Turmeric is a well-known spice used in several dishes to make the foods much more tasty. This yellow substance provides medicinal properties, but is turmeric safe during pregnancy? Can pregnant women use turmeric to boost the flavor of their dishes? the answer to these questions are what we want to discuss in the following parts.
In this article on Hipregnancy, we will cover all you need to know about consuming turmeric in pregnancy, including its safety, health benefits, possible risks, etc. Keep reading to the end to learn more about turmeric and pregnancy.
Is turmeric safe for pregnant ladies?
Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family that can be used as powder or supplements. There are a few studies on the safety of consuming turmeric during pregnancy, but according to available results, it is safe to have turmeric when pregnant in small amounts.
Hipregnancy warns you about taking medicinal quantities of turmeric in pregnancy, as consuming this yellow spice in large amounts can change the estrogen level in the pregnant ladies’ body which, leading uterine contractions and bleeding.
The best is to use turmeric only in small quantities to prevent pregnancy complications and benefit from its positive properties. The following parts of this article will show you how beneficial turmeric is and how to add it to your diet. Let’s continue!
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Benefits of turmeric during pregnancy
Pregnant ladies, who consume turmeric in small amounts, will not face any health issues, as this golden spice benefits both the mom and the growing baby. Here are 3 top potential benefits of consuming turmeric during pregnancy, including;
You might have heard that getting omega-3 while pregnant is essential for the baby’s brain development, as well as beans, meats, whole grains, nuts, and dark-green leafy vegetables. The same goes for turmeric.
Consuming turmeric while pregnant can reduce the body’s level of inflammation, which can boost the baby’s brain development. In other words, the chance of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, is lower in pregnant ladies who use a small amount of turmeric in their meals.
Eating turmeric in pregnancy first trimester or second trimester can treat heartburn or reduce the risk of digestive issues. Most pregnant ladies experience heartburn due to extra pressure of the growing fetus on the digestive tract.
The rule of thumb to treat this issue is to add options like turmeric or apple cider vinegar into your diet, which can be helpful in solving your problem. (Read more on apple cider vinegar and pregnancy)
As turmeric can reduce inflammatory markers, it can be useful in preventing preeclampsia. It is good to know that inflammation plays a role in occurring preeclampsia during pregnancy. Therefore, it is believed that consuming turmeric during pregnancy can prevent this issue, but more research is to prove this idea entirely.
Consider turmeric provides other benefits besides mentioned ones, such as relieving back and joint pain, easing swelling in pregnant ladies, and preventing pregnancy gingivitis. Hipregnancy recommends you consult your doctor before adding turmeric into your diet while pregnant to see whether it is safe for you or not. If yes, enjoy having it!
Is turmeric milk safe during pregnancy?
Overall, pregnant ladies should have caffeine-free beverages to reduce the negative effects of caffeine on pregnancy, including miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, high blood pressure, etc. Turmeric milk is what you are searching for. This nutritious beverage is safe for pregnant ladies and their babies and provides the health benefits mentioned in previous the part.
You can use milk, turmeric, sweetener, and cinnamon to make turmeric milk. (Read more on cinnamon during pregnancy) Consider you should only add a small amounts of turmeric into your milk. Make your milk with 1 teaspoon of turmeric or even less.
The adequate turmeric milk during pregnancy is only 1 serving per day. However, we recommend you talk to your doctor about the adequate amount, as each pregnancy is unique, and what we said is only general guidelines.
It is good to know that pre-prepared turmeric milk is available at stores. Whenever you want to buy ready-to-drink turmeric milk, check the ingredient label to ensure there are no unsafe herbal ingredients for pregnancy.
Follow the mentioned guidelines and enjoy turmeric milk in pregnancy second trimester, first, and third trimesters.
Is turmeric tea safe during pregnancy?
Morning sickness is annoying for most pregnant ladies, and they want to get rid of it. Fortunately, some foods and drinks can relieve morning sickness and nausea. Turmeric tea is one of those available items on the table.
You should use a small amount of turmeric to make tea, like in cooking. Adding lemon and ginger to your turmeric tea makes it much tasty and a better option for soothing morning sickness. Consuming turmeric tea during pregnancy can help you start your day with a good feeling without facing morning sickness, nausea, or vomiting.
Always check the ingredient list of turmeric tea available on store shelves to see whether there are unsafe ingredients; this will help you choose the best option without facing any health issues. To learn more about other pregnancy-safe teas, check the article titled best teas for pregnancy.
Turmeric on the skin while pregnant
Did you know that turmeric can make your skin glow? Yes, it is right! Here are some skin benefits of turmeric during pregnancy, including;
- Treating pregnancy-related acne
Since turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, it aids in removing pregnancy acne. Make a paste of turmeric and water, and rub it on the area of acne to see how useful it is in treating acne. If it is possible, make the paste with ½ tablespoon of turmeric powder, ½ tablespoon of honey, and ½ tablespoon of milk to get greater results.
- Treating stretch marks
Make a mask with turmeric and curd to remove stretch marks on the stomach area or other areas of skin,. Apply it over the stretch marks, leave it for about 15 minutes, and wash off the area. Considerto using this paste on your face daily is not recommended, but you can use it on your stomach regularly to get rid of your stretch marks.
- Lightning the skin tone
Using turmeric during pregnancy can reduce hyper-pigmentation and prevents the overproduction of melanin. You can make a paste of turmeric, lime juice, and cucumber, and extract juice from it to lighten the tone of your skin. Apply the paste on the pigmented, leave it for about 20 minutes, and wash it off.
Potential risks of turmeric during pregnancy
Since the number of studies on having turmeric during pregnancy is limited, there is not much information about the negative effects of turmeric on pregnancy. But experts are believed that taking large doses of turmeric as a supplement can cause difficulties.
Curcumin, a substance in turmeric, can cause bleeding if taken in large doses. In addition, miscarriage and birth defects may occur if you have large amounts of turmeric while pregnant. It is advisable to consult your doctor about consuming turmeric while pregnant to enjoy having this spice with no concerns.
Is turmeric safe during breastfeeding?
Nursing can consume turmeric, but they should moderate their intake. Eating turmeric during breastfeeding provides the following health benefits, including;
- Promoting digestion
- Strengthening immune system
- Preventing liver disease
- Managing weight
- Regulating cholesterol levels
- Minimizing inflammation
- Boosting brain function
- Relieving joint and back pain
Consider that taking turmeric supplements while breastfeeding is forbidden. The only safe way to have turmeric after pregnancy is to add small amounts to your food or drinks. It is recommended to consult your doctor before including turmeric in your postpartum diet.
While turmeric is safe while breastfeeding, some nursing mothers may experience diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and stomach aches after eating turmeric. If you experience any of mentioned symptoms, you should stop eating turmeric and visit your doctor.
To wrap it up
Pregnant ladies should be aware of best food for pregnant, as well as forbidden options. Now, you know that when it comes to eating turmeric during pregnancy, you should have it in small doses. Otherwise, you might face its potential risks, including uterine contractions and bleeding.
We are ready to know your ideas or experience about having turmeric in pregnancy. If there are any points, share them with us via comment.
FAQs
1. Can I have turmeric supplements during pregnancy?
Strictly no! Taking turmeric supplements is forbidden during pregnancy, as a large amount of turmeric can cause put you at risk of issues. As a result, all pregnant ladies should avoid taking turmeric supplements, including powder, pills, or tablets.
2. Is ginger and turmeric tea safe during pregnancy?
Of course. Turmeric and ginger products, including tea, are safe to consume while pregnant, as both turmeric and ginger benefit pregnant ladies. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties, making them good options during pregnancy.
3. Is turmeric latte safe during pregnancy?
A turmeric latte is considered safe while pregnant. But whenever you want to buy packaged turmeric latte mixes, look for those products with “nutrition fact” label, not those with “supplement fact” label.
4. How much turmeric is safe during pregnancy?
Turmeric should be consumed in limited amounts found in certain dishes or drinks. Otherwise, consuming too much turmeric can cause uterine contractions or bleeding.
5. Can turmeric cause miscarriage?
High amounts of turmeric during pregnancy’s first trimester can cause bleeding. Unfortunately, heavy bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy can higher the risk of miscarriage.
6. Is turmeric powder good for pregnancy?
Turmeric powder is good for pregnant women if used as spice in dishes or in certain drinks or teas.
7. Is turmeric supplement safe during pregnancy?
Since consuming high quantities of turmeric is harmful during pregnancy, pregnant ladies should avoid taking turmeric as a supplement.
