Like red apples, consuming green apples during pregnancy has several health benefits. They are a little sour in taste and are mostly used for cooking. However, you can enjoy them raw and reap several benefits such as better digestion, healthy skin, and prevention of DNA damage, to name a few. However, you should avoid consuming many of them because excess green apples may cause side effects. Read the post to know about the benefits of eating green apples when pregnant and the side effects of eating too many of them.
Benefits Of Green Apples During Pregnancy
Your body needs an extra dose of nutrients during pregnancy. It has to support two lives, after all! With green apples in your diet, you can expect the following benefits:
1. Good for digestion
You can expect a lot of digestive issues, like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome during your pregnancy journey (1). Green apples contain a lot of fiber, which can help keep your digestive system running smoothly.
2. Improves appetite
Has your appetite gone for a toss? That’s a pretty normal experience for pregnant women. But the tart taste of green apple may just be the thing you need to jump-start your appetite!
3. Prevents DNA damage
Your body goes through a lot of wear and tear during pregnancy. This can lead to DNA damage, which can further cause cancer (2). Green apples contain antioxidants and can help prevent DNA damage in your body.
4. Can prevent preeclampsia
High blood pressure or preeclampsia can prove to be dangerous – both for you and for your unborn baby. Vitamin C deficiency is one of the causes for severe preeclampsia or HELLP (3). So, you need to ensure adequate vitamin C intake during pregnancy. Green apples contain ample amounts of this vitamin and can help protect you from these life-threatening diseases.
5. Good for the skin
Many women suffer from skin issues while pregnant (4). This can take a toll on your self-confidence. If you are looking for ways to keep your skin looking its best, try eating green apples! They contain vitamins A, B, and C – all of which work to keep your skin healthy and radiant.
6. Keeps liver healthy
Excessive bile secretion from your liver can cause severe complications while you are pregnant, including preterm birth (5). Green apples are known to be good for liver health and can prevent such issues.
7. Prevents gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is common during pregnancy. But it can lead to many serious complications, including type 2 diabetes (6). Green apples can help manage blood sugar levels and may keep gestational diabetes at an arms length.
8. Provides horde of nutrients
Vitamins A, C, B6 – you can find them all in green apples. This yummy fruit also contains ample amounts of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, etc. If you include green apples to your diet, you can get all these nutrients with each bite!
9. Contains protein
Are you looking for meat-free sources of protein for your pregnancy diet? Give green apples a try.
10. Helps ease body pains
Pregnancy comes with body aches and pains. Your growing uterus puts a lot of pressure on your body. Consumption of green apple during pregnancy can provide relief from an achy body and makes it little easier. We are sure you are tempted to rush out and buy a basket of green apples right now! But hold on! They are not without their side effects.
Side Affects Of Consuming Too Many Green Apples
So, you want to include green apples to your diet today? That’s perfect. But you need to understand the side effects of eating too many of green apples during pregnancy first.
1. Low on calories
You need a lot of calories during pregnancy. But green apples contain tons of protein but less amount of calories. This can lead to a feeling of satiety. Without adequate appetite, you can suffer from fatigue. So, don’t just depend on green apples. Include calorie rich foods along with it to get complete nutrition.
2. Can cause weight loss
You need to gain weight to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Too many green apples a day can make weight gain a problem and can even cause weight loss.
