Garlic is a nutrient-dense vegetable used as flavoring in cooking. This vegetable offers medicinal benefits, beside nutritional benefits. But is garlic safe during pregnancy? Can expecting mothers add it into their diet? This is what we want to cover here.
In this article on Hipregnancy, we will guide you through consuming garlic during pregnancy, whether it is safe or not, its benefits, side effects, etc. If you enjoy the taste of garlic and want to have it in your recipes, read on.
Can pregnant women eat garlic during pregnancy?
Pregnancy has many ups and downs when it comes to diet. Pregnant ladies who want to give birth to a healthier baby, should be aware of the safety of the food options added into their diet. They should choose the foods falls into the category of what can pregnant woman eat.
In addition, they should learn about the unsafe food option for pregnant ladies, or things not to eat when pregnant to support a healthy pregnancy and prevent any complications. Now, let’s talk about eating garlic during pregnancy, whether it is safe or not.
Here is some good news for those expecting mothers who love the taste of garlic! It is safe to consume garlic in pregnancy, as it provides several health benefits. This herb is widely used in various recipes and it makes the foods much tasty. Let’s continue to learn about consuming garlic in detail.
4 common benefits of consuming garlic during pregnancy
Adding garlic into your dishes while pregnant come with the following health benefits, including;
1. Increasing baby weight
According to studies, garlic aids in boosting the birth weight of the babies. In such cases, consuming garlic while pregnant can highly decrease the chance of giving birth to an underweight baby or preterm birth.
If you consume garlic during pregnancy third trimester, you can prevent preterm birth, as garlic can support the normal baby weight, reducing infections, and lowers the blood pressure, which are the most common causes of preterm birth.
Hipregnancy recommends you check, “what to eat in the third trimester?”.
2. Preventing preeclampsia
Although the number of studies on garlic’s effect on high blood pressure is limited, available data show that having garlic in pregnancy can lower the risk of preeclampsia or high blood pressure which occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Consuming garlic during pregnancy second trimester, can help you prevent preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication followed by premature delivery, decreased blood flow, and reduce growth of the fetus.
Consider, if you plan eat herbs like garlic or other pregnancy superfoods, you can reduce the chance of pregnancy complications and boost the growth and development of the fetus in return.
3. Lowering the risk of infections, cold, and flu
The immune system of pregnant women is weaker than others, therefore, they should consume foods which can boost their immune system to prevent infections.
Those who consume garlic during pregnancy first trimester or at other stages, can decrease the risk of infection, like cold and the flu, due to potential immune-boosting properties of garlic. To learn more about the foods that you can enjoy at early stages of pregnancy, check best foods for first trimester.
4. Preventing hair loss
You may experience hair loss during pregnancy, which can make you stressful, as having strong and beautiful hair is so important for ladies. Since garlic contains allicin, a sulfur-based compound, it can prevent hair falling, and boost the growth of new hair as well.
Eating eggs during pregnancy, or fruits, nuts, leafy green vegetables, and fatty fish can help you control hair fall in this period, and enjoy your pregnancy time without facing issues like hair loss.
How much garlic can you eat during pregnancy?
Generally speaking, even if you add pregnancy-safe foods into your diet, without being aware of how much you can eat the selected foods, you can’t support a healthy pregnancy. In other words, if you consume healthy foods in excess, you will face harmful effects.
As a result, you must be aware of the adequate amount of garlic for pregnant ladies. According to research, pregnant ladies can enjoy consuming 204 cloves of garlic per day. But it is more advisable to consult your doctor about the adequate amount of garlic for your body, as each pregnancy is unique.
Avoid eating garlic during pregnancy second and third trimester, as this can lower your blood pressure levels and thin your blood, which can put the health of you and your baby at risk. Contact your doctor beforehand to prevent any health issues!
Is black garlic safe during pregnancy?
The short answer to this question is yes, but it is good to talk about in detail. Let’s get started.
Black garlic is a strong antioxidant, which has gone through a process of high-heat fermentation. This process kills microorganisms and makes black garlic a safe option for pregnant ladies and their babies as well.
Furthermore, the digestion of black garlic is much easier and faster than white garlic, therefore, your body will absorb its nutrients quicker. This means that if you consume black garlic in pregnancy, you absorb its benefits in a shorter time compared with white garlic.
This kind of garlic has jelly-like texture and rich flavor, which makes it a good choice as a snack. (Read more about good pregnancy snacks)
Is garlic supplement safe during pregnancy?
Garlic supplement is available in different forms, including tablets, pills, extracts, and tinctures. The question is, can pregnant ladies have garlic supplements?
To answer the mentioned question, we should say that there isn’t much research regarding the use of garlic supplements in pregnancy, whether it is good or not. But according to available studies, using it can be good for those suffering preeclampsia.
Since garlic can lower blood pressure, it can help pregnant ladies with preeclampsia to keep their blood pressure under control, but excessive amounts of it can cause very low blood pressure, which can put pregnancy at risk.
Hipregnancy advices you talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before trying garlic supplements during pregnancy, to see if they are suitable for you. The green light of your doctor regarding consumption of garlic during pregnancy can make you sure about your choice.
Side effects of garlic during pregnancy
While consuming garlic in pregnancy is generally safe for pregnant ladies and the growing baby, having it in excess can lead to a few side effects. Here are some common side effects of garlic consumption while pregnant, including;
- Increasing the chance of heartburn and indigestion, especially in those with GERD and IBS during pregnancy
- Uncontrolled bleeding during delivery, especially C-section
- Increasing insulin release, followed by low blood sugar levels
- Lowering the ability to absorb iodine and leading to Hypothyroidism
- Causing low blood pressure levels
Consider if you don’t overeat garlic during pregnancy, you will not face the above mentioned side effects.
Conclusion
Garlic is a well-known herb among people, as it is used in several dishes. In this article on Hipregnancy we covered the answer to this question, “Is garlic safe to eat during pregnancy?”. Now, you know that you can enjoy garlic while pregnant but you should not overeat it, as this may put you and your baby at risk.
If you have any questions regarding garlic consumption during pregnancy, contact us via comment. We are here to help all moms-to-be worldwide!
FAQs
1. Is garlic bread safe during pregnancy?
Yes, of course. Garlic bread is a pregnancy-safe option, but it is better to avoid pre-packaged garlic bread, as it is usually high in salt. You can enjoy homemade garlic bread or less salty options instead.
2. Is garlic powder safe during pregnancy?
Garlic powder is considered safe for pregnant ladies and the growing baby. This powder is a great flavoring for making your foods more delicious, especially when you can’t enjoy your foods due to morning sickness.
3. Can I eat cooked garlic while pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to consume cooked garlic in pregnancy, as it is a nutrient-dense herb proving multiple health benefits.
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