Many women who like to eat acai berries, with the onset of pregnancy wonder: is acai safe during pregnancy? Our answer is yes. And more about the nuances and limitations we will tell in our article.
Acai berry is stated to have a number of health advantages and there are likewise stories with its capabilities to treat sexual disorders or reduce weight. The truth is acai is as good as any other fruit for human beings.
However this may or may not hold excellent if you are pregnant. If you are a berry lover, or you feel tempted to eat acai berry during pregnancy, read our article here to know more about the fruit effects.
Is Acai Berry a Superfood?
The grapelike fruit grows on acai palm trees, endemic to the rainforests of South America. The high nutrient value of acai berry makes it a genuine ‘superfood’.
Some positives of taking in the berry include alleviating arthritis, managing high cholesterol level, promoting weight loss and enhancing skin health.
Is Acai Safe During Pregnancy?
Is acai berry safe during pregnancy? Acai berry, being a nutrient-dense fruit, can be included in your pregnancy diet. The amino acids present in it promote fetal growth. The abundance of essential minerals and vitamins promote the proper development of your unborn baby.
Additionally, the anti-oxidants in acai berry help your body fight free radicals and lower the risk of abortion or miscarriage.
The fiber-rich food enhances food digestion and helps overcome pregnancy-induced constipation, and diarrhea. If you dislike the fruit or other berries, refrain from eating acai berry during pregnancy.
Health Benefits of Acai Berry During Pregnancy
In the last few years, people in western countries have become more inclined towards consuming acai berries during pregnancy, as they include healthy nutrients and minerals. The prospective health benefits of the fruit are:
Enhances Blood Circulation
The existence of anthocyanins, a common type of plan anti-oxidants, in acai berry removes the free radicals and safeguards you from heart diseases.
The antioxidants help manage your blood cholesterol level, and thus reduce the risk of a stroke, heart attack, or atherosclerosis.
During pregnancy, you are at greater risk of struggling with hypertension. The sterols of acai berries serve as vasodilators and help unwind your blood vessels, which even more reduces your elevated blood pressure levels.
Helps Digestion
The strong detoxifying results of acai berry help cleanse your digestive system and excrete all the undesirable contaminants that have been building up in your stomach.
Additionally, the high levels of dietary fiber promote digestion, and your body can quickly take in the healthy nutrients from foods.
The dietary fiber regulates your bowel movement during pregnancy and reduces the chances of constipation and other digestive problems.
During the first trimester of gestation, the majority of expectant mamas struggle with diarrhea that lasts longer. However, by taking in acai berry or other fiber-rich foods, the stool ends up being bulkier, and it helps you overcome the condition.
Enhances Fertility
Women who wish to develop should consume acai berry routinely. The crucial nutrients and minerals in the fruit enhance fertility rate among women and promote natural conception.
Antioxidant Properties
Acai berry contains healthy natural compounds like procyanidins and flavonoids, which help your body expel damaging contaminants.
Your body produces totally free radicals as by-products of food digestion. Exposing your body to excess sunshine or cigarette smoke (from the smoker) can trigger violent chemical reactions and impose damaging impacts for your baby.
The damage caused by totally free radicals can also increase your risk of developing cancer and heart disease.
The natural antioxidants present in acai berry reduce the effects of the complimentary radicals and remove the hazardous wastes.
Enhances Immune System
The high portions of Vitamin C and ellagic acid in acai berry, make it an outstanding immune booster, which in turn keeps your coming baby safe from infections.
Energy Booster
Consuming acai berry during pregnancy can enhance your energy levels and endurance and help you combat tiredness, sleepiness, and fatigue. Whenever you require an energy increase, you can consider eating a handful of acai berries.
Threats of Consuming Acai Berry During Pregnancy
While there are several favorable elements of consuming acai berry during pregnancy, there exist particular threats associated with the fruit:
Allergic Reaction
If you are allergic to berries, pollen or other fruits, speak with the gynecologist before consisting of acai berry in your pregnancy diet.
Just like numerous other food, lots of people can likewise dislike acai berry. If there are the following signs seen when acai berry is taken in then it is suggested to totally prevent it:
- An unforeseen rash, hives, itching.
- Swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Wheezing or shortness of breath or real trouble in breathing.
High in Calories
With a stack of health advantages, many women frequently have the tendency to over-consume acai berries as juice or supplements.
However, as the berry contains a high percentage of sugars and calories, it can set off lots of negative impacts on your health. If you suffer from gestational diabetes, prevent acai berry during pregnancy.
Miscarriage
If acai berry is consumed in a big amounts, it can result in unusual activities of the reproductive organs and promote uterine contractions and can cause miscarriage.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Acai berry can likewise lead to diarrhea caused by irritation of the digestive tract when it is consumed in big amounts.
Different other symptoms like muscular cramps, abdominal pain, incorrect defecation, and dehydration can likewise be caused due to excess intake of this fruit.
Headaches
Some pregnant women who are allergic to acai berry can also establish headaches if they take in acai berry supplements and its juice.
Ways to Consume Acai Berry in Your Pregnancy Diet
Focused acai juice has a rather frustrating taste. So, here are some various ways in which you can take in the juice:
- Water down acai juice with plain water, so that you can end up being habituated with the strong flavor.
- You can blend acai juice with other fruit juices like orange, pomegranate, or blackberry juice.
- Add some acai berry juice to a basic soda, to mask the strong taste of acai berry.
- You can blend acai berry juice with soy milk or almond milk.
- To cover the powerful flavor of acai, try blending it with your regular coffee.
Recipe Using Acai Berries
Here is a simple acai berry dish that you can include in your pregnancy diet strategy:
Acai Purée
Hands-on time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Using frozen fruit in the acai purée helps to accomplish a thick consistency, however prevent including ice, as it can water down the tastes. For the topping, fresh fruit works best, however frozen and defrosted can also operate in a pinch.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 small banana
- 1 100-g (3.5-oz) pack frozen unsweetened acai berry pulp (prior to opening your acai pack, run pack under water for 5 seconds to thaw and break the frozen pulp into smaller sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Garnishes:
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/2 kiwi, peeled and sliced or sliced
- 1/2 small banana, sliced
- 1/4 cup peeled and chopped pineapple or mango
- 1/4 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup granola, optional
- drizzle of raw honey, optional.
Directions:
Prepare acai purée: In a blender, include banana, acai pulp, strawberries, blueberries and a splash of milk. (TIP: Add to blender because order as adding softer ingredients first makes it easier on your blender blades.) Mix on low up until larger pieces are broken down, then gradually increase speed, including a splash of milk at a time, and stopping to scrape downsides of mixer if needed. When active ingredients have mostly come together and all of milk has actually been added, mix on high for 15 to 20 seconds more.
Include garnishes: Pour acai purée into a bowl and set up garnishes in stripes of their particular color to form a rainbow: from left to right, organize blueberries, kiwi, banana, pineapple and strawberries. Sprinkle with granola and drizzle with honey.
Acai Berry Smoothie
You Will Need:
- 1/2 cup acai berry pulp
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 banana sliced
- Sugar to taste
How To:
Add banana pieces, orange juice, acai pulp, and sugar in a blender. Blend the contents until you acquire a smooth shake. Serve the healthy smoothie with ice.
We hope the above info was practical. Did you consume acai berry while pregnant? Did you experience any side-effects? Did the fruit help increase your nutritional intake during pregnancy? Do not hesitate to share if you know any info.
