommended to drink, paying attention to its taste characteristics. Only the optimal level of sweetness guarantees the exclusion of unnecessary burden on the stomach.

In the above situations, it is advisable to choose another useful product.

How to use cranberries during pregnancy:

  • Fresh berries are the most nutritious. For this reason, heat treatment is optional;
  • if you want to stock up on a natural and valuable delicacy for the cold season, frozen cranberries are allowed during pregnancy;
  • one of the most recommended options is a cranberry drink for pregnant women. For this reason, it is allowed to brew a decoction or prepare natural cranberry juice.

How much cranberries can you take during pregnancy? According to mothers, it is possible to confirm the value of natural foods and drinks. By carefully studying cranberry recipes for pregnant women, it becomes possible not only to diversify the diet, but also to support the body, improve the functioning of many organs.

For example, fresh berries are often used as a diuretic. For the prevention of cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, it is enough to drink one glass of fruit drink every day.

When including cranberries in the diet, the measure should be observed. At the same time, the benefits will appear only with the regular presence of healthy berries on the menu. Maximum support for a pregnant girl is guaranteed in the absence of contraindications, so it is advisable to consult a doctor to coordinate changes in the diet.

I am glad to welcome you to my blog page! And now the question is: Do you believe that miracles happen? You can immediately answer that the question is complex or there are no miracles, but after all, the conception and birth of a child is not a miracle, is it? In my opinion, this is the real miracle of nature! And how much strength, energy, health a woman needs to endure and give birth to a baby! Therefore, any woman, being in an interesting position, is obliged to monitor her health, maintain it and help cope with ailments. Cranberry, a Siberian berry, will help solve many troubles and health problems! What are the benefits and harms of cranberries during pregnancy?

Modern nutritionists say that a person, and especially a pregnant woman, should eat only local fruits and berries. The human body has become accustomed to them since childhood and is able to take all the nutrients from them, which is not the case with exotic fruits. In addition, the risk of allergies when using local fruits is minimized. Well, pineapples and kiwis do not grow on your native land, and okay! In the end, there will be a minimum of benefit from them for your body, and the cost of acquiring them will be greater.

The benefits of cranberries during pregnancy

  • Has a diuretic effect. This is very important for pregnant women, as cranberries are a wonderful remedy for swelling during pregnancy. In addition, cranberries contain substances that kill bacteria on the walls of the bladder - this is an excellent prevention of cystitis.
  • Reduces high blood pressure
  • Strengthens blood vessels. If the blood vessels of the pregnant woman function normally, then the baby in the womb will feel comfortable, since he receives all the useful substances, including oxygen, through the umbilical cord.
  • Rich in folic acid (vitamin B9). Why is folic acid needed during pregnancy? If you do not know, read the article "".
  • Reduces blood cholesterol and thereby prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques in the blood vessels.
  • Facilitates the course of toxicosis due to acidity. A woman has an appetite again after eating cranberries.
  • Helps strengthen immunity. Due to the high content of vitamins, macro- and microelements, cranberries keep the immune system in good shape, thus the body of a pregnant woman adequately resists the attack of microbes and viruses.
  • Normalizes digestion (combats constipation and other troubles)

Cranberries during pregnancy: in what form to use?

  • Fresh. Freshly picked berries that have not undergone any processing, rinse with water, sprinkle with sugar and you can eat. It is enough for pregnant women to consume 10-20 berries a day.
  • Berries thawed after freezing. It is known that during shock freezing, berries retain all useful vitamins, micro- and macroelements. Only here it is necessary to defrost cranberries gradually, in a natural way. It is highly not recommended to use a microwave or hot water to defrost cranberries, as vitamins and minerals are destroyed by exposure to high temperatures or microwaves and the useful properties of the berry are minimized. As soon as the berries are thawed, mix them with sugar and enjoy the taste.
  • In the form of a fruit drink or add cranberries to tea.

How to cook a healthy fruit drink from cranberries during pregnancy, retaining all the vitamins?

I have already mentioned that during high-temperature processing of cranberries, vitamins are destroyed. So that this does not happen, I propose the following method for preparing cranberry juice:

Ingredients:
  • 1 liter of water
  • 2/3 cup cranberries
  • 1/3 cup sugar
Cooking method:
  • Squeeze the juice from the cranberries and set it aside
  • Bring water with sugar to a boil
  • What is left after the extraction (and this is called cake) is added to boiling water, covered tightly with a lid and removed from heat
  • Let the contents of the pan cool down to about 30 ° C
  • Strain the broth through cheesecloth, strainer or colander, we no longer need the cake
  • Add the squeezed cranberry juice to the pan and mix well.

Tip: there is no need to drink liters of cranberry juice, it is enough to drink no more than 2 glasses a day

1st trimester of pregnancy - take cranberries with caution

Cranberries during early pregnancy are taken very carefully and after consulting a doctor, because:

  • In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, women often have low blood pressure, and cranberries help bring down high blood pressure. Therefore, a pregnant woman with hypotension may become even worse.
  • If you consume a lot of cranberries in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, then the uterus can tone up, which is highly undesirable during this period of pregnancy, as the likelihood of miscarriage increases.

Before taking cranberries, consult your obstetrician-gynecologist so as not to harm!

Cranberries during pregnancy: contraindications! Harm cranberries!

  • People diagnosed with intestinal enterocolitis
  • People who are allergic to cranberries
  • People with gastrointestinal diseases (duodenal ulcer, gastritis, stomach ulcer), since cranberries contain a lot of acids, and the listed diseases, as a rule, occur in people with already increased acidity of the stomach

A single human body is an individual case! Even if cranberries benefit most people, this does not mean that they are good for everyone. This is how the human body works and we must accept it as it is.

So, the benefits of cranberries during pregnancy are enormous, it cannot be underestimated! Talk to your gynecologist about eating cranberries and let them help you throughout your pregnancy!