Can Lemon Juice Affect Pregnancy?

Every woman looks forward to the phase of pregnancy in her life but they completely abhor the set of guidelines that comes with it. As soon as the pregnancy news spreads across the family, a set of guidelines and dos and don'ts start pouring in for the to-be mother from all quarters. This puts us in a dilemma regarding what is good or bad for our baby.

Are Lemons Healthy During Pregnancy?
Lemons are considered to be powerhouses of different vitamins and minerals. That is supposed to be healthy, right? But apparently, consuming lemons may aggregate gastric problems and heart burns in women, mostly in the latter parts of the pregnancy. While this may be true, it doesn't negate the fact that they are extremely nutritious. Lemons are filled with vitamins A and C, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin and many other such nutrients that help keep the foetus healthy and happy. Therefore, lemons need to be included in your pregnancy diet, albeit in moderation to derive all the benefits but remove the chances of it having negative effects.

Here are a few advantages of consuming lemon water during pregnancy:
Lowers Hypertension
Boosts Immunity
Aids Digestion
Boosts Bone Health In The Mother And Baby
Treats Swollen Feet
Eases Labour

1) Lowers Hypertension High blood pressure is said to affect a majority of women during their pregnancies. Being anxious about the arrival of the baby and its after-effects usually is the main cause of rising blood pressure, which can be very fatal to the growing foetus. Lemon juice helps keep your blood pressure in check by keeping the blood vessels soft and pliable. It also helps reduce cholesterol.

2) Boosts Immunity Lemon juice, being rich in vitamin c, helps boost the immunity of the expecting mother. During pregnancy, our immunities are said to be weak, making us susceptible to a whole lot of diseases. Regular consumption of lemon water will help boost your immune system as well.

3) Aids Digestion Indigestion and constipation are the most common problems faced by pregnant women. Lemon juice will help the stomach secrete more digestive juices, thereby, aiding digestion. It also helps the peristaltic movement of the colon which will help you get relief from constipation.

4) Boosts Bone Health In The Mother And Baby Lemon juice is a good source of magnesium and calcium which is essential for the growing baby. Pregnant women, too, may lack calcium in their bodies and lemon juice will help prevent problems associated with low calcium levels. Magnesium helps nourish the nerve and brains cells of the foetus.

5) Treats Swollen Feet Pregnant women commonly suffer from swollen feet during the latter parts of their pregnancy. Lemon juice will not only help combat the problem but will also help ease the pain and discomfort arising from the condition.

6) Eases Labour Surprisingly lemon juice consumed daily from the 5th month onwards helps the body reduce the pains of labour. Although this fact is not scientifically proven, there are a lot of cases where women consuming lemon juice regularly have reported having lesser labour pains. Pregnancy is a very important period for the baby and you. And the fact that each experience is different for different woman makes it trickier. Therefore, it is always advised you talk to your gynaecologist in case you have any doubts regarding the dos and don'ts of your diet. Your doctor is certified and will recommend what is best for you and your baby.