Benefits of flaxseed for pregnancy health and precautions

Walking around supermarkets or agricultural stalls, you will probably encounter pictures of flaxseed bags with eye-catching packaging. Besides, they are also advertised as a very heart-healthy food. As a pregnant woman, perhaps you will be hesitant about whether to use flaxseed for the health of yourself and your baby in the womb? Don't worry, the following article will share with you the benefits of flaxseed as well as some necessary notes for you to have more basis for your choice.

Flax seed or linseed, this is a small, brown or yellow seed that originated in Europe and is now heavily produced in the Americas. Flaxseed is also considered a superfood because it is rich in omega-3, fiber and ligans (antioxidants and free radicals in the body) and other healthy vitamins and minerals .

From the above uses, it can be said that flaxseed is very necessary to supplement for pregnant women during pregnancy. Besides, there are other issues that pregnant women should supplement with flaxseed, how much is enough? There are also any disadvantages when using flaxseed? Let aFamilyToday Health find the answer through the following article.

Is using flaxseed during pregnancy safe for pregnant women?

Pregnancy is a very important stage for any woman, always need to be vigilant in all aspects and even in her diet. So it is best to choose healthy foods for both mother and baby.

Back to the problem of the use of flaxseed for pregnancy health, there are many different opinions of health experts regarding the benefits and safety of pregnant women consuming this nut. According to some reliable sources, the nutrients in flaxseed are responsible for reducing the risk of diseases like cancer , diabetes and heart related problems.

Currently, there are no studies on flaxseed in pregnant women. However, animal trials have shown that high doses of this nut can have adverse effects on the fetus. So, if you are pondering and wondering if you can use flaxseed during pregnancy, it's best to consult an obstetrician or a dietitian.

The benefits of flaxseeds are beneficial for pregnancy health

Before discussing the benefits or benefits of flaxseed, let's learn about the nutritional ingredients in this superfood!

According to statistics, 100g of flaxseeds provide 534 calories, which means that when you consume about one tablespoon of these seeds (approximately 10g), your body will receive 54 calories. In addition, flaxseeds are 40% fat, 29% carbohydrates and 18% protein. Of which, nearly 19% of the carbohydrates in flaxseeds are fiber (20-40% is soluble fiber , the rest 60-80% is insoluble). It is this rich source of fiber that makes flax seeds a natural laxative and promotes digestive health.

Besides, there are a few other health benefits of flaxseed during pregnancy that you can consult with your doctor before including:

1. Flaxseeds are rich in important nutrients

Flaxseeds contain linoleic acid, alpha-linoleic acid and other omega-3 unsaturated fats. These are essential nutrients during pregnancy, because they support the fetal brain development, especially during the first few months of pregnancy.

2. Regulates blood sugar

Blood sugar levels tend to increase during pregnancy and flaxseeds are to help control it at the most stable level thanks to the soluble fiber in the composition. Birth weight can also be reduced with this benefit.

3. Reduces the occurrence of hot flashes during pregnancy

Flaxseeds are also known to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes in the body , a common unpleasant symptom during pregnancy.

4. Prevent constipation

Constipation is more common in pregnant women, and flaxseeds are a natural laxative that can reduce and prevent this. Moreover, regular bowel movements can prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy, which causes a lot of discomfort for pregnant women.

5. Mineral supplements

The pregnant mother needs a lot of nutrients to meet the needs of your body and the fetus in the womb. The little tip is that minerals like magnesium, selenium and potassium are abundant in flaxseeds. Mother elected body will be supplemented with these essential minerals through the diet containing flaxseed.

6. Improve immunity

Pregnancy is a time when a woman's immunity is at its lowest. Thanks to its high nutrient content, flaxseeds can help the body strengthen immunity , protecting pregnant mothers from dangerous diseases such as infections.

7. Reduce the risk of heart disease

Pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes have a high risk of facing cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that these cardiovascular problems can be prevented because flaxseeds are known to contain blood thinners and prevent plaque build-up inside artery walls that could be dangerous. both pregnant woman and fetus.

Limitations of pregnant women eating flax seeds

In addition to the beneficial effects on the health of pregnant mothers, the consumption of flaxseeds also has limitations that pregnant mothers need to know. These include:

Raw flaxseeds contain small amounts of cyanide which can cause poisoning in pregnant mothers. Therefore, pregnant mothers absolutely should not eat raw, unprocessed flaxseeds to avoid poisoning and falling into high blood pressure .

Pregnant women may experience nausea and diarrhea when consuming flaxseeds in excess of the recommended amount.

If you are allergic to nuts, be cautious about consuming flaxseeds as you may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing or tightness around your chest.

Swelling of the lips is also a common side effect of eating flaxseeds during pregnancy.

Pregnant mothers should consume how much flaxseed is enough?

It is important that you consume flaxseeds in moderation throughout pregnancy, in addition to having an alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) requirement of about 1.4 g / day. The recommended intake is usually no more than one tablespoon of flaxseed per day. Flaxseeds are now also used as ingredients for many popular dishes such as bread or cookies, so careful consideration should be given to avoid overuse.

Additionally, doctors do not recommend raw flaxseed because it contains a small amount of cyanide. The best way to pre-cook these nuts before adding them to your diet is to roast them, because heat destroys the cyanide compounds in them.

It is best to grind the seeds into a powder for complete absorption. You can add this powder to smoothies or yogurt if you want to avoid direct consumption. Alternatively, you can also use flaxseed powder to add to your salads or morning cereal.

Remember to store flax seeds in a sealed container to keep the seeds fresh and crisp.

Although the benefits of flaxseed are very suitable for pregnant women, pregnant mothers should consult their doctor about dosage as well as how to use them to avoid experiencing unwanted side effects.