Pregnant women may have some unique cravings – chewing on some yummy drumsticks and enjoying a bowl of piping hot drumstick soup also make it to the list. But how safe is it to consume drumsticks during pregnancy? While it is known that drumstick is a healthy vegetable to include in one’s diet, it is important to confirm their safety for expecting mothers. Continue reading this post for detailed information on the nutritional significance, safety, and health benefits of drumsticks for pregnant women.
What Is A Drumstick?
Drumstick, also widely popular as moringa oleifera, is a tropical plant belonging to Moringaceae family, which originates in the sub-Himalayan forests of India. A drumstick plant is around 1.5 to 2 meters tall and bears dark green long, slender, three-sided edible seedpods. Each pod is about six to eighteen inches in length with a drumstick-like appearance and tapering ends. Each pod contains fleshy pulp and round pea-sized seeds (1).
Is It Safe To Eat Drumstick During Pregnancy?
Yes! You can safely include drumstick in your pregnancy diet. In fact, it can prove to be quite healthy for your pregnancy. However, as with all other veggies, you need to wash the drumsticks thoroughly before you consume them. The unwashed vegetable may contain harmful parasites, bacteria, and traces of pesticides that could complicate your pregnancy. So, remember to eat drumsticks in moderation while you are expecting.
Health Benefits Of Eating Drumsticks During Pregnancy
Drumstick offers you several health benefits to stay fit during pregnancy. Here, we list some common health benefits of eating the vegetable while you are expecting.
1. Treats morning sickness:
Drumsticks help you overcome the sluggishness, and make you feel fresh and active while expecting. The vegetable may minimize nausea, and other symptoms of morning sickness effectively.
2. Makes bones healthy:
The high calcium, iron, and vitamin content in drumsticks promotes healthy and strong bones during pregnancy.. Crush the leaves of drumstick and add it to your milk for better health benefits.
3. Prevents harmful infections:
Drumsticks possess powerful antibacterial properties that may prevent the risk of the harmful throat, skin, and chest infections during pregnancy. You can use the vegetable to prevent fungal skin infections. Also, you can add leaves and flowers of the vegetable in your soups as they serve as an excellent antibiotic.
4. Cure stomach disorders:
Medicinal properties of the leaves of drumsticks help cure stomach disorders while expecting. Have drumstick-leaf with tender coconut water and honey to treat stomach disorders, such as constipation, indigestion and diarrhea.
5. Regulates diabetes:
Leaves of drumstick may help control your blood sugar levels during pregnancy. So, you can add the vegetable to your diet and keep your diabetes in check. Also, taking drumstick leaves during pregnancy improves the functioning of your gallbladder.
6. Boosts immunity:
Drumstick leaves are popular as a rich source of vitamin A. Just 100 grams of fresh leaves of the drumstick provides you about 252% of your daily recommended intake of the nutrient. Also, Vitamin A is an effective fat-soluble antioxidant that prevents the cell and tissue damage, repairs the mucous membrane, and improves vision, skin quality, and immunity while you are expecting.
7. Improves hemoglobin count:
The iron content in the drumstick helps boost your hemoglobin count. Consuming the vegetable prevents the risk of development of anemia and its adverse effects, such as fatigue, while expecting. Did you enjoy having delicious drumstick soup while expecting? How did you benefit from it? Tell us. Share your experience with other expecting moms below. Leave a comment!
