Turmeric is a well-known spice used in several dishes to make food much more tasty. This yellow substance provides medicinal properties, but is it safe to eat turmeric 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.
This article on Hipregnancy covers 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.
Can you take turmeric while pregnant?
Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family that can be used as powder or supplements. Is turmeric powder good for pregnancy? There are a few studies on the safety of consuming turmeric during pregnancy. Still, according to available results and my experience of prenatal care visits, 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 lady’s body, leading to 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.
Is turmeric supplements safe during pregnancy?
You may ask, “Can I have turmeric supplements during pregnancy?”. Let’s discuss it.
Strictly no! Taking turmeric supplements is forbidden during pregnancy, as a large amount of turmeric can put you at risk of issues. As a result, all pregnant ladies should avoid taking turmeric supplements, including powder, pills, or tablets.
Also Read: chicory root pregnancy
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. Consider that the number of studies on turmeric’s benefits during pregnancy is a few, and we can’t exactly say that the following will happen to you.
Here are 3 top potential benefits of consuming turmeric for pregnant woman, including;
- Boosting bay’s brain development
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.
- Relieving heartburn
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 the 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 help solve your problem. (Read more on apple cider vinegar and pregnancy)
- Reducing the chance of preeclampsia
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 will prove this idea entirely.
Consider turmeric provides other benefits besides those mentioned, 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 the previous part.
You can use milk, turmeric, sweetener, and cinnamon to make turmeric milk. (Read more on cinnamon during pregnancy) Consider that you should only add a small amount of turmeric to 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 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 cooking. Adding lemon and ginger to your turmeric tea makes it much more tasty and a better option for soothing morning sickness. Consuming turmeric tea during pregnancy can help you start your day well without facing morning sickness, nausea, or vomiting.
Always check the ingredient list of turmeric tea 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.
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. However, experts believe 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. It is advisable to consult your doctor about consuming turmeric when pregnant to enjoy having this spice with no concerns.
Can turmeric cause miscarriage?
High amounts of turmeric during pregnancy first trimester can cause bleeding. Unfortunately, heavy bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy can higher the risk of miscarriage. So, it is best to avoid turmeric supplementation to prevent any possible dangers.
Is turmeric safe during breastfeeding?
You may ask, “I ate turmeric while pregnant; can I have it while breastfeeding?”. Here is the answer.
Nursing moms 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 the mentioned symptoms, you should stop eating turmeric and visit your doctor.
To wrap it up
Pregnant ladies should be aware of the 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 about pregnancy and turmeric, share them with us via comment.
FAQs
1. Is turmeric good for pregnancy?
Turmeric is good for pregnancy, but should be taken in small amounts, not as supplements.
2. Is ginger and turmeric tea safe during pregnancy?
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 the “nutrition fact” label, not those with the “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 during pregnancy can cause uterine contractions or bleeding.