Consuming Passion Fruit in Pregnancy

Are you pregnant and looking for food items that will benefit your health? Do you always want to make sure both you and your baby are safe and eating the right type of food? You’re not alone if you’ve said yes to these questions!

Many fruits and vegetables have health benefits, but some of them are even more beneficial when consumed during pregnancy. One such fruit is passion fruit.

Video: Benefits of Eating Passion Fruit During Pregnancy

What Is Passion Fruit?

Passion fruit originates from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It comes from a vine species of the passionflower, known scientifically as Passiflora Edulis. It is a heart-shaped fruit that tastes sweet and can be used in many different recipes.

What Is the Nutritional Value of Passion Fruit?

The nutrients in passion fruit are plenty and they have several health benefits. Passion fruit can be consumed in many different forms – juices, milkshakes, pies, pastries and of course, raw. The nutritional content of passion fruit is versatile and has a number of benefits that have been recognized by nutritionists world over.

Here are a few passion fruit nutrition facts that you should know to make an informed choice:

• This fruit is rich in essential Vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, and C.
• It is fibrous in nature and also contains important minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and iron.
• The high content of vitamin C in this fruit is also very beneficial.
• 100 grams of this fruit contains about 97 calories.

Health Benefits of Eating Passion Fruit During Pregnancy

There are many health benefits that come with consuming the passion fruit. Here are the best ones:

1. Healthy and Smooth Digestion

During pregnancy, women are known to develop upset stomachs and indigestion due to sudden changes in the body. Passion fruit is rich in fibre content, and thus, it helps with making digestion better and reducing problems in the digestive system.

2. Better Immunity

It is a universally known fact that vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is a great natural remedy for illnesses, as it helps in boosting the viability of the immune system. That said, passion fruit contains more than 50% vitamin C per 100 grams, which is why it is great for expectant mothers who want to boost their immunity.

3. Better Bone Health

Being sufficiently rich in minerals such as phosphorous and calcium, passion fruit prevents the mother’s bones from becoming too weak during pregnancy.

4. Reduced Insomnia

This fruit is rich in alkaloid medicine such as Harman, which helps in reducing insomnia, anxiety and restlessness, all of which are experienced by expectant mothers. It is essential that the mother gets the maximum rest and good sleep to stay healthy.

5. Good for the Skin

During pregnancy, the skin breaks out quite often, owing to hormonal changes and adjustments. Passion fruit is rich in vitamin A, which is great for the skin pigment, thus making the mom-to-be look fresh and glowing.

6. Food for Eyesight

Another great advantage of vitamin A is that it helps with improving eyesight and reduces the incidence of any deficiencies in the eyes. It also reduces the chances of night blindness and cataract problems. For expectant mothers, this is definitely a boon.

7. Improved Circulation of Blood

When a woman is pregnant, she shares all of her nutrients with her baby. Due to this, good blood circulation is essential. This is taken care of by the high iron content found in passion fruit.

8. Controlled Blood Pressure

Along with circulation, blood pressure needs to be in control. The high potassium content in passion fruit helps with regulating the blood pressure as it is an essential mineral for the body.

10. Reduced Joint Pain

During pregnancy, especially in the later stages, the joints and bones tend to become weaker -osteoporosis symptoms can also appear. Consuming this mineral-rich fruit can help with reducing this ailment.

12. Low Glycemic Index

Passion fruit has a low glycemic index (GI) value, which means that consuming it does not spike up blood sugar levels in a steep manner. This makes it a beneficial fruit for pregnant women, as their chances of developing gestational diabetes are reduced.

13. Reduces Anxiety

Passion fruit is rich in magnesium, which is a mineral that is known to reduce stress and anxiety.

 Is It Safe to Eat Passion Fruit During Pregnancy?

One common question asked is, is passion fruit good for pregnancy or can pregnant women eat passion fruit? Yes, absolutely! This particular fruit has been tested to have no side-effects when consumed during pregnancy, and hence, it is recommended by doctors and nutritionists alike.

It is extremely important for an expectant mother to eat nutritious and healthy foods at all times, keeping her and her child’s health in mind. Especially during pregnancy, you can never have too much of the goodness of passion fruit because the body is ever-ready to absorb as many minerals and vitamin-rich food as possible.

Passion fruit is hence very good for the body and should definitely be incorporated into a pregnant woman’s diet. It can be consumed in many different ways through various tasty recipes and remedies. So, go ahead and try this amazing wonder-fruit!

Resources and References: Medical News Today

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