Capers, also known as Flinders Rose are unripe flower buds of the Capparis Spinosa plant. These buds grow on short prickly flowery shrubs and are found across rock laden mountains or alongside roads plus highways.
Capers are an inseparable ingredient in several mediterranean delicacies and are commonly found in the deciduous regions of South Africa and India. They also sustain well in the dry and arid climates of the sandy desert regions. Capers range from the size of a small pea to that of an olive, and can be eaten in a variety of ways.
You can take it as a snack or add it as an ingredient in omelets, fish cuisines and tomato sauce. Due to their tangy and sour taste, capers are widely used as toppings in salads and as seasoning or garnishing in an assortment of dishes.
Capers are high in source of vitamins- A and K, Riboflavin, Niacin, Flavonoids, Photo-nutrients, Iron, Calcium and Copper. They are known to be effective in controlling and preventing several diseases, such as- diabetes, arthritis, paralysis, amnesia, liver defects and stomach infections. However, capers are known to harbor blood thinning properties that might prove fatal during operations and surgeries.
♦ Can you Eat Capers while Pregnant?
The pregnancy phase results in cravings for sour and tangy tit bits; and capers easily serve this purpose. However, it is a recurrent concern among many expecting mothers about the safety of consuming capers when pregnant. To get a detailed idea about the several aspects of capers, let us look down at the points below.
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♦ Caper Benefits during Pregnancy:
1. Caper is rich in Vitamin A, Rutin, Quercetin and Anti Oxidant Agents. These compounds inhibit the formation of free radicals in the body, thereby preventing the occurrence of several types of cancer both in the mother and the baby.
2. Vitamin B12 in caper along with its various nutrients and minerals help in endowing a pregnant woman with vibrancy and energy.
3. Huge quantities of fibers in caper aid in the control of flatulence, constipation and irregular bowel movements in expecting mothers
4. Pregnancy is a period of several skin disorders. Caper can help a great deal in keeping the skin moist, in preventing against several skin infections, like- inflammation, soreness, pimples and irritations.
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5. Capers contain high amounts of minerals, like – calcium, iron, copper, and sodium. Intake of capers in pregnancy aids in the strengthening of bones both in the mother and the fetus. Copper in caper helps in the release of those enzymes which are responsible for healthy body functions.
6. The huge quantities of iron present in Caper, helps in maintaining the hemoglobin count. This prevents expecting mothers from the adverse affects of anemia.
7. Caper is also a source of Niacin, which is highly effective in controlling blood cholesterol levels
8. Caper buds minimizes the formation of plaques in blood vessels. As a result they lead to a smooth blood flow and also reduce the chances of cardio vascular diseases.
9. Other than the above, capers also aid in the treatment of strangury, intoxication habits and arthritic pains.
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Excessive consumption of caper increases the chances of several risks during pregnancy, such as- too much of bleeding, pre labor cramps, and miscarriage and skin rashes. The blood thinning agent in caper is responsible for acute complications during surgery or caesarian delivery. Caper is also rich in sodium content. So at times this may result in increased blood pressure or even heighten the chances of osteoporosis in pregnant women. Hence, never forget to seek the advice of your health consultant before adding this ingredient to your pregnancy diet list.
