Eating Kiwi Fruit During Pregnancy – Benefits and Side Effects

Pregnancy is accompanied by a strong urge to eat weird things that you may have previously despised of. There are several healthy foods that are perfect for cravings and ideal for the development of the foetus. While moms-to-be may have different cravings, especially sugar cravings, they are always recommended to choose a piece of fruit over chocolate or other sugary food to keep a check on calories and avoid pregnancy issues like gestational diabetes. In such a scenario, many wonder, ‘Can pregnant women eat kiwi?’ If you are already tempted by the juicy, tropical kiwi, read on to learn whether it is safe for you to eat kiwi fruit while pregnant.

Is It Safe to Eat Kiwi During Pregnancy?

Yes, kiwi is good in pregnancy. Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry is a fleshy, green fruit that is packed with plenty of health benefits for pregnant women aside from the fact that it is delicious!

Rich in vitamin C and low in sugar and fat, kiwi is ideal for consumption during pregnancy. Also, it contains no cholesterol. The only reason you may need to avoid it is if you are susceptible to gastritis or heritable allergy. Eating two to three kiwi fruits per day is perfectly safe during pregnancy (1).

Nutrients in Kiwi Fruit

This superfruit is packed with vital nutrients: vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, folate, dietary fibre, copper, choline, magnesium, and phosphorus. It provides over 140% of the daily recommended dose of vitamin C.

Nutrients Present in 1 Medium-Sized Kiwi Fruit

The table below presents the nutritional chart for the 100-gram green, raw kiwi fruit.

Source: USDA (2)

Health Benefits of Eating Kiwi Fruit in Pregnancy: Trimester Wise

Listed below are some of the health benefits of kiwi during pregnancy:

1) First Trimester

Eating kiwi fruit in pregnancy first trimester is a golden way to improve your and your baby’s health and wellness. With a host of all-rounder benefits, here are the benefits to be gained in the first trimester of pregnancy.

1. Folate

Folic acid plays an integral role in the cognitive development of the foetus. It helps develop the brain and the nervous system and prevents neural defects in the unborn baby (3). It is a critical nutrient for the formation and maintenance of cells. It is also responsible for the development of the baby’s vital organs. Folate prevents congenital disabilities in babies, such as spina bifida, a medical condition in which the spinal cord is not fully developed. Having kiwi during the early pregnancy phase will also reduce the chances of having a miscarriage.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is vital for the formation of neurotransmitters, which are crucial to brain function (4). Foods that are rich in antioxidants protect the mother-to-be from the harmful effects of free radicals. It is excellent for boosting energy levels and strengthening the immune system (5). Additionally, it also helps with iron absorption from iron-rich foods. Kiwi being rich in iron and vitamin C is perfect for pregnant women (6).

3. Calcium

Calcium is essential for developing of the baby’s bones, muscles, teeth, and heart. Kiwi fruit contains 5.5% calcium; if your dairy consumption is low or if you are lactose intolerant, it would be advisable to include calcium-rich kiwi in your diet. It also contains magnesium, which improves the absorption of calcium.

4. Hormonal Balance

Hormones can create havoc during pregnancy as you may suffer from depression, feel tired or feel stressed. A serving of kiwi can help balance hormones, which can prevent any mood swings from occurring.

5. Low Calories

Kiwi is a low-calorie, naturally sweet option that satiates cravings and hunger without adding pounds.

2) Second Trimester

With the second trimester comes new challenges, all of which can be eliminated or reduced by eating kiwi during pregnancy second trimester.

1. Promotes Digestion

Constipation is normal during pregnancy. You will need to include probiotics in your diet to help prevent diarrhoea, bloating, nausea, stomach discomfort, abdominal pains, and gastritis. Kiwi is rich in dietary fibre, which keeps the colon healthy. Fibre-rich foods are natural laxatives that aid digestion. Additonally, actinidine, which is a protease enzyme in green kiwi helps stimulate upper gastrointestinal tract motility (7).

2. Rich Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Besides being rich in vitamin C, kiwi has large amounts of vitamin E which protects you and your baby’s cells from damage. It promotes healthy skin.

3) Third Trimester

Consuming kiwi during pregnancy third trimester is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy you and a healthy baby. Here are some advantages:

1. Natural Sugars

Kiwi, like all fruits, contains natural sugars to help control your sweet cravings. Low in glycemic index, it does not lead to a major spike in insulin levels. It is essential in regulating blood sugar levels, as gestational diabetes during pregnancy is quite common (8).

2. Iron

Pregnant women are often afflicted with an iron deficiency, anaemia, caused by the lack of haemoglobin in the blood. Other symptoms of low iron include pale skin, poor appetite, and nausea. Iron is needed for the production of red blood cells. It also carries oxygen between cells and is essential for energy production. Kiwi provides 4% of iron per serving. It also facilitates the absorption of iron, thus preventing anaemia.

3. Strengthens Immune System

The copper in kiwi assists in the brain development of children and also strengthens the immune system.

How to Include Kiwi in Your Pregnancy Diet?

Kiwi and pregnancy is a beautiful combination. It can be consumed in many ways, such as:

• Cut the fruit, scoop the fruit off of the skin and enjoy
• Include it in your salads with other fruits
• Add it to smoothies or yoghurt
• Freeze the slices or pulp and turn them into popsicles
• Have it in the form of a jam
• Kiwi puree or sauce as side dishes for meals

Risks Associated With Consuming Kiwi Fruit During Pregnancy

Being allergic to kiwi is uncommon. However, one might develop an allergic reaction to it or may consume it to the point where the effects are negative. It is advisable to consult your doctor before adding kiwi to your regular diet plan. Side effects of kiwi fruit for pregnant women are (9):

• Oral Allergies: Overconsumption of kiwi can cause itching or a tingling sensation in the mouth, leading to swelling of the lips and tongue. In some cases, it can trigger asthma, rashes and hives.
• Skin Ailments: Overeating kiwi may cause acute urticaria, chronic urticaria, dermatitis, or even contact dermatitis. The risk is higher if you are allergic.
• Digestive Problems: In certain cases, overeating kiwi can cause diarrhoea, vomiting or nausea.
• Latex Allergy: People allergic to latex are prone to kiwi allergies. It is advisable to keep away from kiwi in such cases.
• Damage to the Pancreas: Kiwi is a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin E, serotonin, and potassium. When taken in large amounts, it can alter triglyceride levels in the blood and, in the long run, harm the pancreas.
• Side Effects: Kiwi fruit has anti-fungal properties and can have an additive effect when combined with anti-fungal medicines. If you are taking anticoagulants, heparin, aspirin, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory or anti-platelet drugs, consult your doctor before consumption of kiwi fruit.

How Much Kiwi Should You Consume During Pregnancy?

Ideally, a mom-to-be should have 1 cup of chopped fruits a day or 1 piece of fruit for large fruit. For a healthy and safe pregnancy, you can consume about 2-3 kiwi fruits per day. In case you are suffering from gastritis, allergies or any digestive issues, consult your doctor before adding kiwi to your regular diet. If you are prone to acidity or rashes and allergies, kiwi can trigger acidic reactions and can cause soreness in the mouth or tongue.

FAQs

1. When is it unsafe to eat kiwi?

If you have had a history of birch pollen-associated food allergy, then you should avoid eating kiwi fruit (10). It is to be noted that those allergic to wheat, poppy seeds, hazelnuts, or figs may have a chance to develop an allergy to kiwi as well (11).

2. Can I have Kiwi Crush in pregnancy?

Yes, you can have Kiwi Crush in your pregnancy. However, it comes with a caution. It should be consumed within two to three days of refrigeration.

3. Does kiwi craving during pregnancy indicate the gender of the baby?

Although there are plenty of myths regarding kiwi craving in pregnancy, there is no scientific evidence to back such claims (11).

Watching your diet is essential during pregnancy since your body becomes vulnerable during this time. Kiwis can help provide certain nutrients for the body that would help the foetus to grow. However, they should be eaten in moderation, as too much of anything is bad.

References/Resources:

1. Healthy Eating During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding; Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; https://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/woman/20036.html

2. Kiwifruit, green, raw; USDA; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168153/nutrients

3. Preventing Neural Tube Birth Defects: A Prevention Model and Resource Guide; https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/orders/pdfs/09_202063-A_Nash_Neural%20Tube%20BD%20Guide%20FINAL508.pdf; 1998

4. Briguglio. M, Dell’Osso. B, et al.; Dietary Neurotransmitters: A Narrative Review on Current Knowledge. Nutrients.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986471/; May 2018

5. Richardson. D. P, Ansell. J, Drummond. L. N; The nutritional and health attributes of kiwifruit: a review. Eur J Nutr.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6267416/; December 2018

6. Lesson Plan: Iron in a Pregnancy Diet; Mariah Delpercio; https://sites.psu.edu/delpercionutr360/lesson-plan-iron-in-a-pregnancy-diet/

7. Bae. S. H; Diets for constipation. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4291444/; December 2014 

8. Monro. J. A; Kiwifruit, carbohydrate availability, and the glycemic response. Adv Food Nutr Res.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23394992/; 2013

9. Allergenic Foods and their Allergens, with links to Informall; Food Allergy Research and Resource Program; https://farrp.unl.edu/informallfruit

10. Gall. H, Kalveram. K. J, Forck. G, Sterry. W; Kiwi fruit allergy: a new birch pollen-associated food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8027500/; July 1994

11. Gender, positions and cravings in pregnancy: truth or myth; NCT; https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/gender-positions-and-cravings-pregnancy-truth-or-myth

Also Read:

Eating Bananas in Pregnancy
Consuming Mangoes while Pregnant
Can you Eat Pineapple during Pregnancy?
Eating Chikoo (Sapota) Fruit when Pregnant