Juicy red cranberries are a source of vitamins, minerals, pectins, antioxidants and many other beneficial substances. It is not for nothing that this berry is included in numerous traditional medicine recipes that allow you to cope not only with colds, but also strengthen the immune system, reduce temperature and blood pressure, and also have an anti-inflammatory effect. During pregnancy, when many medications are banned, it is these natural remedies that become a real salvation for expectant mothers. So how to take cranberries correctly during pregnancy and what should you pay special attention to?
Benefits of cranberries during pregnancy
First of all, cranberries (in almost any form) are an excellent remedy for strengthening the immune system. This is especially important in the autumn-winter period and early spring, when the traditional lack of vitamins, warmth and sunlight weakens the body and makes it susceptible to all kinds of infectious diseases. During pregnancy, this condition can be aggravated by a natural decrease in the body's defense reactions against the background of hormonal changes. Therefore, it is very important to support the immune system in a timely manner and ensure a supply of vitamin C, which is necessary to fight pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
Cranberries also contain all the essential B vitamins, including vitamin B9, better known as folic acid, the deficiency of which can cause disturbances in the formation of the placenta and the baby’s nervous system in the early stages. The berries also contain provitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin K, iron, iodine, calcium and zinc. This composition helps prevent the development of anemia (anemia), which often affects pregnant women, and problems with the thyroid gland, skin, teeth and joints. In addition, cranberries contain potassium, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system and helps remove excess fluid from the body. Thanks to this effect, the risk of edema and increased blood pressure (hypertension), which poses a huge danger for expectant mothers and their babies, is reduced.
In addition, cranberry normalizes metabolism, helps remove toxins from the body, and thins the blood (which, combined with strengthening the walls of blood vessels, helps avoid thrombosis and varicose veins).
Cranberry for pregnant women
In addition to all the above qualities of a juicy red berry, the list of beneficial properties of cranberries during pregnancy can be continued for a very long time.
Fresh cranberries normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and berry juice lowers temperature, strengthens blood capillaries and allows the female body to better absorb vitamin C.
The main diuretic during pregnancy is also cranberry, while having a mild diuretic effect. For kidney disease, bladder inflammation, and vitamin deficiency, cranberry is an excellent therapeutic agent.
Cranberries with sugar are effective in treating colds, bronchitis, sore throat and tonsillitis. In the first months of pregnancy, when toxicosis in all its manifestations is a concern, a woman is recommended to consume these sour berries, which help improve appetite and normalize the digestive system. Thanks to its diuretic properties, cranberries help prevent swelling during pregnancy.
For expectant mothers, berry fruit drinks are also recommended for the following problems:
- blockage of veins in the legs;
- nervous tension, postpartum depression;
- gastritis with low acidity, colitis;
- high cholesterol;
- ARVI, cold, cough;
- immunodeficiency;
- risk of miscarriage;
- toxicosis;
- headache;
- brittle nails, as well as to strengthen the skeletal system of the fetus;
- treatment of cystitis;
- normalization of the uterus.
Features of eating cranberries at different stages of pregnancy
In the absence of contraindications, cranberries can be safely consumed during pregnancy both in the early stages and in the last trimester, and even after childbirth, when it will contribute to a speedy recovery (including the healing of sutures). However, at certain stages it is worth paying attention to the various properties of cranberries.
So in the first trimester, when more than half of pregnant women suffer from toxicosis, sour cranberries or a drink made from them will help cope with attacks of nausea and replenish the supply of vitamins, especially necessary for the body due to malnutrition as a result of vomiting and loss of appetite.
In the second trimester, the load on the cardiovascular system increases significantly. The vitamins and minerals contained in cranberries help not only maintain the functioning of the heart, but also strengthen the walls of blood vessels, which is important for several reasons:
- firstly, throughout pregnancy, oxygen and nutrients are supplied to the baby through the placenta, the condition of the vessels and capillaries of which largely determines the development and health of the child;
- secondly, changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy lead to relaxation of smooth muscles, including the walls of blood vessels, which in turn can cause the development of varicose veins.
In the third trimester, the vast majority of women are faced with the problem of edema of varying severity, which not only can be dangerous in itself, but also often leads to increased blood pressure. Cranberry not only has a diuretic effect, but also helps remove excess fluid from body tissues, preventing its further accumulation.
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In addition to all of the above, cranberry is considered an excellent remedy for the prevention and treatment of cystitis, which, unfortunately, women often have to face during pregnancy. Therefore, we can make an unambiguous conclusion that this berry can not only be included in the diet of a pregnant woman, but should also be included in it almost without fail. The main thing to remember is that heat treatment destroys most of the beneficial substances, including vitamin C. So it’s definitely not worth making jam or compote from cranberries.
The healing properties of berry juices and fruit drinks
During pregnancy, gynecologists often diagnose iron deficiency anemia. A woman experiences weakness, fatigue, excessive hair loss, and separation of the nail plates. The lack of this microelement negatively affects the emotional background of the expectant mother, as well as the uteroplacental blood flow. The sour berry contains such a high concentration of iron that daily consumption of two glasses of fruit drink or 200 ml of juice will prevent the occurrence of a pathological condition. The benefits of cranberries for pregnant women also include the following healing effects:
- Improved blood circulation. Bioflavonoids from the chemical composition of marsh berries increase the elasticity of arteries, veins, capillaries, and normalize microcirculation;
- Reducing the level of sugar and cholesterol in the systemic circulation. Organic cranberry acids (benzoic, citric, malic, oxalic) remove harmful triglycerides from large blood vessels and restore the active functioning of the endocrine pancreas;
- Prevention of tumor formation. Berry anthocyanins prevent cell transformation at the genetic level, which becomes an excellent prevention of malignant and benign neoplasms;
- Normalization of hematopoiesis. Daily consumption of cranberries for pregnant women has a beneficial effect on blood composition. It increases the content of hemoglobin and red blood cells - carriers of molecular oxygen;
- Elimination of deficiency of biologically active substances. Due to the presence of a combination of beneficial compounds in the berry, a course of drinking drinks not only replenishes the reserves of vitamins and microelements, but also ensures their delivery to cells and tissues.
Warning: The most beneficial substances for a pregnant woman are found in fresh berries. A small part of the vitamins is lost during freezing, but after heat treatment of cranberries, the concentration of bioactive compounds is significantly reduced.
During pregnancy, a woman should receive twice the amount of nutrients from food, since their deficiency primarily affects the appearance and well-being of the mother, and not the child. The sour swamp berry contains many antioxidants that prevent the formation of free radicals in the body. If the expectant mother regularly drinks cranberry drinks, then she will not have problems with her skin, nails, and hair.
How to take cranberries during pregnancy?
Cranberries are useful in almost any form (if you do not expose them to high temperatures for a long time), so choosing in which form to consume them can be based solely on personal preferences.
- fresh berries
Cranberries ripen in early autumn; it is at this time that the berries are not only tasty, but also filled with vitamins. Nevertheless, they can be stored for quite a long time without losing their beneficial properties and can be frozen if desired.
To maintain immunity, literally 10-15 fresh berries a day are enough, and you can eat them either separately or as part of various salads and other dishes, to which cranberries will add some bright colors and a unique sourness.
- with sugar
Cranberries with sugar are no less healthy, despite the increasing calorie content. Moreover, in this way you can not only sweeten sour fresh berries, but also prepare them for the winter, which will help preserve all the beneficial properties. To do this, just grind the berries, mix with sugar in a ratio of approximately 1/1 and put into jars. Since grated cranberries are not subjected to heat treatment, vitamins and other beneficial compounds are not at risk.
The resulting preparation can be eaten as jam, for example, added to porridge, or you can prepare a tasty and healthy drink - just dilute a few spoons with cold water and strain.
- tea
For cranberry tea, you can use not only berries (both fresh and dry), but also leaves; if desired, they can be added to regular black tea or supplemented with a mixture of raspberry and black currant leaves and berries. This decoction is considered an effective remedy for headaches and increases the body’s performance and endurance.
— fruit drink
Morse is usually made from fresh berries, but ice cream is also suitable. To make a refreshing drink, add boiling water to the cranberries, then cool to room temperature and add sugar to taste. 1-2 glasses of this drink daily will help restore the supply of vitamins, strengthen the immune system, prevent the development of anemia and significantly reduce the risk of cystitis.
Morse
The good thing about the cranberry juice recipe is that the fruits are not subject to heat treatment. The berries are washed thoroughly. The juice is squeezed out of them, the more the better. It fits in the refrigerator. The remaining slurry is filled with water. For 150 g of gruel, take 1 liter of water. The resulting mixture must be boiled and filtered. The squeezed juice is mixed with sugar and added to the gruel. Sugar can be replaced with honey. This fruit drink is recommended for mothers to prevent or get rid of edema.
You can add freshly squeezed potato juice to the already prepared fruit drink. Before this, it must stand for an hour, and the resulting starch must be drained. The recipe allows you to add honey mixed with vanilla sugar to improve the taste of the resulting drink.
It is worth remembering that cranberries lose their beneficial properties when heated. Therefore, berries for fruit juice should be filled with warm, not hot, water.
Contraindications and possible harm
Unfortunately, as is the case with any, even the most healthy, product, there are limitations when consuming cranberries. It is strictly not recommended for:
- diseases of the digestive system in the acute stage (especially gastritis or ulcers);
- increased stomach acidity;
- low blood pressure (hypotension);
- renal failure;
- individual intolerance (presence of an allergic reaction).
Those women who have a tendency to increased uterine tone should treat cranberries with caution, since the high content of vitamin C can provoke another attack. In fairness, it is worth noting that the beak itself, if not eaten in unlimited quantities, cannot lead to an overdose of ascorbic acid. But, in combination with other foods and artificial vitamins, berries actually increase the risk. Cranberry is also dangerous if you have low blood clotting, as it has anticoagulant properties and can cause bleeding, which in turn poses a risk of miscarriage.
Finally
Cranberries in almost any form will perfectly complement a pregnant woman’s diet, help maintain the balance of vitamins and minerals, prevent the development of various infectious diseases and strengthen the body. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect will allow the expectant mother to cope with many problems without resorting to the help of harmful chemicals.
Especially for beremennost.net – Ksenia Dakhno
Ingredients of cranberries
Since ancient times, cranberries have been considered one of the healthiest berries. She was an indispensable assistant for many diseases, helping to increase the body's defenses.
In addition, it contains the following components:
- Vitamin C - no less than in citrus fruits and currants. Thanks to it, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened. The vitamin promotes the formation of new blood cells, nourishes cartilage, making it more elastic. Also has antioxidant properties. The beneficial properties of vitamin C do not end there; it is also involved in the production of carnitine, a substance responsible for energy formation.
- Bioflavonoids are substances that have a bactericidal effect and have anti-inflammatory properties and enhance immunity.
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6) – have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, improve memory, and increase the body’s resistance to stress. Helps in the development of the child’s organs and systems.
- Microelements such as potassium, iodine, zinc, magnesium, iron are essential substances for the normal functioning of the body, improve the functioning of the heart, thyroid gland, and kidneys.
- Glucose is the main source of nutrition for the brain and skeletal muscles. Increases the performance of organs and systems.
- Organic acids - take part in various types of metabolism in the body, contribute to the formation of energy and speed up metabolism.
Cranberries have a lot of medicinal properties. Its main benefits are due to its rich chemical composition, which harmoniously combines vitamins and minerals vital for the proper functioning of the human body.
Did you know? Since 1980, cinema began to actively use cranberry juice as fake blood.
Nutritional value per 100 g of fresh cranberries:
- calorie content - 28 kcal;
- proteins - 0.5 g;
- fats - 0.2 g;
- carbohydrates - 3.7 g;
- dietary fiber - 3.3 g;
- organic acids - 3.1 g, of which saturated fatty acids account for 0.011 g, Omega-3 - 0.022 g, Omega-6 - 0.033 g, the rest is oxalic, malic, quinic, citric, chlorogenic, glycolic, benzoic;
- water - 88.9 g;
- ash - 0.3 g;
- cholesterol - 0 g.
In addition to the above, the product in question includes pectins and flavonoids.
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- Regular consumption of cranberries allows you to:
- provide the body with valuable vitamins and minerals, which helps strengthen the immune system;
- relieve swelling by removing excess fluid from tissues naturally;
- improve the condition of the skin, increase its elasticity, slow down the aging process by optimizing regeneration functions at the cellular level;
- speed up metabolism;
- increase blood clotting;
- eliminate inflammatory processes;
- regulate blood pressure (blood pressure);
- improve overall health in hypertension and atherosclerosis;
- strengthen gums;
- remove waste and toxins;
- increase hemoglobin, which helps get rid of signs of anemia.
- Squeeze juice from cranberries.
- Pour cold water over the squeezed berries and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
- After cooling, the broth is filtered.
- Mix the decoction and juice.
You can add granulated sugar to the prepared fruit drink. If desired, you can add honey to the drink.
You can make a fruit drink from frozen cranberries for pregnant women.
Advice! To defrost berries correctly, it is not advisable to put them in a microwave oven or pour boiled water over them. With such actions they lose their beneficial properties.
You need to drink half a glass of fruit drink per day.
You can consume cranberry-lingonberry juice during pregnancy. To prepare it, take the following products:
- lingonberries - 2 tbsp. l.;
- cranberries – 2 tbsp. l.;
- water – 0.5 l;
- sugar - to taste.
Step-by-step preparation:
- Rinse the berries thoroughly and squeeze the juice out of them.
- Pour the squeezed product with water and place on low heat.
- Cook for less than 5 minutes. Cool and strain.
- Combine 2 drinks, stirring with a spoon.
- You can add sugar and honey to taste.
Advice! When preparing cranberry products, it is advisable to use dishes that do not oxidize.
This fruit drink fights colds, swelling of the legs, arms and face. The product improves the functioning of vascular-cardiac activity and normalizes metabolic processes in the body.
- gastritis associated with increased acidity of gastric juice;
- hypotension;
- liver failure;
- enterocolitis;
- acute inflammation of the digestive organs;
- peptic ulcer;
- diarrhea;
- risk of miscarriage;
- individual intolerance to the product.
Warning! You should take the berry with caution if you have urolithiasis and gout.
