Drinking Jeera (Cumin) Water During Pregnancy

India is the largest producer and consumer of cumin, locally known as jeera. Jeera is not just a great flavouring agent in foods but also a medicinal herb in the kitchen. This is precisely why this spice is used in everyday cooking. Drinking jeera water is also considered healthy. But if you’re pregnant and want to include jeera water in your pregnancy diet, you may have to think twice. As an expecting mom, it is essential for you to be particular about what you consume during pregnancy. You may have heard that jeera is beneficial, but is it also healthy during pregnancy? There circulate many doubts regarding the consumption of cumin water during pregnancy as cumin is supposed to cause premature labour, miscarriage or cramping. Read this article to find out if you should drink jeera water while pregnant.

Nutritional Value of Jeera (Cumin)

Here is the nutritional value of jeera or cumin seeds per 100 g.

Source: USDA

Is It Safe to Drink Jeera Water During Pregnancy?

In India, most people tend to use jeera for cooking purposes daily. Intake of cumin seeds in a limited amount is considered normal during pregnancy, but excessive consumption can be harmful to pregnant women. Experts suggest practising caution around the use of jeera during pregnancy. Hence, jeera water must be consumed by pregnant women in moderation only. Otherwise, the excess can lead to certain side effects, such as heartburn or increased body heat. According to a study, an average person can safely consume up to 3g of cumin on a daily basis. However, no dosage is set for pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to consume it in moderation after consulting with your paediatrician.

Benefits of Cumin Water During Pregnancy

Jeera is not just a cooling agent for people in normal times; it is also wonderful for pregnant mothers during pregnancy. Let’s check some benefits of cumin water during pregnancy:

1. Helps With Digestion

Heartburn and acid refluxes are common during pregnancy. Having jeera water in moderation can enhance the metabolism, bringing relief to stomach discomfort and gastritis.

2. Boosts Immunity

The goodness of jeera, including vitamins C and B6, and antioxidants, fights infections in the body and builds a strong immune system.

3. Reduces Stomach Cramps and Bloating

Consuming jeera water is a common solution for treating Stomach pain and bloating. It also works great in pregnant women. However, they should drink this only in limited quantity and concentration.

4. Good for Hydration

Plain drinking water can seem too boring to drink. Jeera water could be a tasty alternative in moderate consumption and keep you hydrated throughout the day.

5. Treats Constipation

Hormonal changes during pregnancy slow down the digestive system, which often causes stomach issues like constipation. Mild jeera water has natural laxatives that help treat constipation.

6. Regulates Blood Pressure

A sudden spike in blood pressure is never good for a mother and her baby. The potassium in jeera water helps keep a correct balance of blood pressure in a pregnant woman.

7. Fights Against Anaemia

Packed with iron, jeera water makes sure the haemoglobin levels are increased and tiredness and fatigue are miles away.

Side Effects of Cumin

Consuming jeera during pregnancy can be beneficial if consumed in the right amount. But too much of it can cause certain side effects. Women suffering from various conditions can also experience certain side effects if they consume jeera in excessive amounts. Here are some possible side effects of consuming too much jeera during pregnancy.

1. If consumed in large amounts, it can cause heartburn in people suffering from GERD.
2. It can increase body heat in some women, which may affect the baby’s health.
3. Consuming too much jeera can cause continuous burping.
4. When consumed in excess quantity, cumin may cause damage to the liver and kidneys.
5. It is not safe for consumption for women with low blood sugar levels, as consumption of cumin lowers blood sugar levels. However, it can be safe for women with high blood sugar.
6. It can also lead to skin rashes in women who are allergic to this spice.
7. Excessive consumption of jeera water may increase the chances of bleeding and flatulence.
8. Cumin can interact with or alter the effects when used with specific drugs.
   For example, if a person is taking an antibiotic or any supplement for the immune system, pain killers, iron supplements, antioxidants, etc., cumin may have chances to interact with the drugs and affect the immune system, increase the risks of bleeding, or decrease blood sugar levels.

How to Make Cumin Water?

Making cumin water is not rocket science or a tedious task. It is rather quite easy and simple.

• All you have to do is soak one teaspoon of jeera in one cup of clean drinking water overnight.
• In the morning, boil the water along with the soaked cumin seed till it reduces to half a cup.
• Now, serve the mixture and allow it to cool down a bit. It is now ready to drink!

Other Spices to Avoid During Pregnancy

Here is a list of some other spices that could prove to be harmful during pregnancy.

1. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds can cause gas and bloating and affect the digestive system. They also tend to have a stimulant effect on the uterus and are, therefore, not advisable to pregnant women.

2. Garlic

When consumed in large amounts, garlic can cause acidity and heartburn. Hence, pregnant women should avoid consuming too much garlic.

3. Peppermint

Although peppermint is not a spice, it is used as a flavouring agent in many kinds of dishes. Peppermint can relax the uterus, so it is best to avoid it during pregnancy, especially in the form of peppermint tea.

4. Asafoetida

This can cause miscarriage when had in large amounts, so try and steer clear of asafoetida as much as possible during pregnancy.

FAQs

1. How Much Cumin Is Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?

As per a study published in the IOSR Journal Of Pharmacy, an average person can safely consume up to 3g of cumin on a daily basis. However, no dosage was set for pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to consume cumin water during pregnancy in moderation and probably less than the given amount. If you have any doubts, consult this activity with your paediatrician.

2. Can I Consume Cumin Tea While Pregnant?

Yes, just like cumin water, you can consume cumin tea during pregnancy, but only in moderation. Since there is no scientific proof about the safety of cumin tea during pregnancy, it is best to take it in moderation only after consulting with your doctor, as they will be able to plan a better diet as per your health and pregnancy progress.

3. Can You Use Cumin Oil in Pregnancy?

We have to understand that cumin oil is in a very concentrated form than cumin water or cumin tea. It is made by cold-pressing cumin seeds to extract their oil. Since the concentration level of cumin seeds in cumin oil is high, it should not be used by pregnant women.

There is no scientific evidence of the effect of cumin oil on pregnancy, but as per an animal study, the use of black cumin oil can cause hypertension and proteinuria. Therefore, it is essential to talk to your doctor about the use of any essential oil or herb oil during pregnancy before its consumption.

That said, jeera water is safe to consume in pregnancy, but only in moderation and after doctor’s go-ahead based on your pregnancy progress. Remember, overconsumption of any spice should be avoided, as they have a strong effect on the body, and jeera is no exception.

References/Resources:

1. Spices, Cumin Seed; FoodData Central; USDA; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170923/nutrients

2. Singletary. K; Cumin Potential Health Benefits; Nutrition Today; https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Fulltext/2021/05000/Cumin__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx

3. Eid. AM, Jaradat. N; Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Herbal Remedies Used During Pregnancy and Lactation in West Bank Palestine; Front Pharmacol.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7034419/; February 2020

4. Singh. RP, Gangadharappa. HV, Mruthunjaya. K; Cuminum cyminum – A Popular Spice: An Updated Review; Pharmacogn J. 2017;9(3):292-301; https://phcogj.com/sites/default/files/10.5530pj.2017.3.51.pdf

5. Ali Esmail Al-Snafi; The pharmacological activities of Cuminum cyminum -A review; IOSR Journal Of Pharmacy; ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ali-Al-Snafi/publication/313742829_The_pharmacological_activities_of_Cuminum_cyminum_-A_review/links/58a46696a6fdcc0e0755de90/The-pharmacological-activities-of-Cuminum-cyminum-A-review.pdf; July 2016

6. Rahma. H, Indrawan. IWA, Nooryanto. M, Rahajeng, Keman. K; Effect of a black cumin (Nigella sativa) ethanol extract on placental angiotensin II type 1-receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) serum levels and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in a preeclampsia mouse model; J Taibah Univ Med Sci.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695018/; July 2017

7. Shinde. P, Patil. P, Bairagi. V; HERBS IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: A REVIEW APPRAISAL; International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research; https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/herbs-in-pregnancy-and-lactation-a-review-appraisal/; 2012

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