Everyone loves those delicious and juicy red fruits. Their tantalizing and tangy taste makes them irresistible, and they are especially tempting when you experience cravings during pregnancy. If you want to consume cherries during pregnancy but are unsure about their safety, read on as we tell you the benefits and side effects of consuming cherries during pregnancy. We also give you some easy-to-make cherry recipes that you could try at home.
Is It Safe To Eat Cherries During Pregnancy?
Yes. Cherries are safe to eat unless you are allergic to them. They are a rich source of nutrients and pack a healthy punch. The pit is the only part that should not be eaten. Also, do not overeat them, as they can create gas and cause bloating. Eating cherries moderately is absolutely fine and is good for your body.
Health Benefits Of Cherries During Pregnancy
The delicious red fruit can boost your health during pregnancy as cherries are a storehouse of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, iron, calcium and others. Therefore, cherries can be a healthy snack option for pregnant women. Here are a few more ways cherries can benefit you (1):
1. Boost the immune levels:
Cherries contain healthy levels of vitamin C, which have antioxidant properties. They play a vital role in removing the free radicals, which can cause various infections and diseases. Moreover, the immunity levels remain low during pregnancy. Cherries contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant made by plants to fight infections and boost your immunity levels.
2. Promote newborn’s brain health:
Anthocyanins found in cherries protect neural cells and promote brain health of the fetus (2). A new variety, Balaton cherries can help you in preventing pregnancy forgetfulness.
3. Relieve swelling and inflammation:
Anthocyanin, the red pigment in cherries, is known to be very effective in reducing the inflammation, swelling and joint pains that you usually experience when you are pregnant.
4. Prevent gestational diabetes:
Cherries help in keeping the blood sugar levels under control and thereby may assist in preventing gestational diabetes (3).
5. Alleviate fatigue:
Loaded with excess water content, cherries, on regular consumption, give an energy boost, and help keep fatigue away.
6. Control blood pressure levels:
The potassium content in cherries works towards preventing water retention and blood pressure control in the body. It, thereby, prevents the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
7. Promote better sleep:
The antioxidant called melatonin, which is present in cherries, is an ideal sleep inducer. You can have a disturbed sleep during pregnancy due to various discomforts in the body. Drink a glass of cherry juice every day to overcome sleep disturbances. Tart cherries contain more antioxidants than sweet cherries do.
8. Strengthen blood vessels:
Vitamin C present in the cherry fruit strengthens the blood vessels, helping them to pump enough blood to the fetus (4).
9. Helps regulate the sleep – wake cycle:
Cherries are known to contain melatonin that is helpful in maintaining the sleep-wake cycle. It may increase sleep time and overall sleep efficiency (5).
10. Treats constipation:
Cherries contain high fiber content. They normalize the bowel movements and help you get rid of constipation, one of the most common problems during pregnancy.
11. Low-calorie fruit:
If you are careful about weight gain during pregnancy, cherries are the best fruits to consume as they are extremely low in calories.
12. Relieve muscle pains:
Cherries are anti-inflammatory in nature and therefore offer effective relief from muscular pains and issues you may experience during pregnancy (6).
13. Cures migraine headaches:
Doctors believe that estrogen hormone fluctuations, and preeclampsia conditions during pregnancy cause migraine headaches. Cherries contain anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which help in mitigating migraine headaches (7). Aren’t these benefits more than enough to include cherry fruit in your pregnancy diet? But do they cause any adverse reactions as well? You may know below.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Eating Cherries During Pregnancy?
A few pregnant women suffer from bloating, gas, and abdominal pain after eating cherries.
Eating cherries can trigger allergic reactions in some women.
If you feel any significant discomfort after consuming cherries, please seek your doctor’s advice immediately.
Words Of Caution
The leaves, bark and fruit pits of the cherry plant contain hydrocyanic acid, a poisonous chemical. Therefore, eat pitted cherries only (8).
If you have gestational diabetes, do not eat cherries.
Wash them before you eat to remove bacteria and infections.
Consult your doctor before you add cherries to your everyday diet.
A Few Recipes
Here are some interesting cherry recipes you can make at home and enjoy the delicious treat.
1. Cherry Clafoutis:
This is a classic French dessert, a combination of flan and pancake. It is traditionally made without pitting the cherries so that the pits give some almond flavor to this dessert. But, unpitted cherries during pregnancy is a big no-no. So here’s the recipe with pitted cherries. You will need:
Fresh sweet cherries – 3 cups, pitted Milk – 1 1/4 cups Sugar – 2/3 cup Eggs – 3 Vanilla extract – 1tbsp Salt – 1/6tsp All-purpose flour – 1/2 cup Powdered sugar for topping
How to prepare:
2. Cherry Heaven:
The delicious dessert can be whipped up in no time. You will need:
Ripe cherries – 12 to 14 Blueberries – ½ cup Greek yogurt (preferably low-fat) – ½ cup
How to prepare:
