Is mangosteen good for pregnancy? This is a quite common question which many pregnant ladies ask for health care providers and us. What is more important for mothers to be is nothing but good nutritional food, care, and nourishing the growth of the fetus. A healthier lifestyle is given tremendous importance during this phase, which is again solely dependent on the mother to be. Hence there are several foods in the market which are widely recommended in the market, which are not only just beneficial but also help for fulfilling cravings. One such is mangosteen fruit, which is quite common during pregnancy.
What is mangosteen fruit?
Mangosteen is an exotic fruit that is predominantly found in south-east Asia due to the tropical climate here around. It is also referred to as the ‘queen of tropical fruits.’ It is packed with nutrients that are beneficial for the mother as well as the growing fetus. This fruit resembles a slight mix between peach and orange which gives acidic taste and tangy, sour taste. This fruit grows mostly in southwest India, and areas of Southeast Asia.
Is eating mangosteen safe for pregnancy:
The common question faced by several women is that ‘is mangosteen good for pregnancy?’ We understand the concern. Yes, it is totally safe to eat mangosteen during pregnancy. However, one should eat with very limited amounts instead of binge eating it in huge quantities. There are several nutritional richness also within the fruit, which makes it an advantage and a plus point if had with a limited amount. It helps to also safeguard your baby from abnormalities and malnutrition. However, it is essential to discuss it with your doctor once, like any other foods, before you start having it.
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Nutritional Benefits of Mangosteen during Pregnancy:
After learning about these multiple nutritional benefits of mangosteen, you surely will grab them during your pregnancy period. However, note that one should have this fruit in very limited quantities as prescribed by the doctor if possible.
A) Folate:
Folate is an essential nutrient for women during pregnancy and even when they plan to conceive. It has been found that a cup of mangosteen daily provides about 60 micrograms of folate. According to several types of research, it was found that folate in expectant mothers helps to reduce the risk of brain and spinal congenital disabilities by nearly 50-70%.
B) Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is vital during the pregnancy for the mother as well as the baby. Mangosteen is the powerhouse of Vitamin C, which is vital for the functioning of the immune system. Moreover, it also helps in reducing the risk of infection in the growing fetus.
C) Manganese:
Eating a cup of mangosteen gives 0.2 mg of manganese that aids the formation of cartilage and the skeletal system of the baby in your womb. Furthermore, the manganese present in mangosteen provides antioxidant properties, which protects the fetus as well as a mother from any cellular damage.
D) Fibres:
Mangosteen has a very high content of fibres that help to relieve the problem of constipation, stiffness in bowel movements that are experienced by the majority of expectant mothers during pregnancy. It was found that a cup of mangosteen provides 3.5 gms of fibres.
Benefits of Eating Mangosteen During Pregnancy:
While given above are the nutritional elements present in the mangosteen fruit, mangosteen benefits for pregnancy are also there. Few of them listed are here.
1. Xanthones:
Mangosteens also possess a complex compound known as xanthones that possess anti-cancer properties. It was found that this compound prevents the growth of cancerous cells in the body during your pregnancy.
The goodness of mangosteen also makes it an effective remedy for treating diabetes naturally. The beneficial properties in it help to regulate the glucose level in the blood and thereby remarkably reduce the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
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2. Prevents Anemia:
Besides these, mangosteen is also known to keep anaemia away. Its richness of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and many other medicinal properties, helps in regulating blood cells, thereby preventing anaemia.
3. Controls Cholesterol and Lowers the Risk of Stroke:
It is also known to promote cardiovascular health. Eating mangosteen fruit during pregnancy can reduce cholesterol levels and triglycerides in the blood, owing to its rich fibre content. This has the potential to increase the blood flow in the nervous system and thus to control the occurrence of stroke and heart attack. The good amount of potassium in it is beneficial in balancing the sodium and blood pressure level.
4. Better Skin Health:
When you apply mangosteen juice on the skin, you will see how it treats eczema and acne. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that will aid in improved skin health. It also keeps your skin moisture level high and hence protected from any sort of skin diseases.
5. Helps in Digestion:
Substitute your junk food with mangosteen or mangosteen juice to aid for better digestion. It has the right amount of fibre content that will help to expel out the toxins off your body.
6. Keeps Tuberculosis at Bay:
Studies have shown that eating mangosteen fruit during pregnancy will inhibit and kill the Mtb or Microbacterium tuberculosis, the sole bacteria responsible for causing tuberculosis.
Effects of Mangosteen during pregnancy:
The mangosteen fruit, with its richness in nutritional values, is perfect for the health of pregnant ladies. However, there are certain side effects to the group, which makes us recommend you to consult and advise with the doctor before having the fruit. One may experience insomnia, stomach issues, pain or nausea, and dizziness at times while having this fruit. This means it did not suit you, and you are advised to stop having this immediately if experienced.
How to include mangosteen during pregnancy diet:
Mangosteens can be used straight away directly after washing well and cutting them into slices. Mangosteen and pregnancy diet generally does with having mangosteen fruit separately. Further, some also prefer to make it into a salad with other fruits. You can also use the fruit to savour with other deserts.
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Hope you got to know about goodness and benefits of mangosteen for pregnant women. You can now safely include them in your diet but make sure to consult your doctor and take his opinion before mangosteen during your pregnancy period. The chemicals which may be present in fruit cannot do good for certain pregnant women as they may interfere with the prescription of particular drugs during that time. Eating in limits will make mangosteen good for pregnancy. But just as any other food, it is always good to consult the doctor and take his/her opinion before the consumption of particular food.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers:
Q1. Is mangosteen beneficial to get pregnant?
Ans: The fruit as such will not directly help you while trying to get pregnant. However, due to the presence of folic acid, it helps during pregnancy as it prevents anaemia after producing enough red blood cells.
Q2. Is eating mangosteen safe during breastfeeding?
Ans: It is always safe and good to consult and take the advice of a doctor before having the fruit while breastfeeding. This is because the fruit is generally good and advisable to eat in limited quantities due to the nutrition-rich values within. However, the case may vary as per the person.
Q3. Is mangosteen safe for your baby’s diet?
Ans: If your kid is below six months old, then generally this fruit is not recommended. However, because of the presence of high values of nutrition and several disease healing properties, the fruit is good for kids too. However, it is always recommended to take the advice of your doctor before proper or regular intake.
