Artichoke During Pregnancy – Benefits, Side Effects, and More

A balanced diet that supplements essential nutrients and minerals during pregnancy is crucial for both the mother and her growing baby. To supplement the mother and baby with the right nutrients, artichoke is a vegetable that can prove to be a good choice during pregnancy. Artichoke is preferred for improving digestive health, preventing intestinal gas, and relieving nausea and heartburn. It is also low in calories. But how does this vegetable help when consumed in pregnancy? Is artichoke good for pregnancy? Continue reading to learn about the benefits of consuming artichokes during pregnancy, side effects, precautions, and different ways to prepare artichokes in pregnancy.

What Is an Artichoke?

Scientifically known as Cynara cardunculus, the artichoke is a vegetable that belongs to the sunflower family and is native to the Mediterranean region. The plant’s edible portion is its immature flower bud, which is known to possess several medicinal properties, including stimulating bile flow and providing relief from symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, and intestinal gas during pregnancy. Artichokes are rich in vitamins C, K, and B9 (folate), calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, potassium, and phosphorus.

Regular consumption of artichoke is known to reduce health issues like high cholesterol, kidney problems, liver problems, arthritis, bladder infections, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (1). In fact, artichoke leaves’ extract is high in antioxidants, which is beneficial for all (2).

Nutritional Value of Artichoke

Here is the nutritional value of 100 grams, raw (globe or French) artichokes as per the USDA (3):

Can Pregnant Women Eat Artichoke?

Artichoke is safe to consume during pregnancy. In fact, it is recommended to include this superfood in your daily pregnancy diet. The ancient vegetable provides several health benefits to pregnant women, including relief from nausea, morning sickness, and constipation. It is worth noting that artichokes should not be consumed raw, as they contain a harmful toxin that can harm the immune system. Make sure to consult your doctor regarding the consumption of artichoke during pregnancy.

The low fat content, calories, and sugar, combined with high fibre, also support the fetus’s development. You can either cook the buds or stir-fry artichokes with different pasta dishes.

Benefits of Consuming Artichoke While Pregnant

Artichoke heads are best regarded for their high composition of fibre, minerals, and polyphenolic compounds, which is beneficial for the mother and the fetus (4). Here are some benefits of consuming fresh artichokes while pregnant:

1. Maintains Gut Health

The relevant amount of insoluble fibre and inulin in artichokes is beneficial for maintaining gut microflora and preventing the growth of harmful gut microbes. This helps maintain the digestive system and reduces nausea and vomiting. It is beneficial for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, as it helps regulate stool frequency and consistency.

2. Builds Immunity and Protects Against Diseases

Vitamin C and phytochemicals present in artichokes do a great job in protecting against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Phytochemicals possess antioxidant properties, and antioxidants prevent cell damage by free radicals, thereby reducing the chances of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease (5).

3. Treats Anaemia

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy has a significant impact on the fetus’s growth and development, particularly in terms of cognitive development. Nutrients, including folate and choline, are essential nutrients that support neural tube development of the foetus (6). The high folic acid content in artichokes, such as in Micromani’s artichoke, supports fetal and placental development and reduces the likelihood of congenital malformations (4).

4. Treats Hepatic Issues

During pregnancy, the immunity of pregnant women is low, making pregnant women susceptible to hepatic diseases like hepatitis or jaundice. On the positive side, artichoke has hepatoprotective properties and helps with gallbladder issues (7).

5. Controls Diabetes and Dyslipidemia

High estrogen levels and increased insulin resistance in the body can lead to metabolic fluctuations, contributing to discomfort (8). Artichokes help reduce increased insulin resistance and manage the incidence of gestational diabetes with dyslipidemia.

Side Effects of Eating Artichoke During Pregnancy

However healthy an artichoke is, there are some side effects that should be known if you are consuming them while pregnant. Here are some commonly observed side effects of artichoke on maternal health:

1. Allergic Reaction

Individuals allergic to daisies, marigolds, ragweed, or arnica may present allergic reactions to artichoke leaf extract (1). The reaction may appear as skin rashes or hives, itching, swelling, difficulty swallowing, or wheezing.

2. Effect on Gallbladder and Liver

Artichoke is known to improve digestive function, stimulate bile flow, and remove toxins from the liver. However, Artichoke leaf extracts could cause gallbladder contractions (1). Thus, if you are suffering from gallstones, taking a doctor’s consultation before consuming artichoke is recommended. Similarly, if you are suffering from chronic liver issues, regular artichoke consumption should be limited.

3. Bowel Syndrome

Due to inulin in artichoke, excess intake may cause bowel syndrome.

4. Diuretic Effects

Artichoke has been a known diuretic. Its excess consumption can cause frequent urination.

Different Ways to Consume Artichoke When Pregnant

You can prepare artichokes in several different ways that are suitable for pregnancy.

• The best way to consume this super vegetable is by steaming it. You can also boil or grill it and season it with herbs.
• Cooked artichokes can be simply seasoned with salt and olive oil and eaten.
• Cut the thick leaves from the artichoke, and you can add them to your green salad or a warm vegetable soup.
• You can create a smooth puree of cooked artichoke leaves blended with plain low-fat yoghurt and use it as a dip. 
• You can add artichoke leaves to different pasta dishes.
• You can make a delicious salad by mixing artichoke, chickpeas, eggs, avocados, or any other salad ingredients of your choice.

FAQs

1. Can artichoke induce miscarriage during pregnancy?

No, there are no conclusive studies that suggest any relation between artichoke and miscarriages in humans. However, a study performed on rats found that administering higher doses of artichoke leaf extract negatively impacted rat fetuses (9).

2. Can artichokes contribute to excessive weight gain during pregnancy?

If you are thinking about artichoke for pregnancy, then you can consume it worry-free in moderation, as it is unlikely to cause weight gain. Artichokes are high in fibre and low in fat, sugars, and calories, making them a good choice of vegetable for pregnancy.

3. Is it safe to eat artichokes daily?

Yes, artichokes can be consumed daily during pregnancy, but in moderation. It is best to consult your doctor before consuming artichokes.

4. Who should avoid consuming artichokes during pregnancy?

Those with liver or kidney ailments or with allergies to daisies, marigolds, ragweed, or arnica should avoid consuming artichoke while pregnant.

5. How to buy the best quality artichokes?

Always prefer fresh artichokes that are dark green in colour, have tightly packed leaves and a thorn at the tip. The crispness of the leaves should make a sound when rubbed together.

Artichoke is an ancient vegetable that is highly regarded for its high fibre content and antioxidant properties. All the nutrients significantly help in the development of the fetal brain. However, excess consumption and allergic reactions should be noted before consuming it during pregnancy. Make sure to avoid consuming it raw during pregnancy, as it contains toxins that could jeopardise the health of the fetus. If you have any concerns regarding the intake of artichokes during pregnancy, consult your doctor.

References/Resources:

1. Heal With Food – Health Benefits of Artichoke Hearts (Superfood Series)

2. ResearchGate – Globe artichoke: A functional food and source of nutraceutical ingredients

3. USDA – Artichokes, (globe or french), raw

4. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science – MikromaniʼS Artichoke (Cynara Cardunculus Var. Scolymus) – A Mediterranean Nutraceutical

5. Cleveland Clinic – 10 Health Benefits of Artichokes

6. PubMed Central – Prenatal Folate and Choline Levels and Brain and Cognitive Development in Children: A Critical Narrative Review

7. ResearchGate – Hepatoprotective effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus)

8. eClinical Medicine – Association of maternal lipid profile and gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 292 studies and 97,880 women

9. ScienceDirect – The effect of Cynara scolymus (artichoke) on maternal reproductive outcomes and fetal development in rats

Also Read:

Eating Horse Gram during Pregnancy
Is It Safe to Eat Eggplant in Pregnancy?
Consuming Drumstick (Shajan) when Pregnant
Eating Bottle Gourd (Lauki) During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?

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