Eating Water Chestnut (Singhara Fruit) During Pregnancy – Benefits and Side-effects

When a woman is pregnant, her pregnancy cravings can range from unhealthy foods to healthy items to even some unusual food items. If you are pregnant, yes, you will have to make healthy food choices (and you will), but there will be days when you will want to eat something that you haven’t craved for in months or perhaps years. One such food item or fruit that we completely forget about (but love to eat) is singhara fruit in pregnancy. Singhara or water chestnuts taste delicious and are mostly enjoyed in the raw or cooked form. But if you are pregnant, you might wonder if they are safe for consumption during pregnancy. So let’s find out about water chestnuts in pregnancy!

Can You Eat Water Chestnuts During Pregnancy?

If you relish eating water chestnuts, then here’s good news for you. You can eat water chestnuts during pregnancy. Water chestnuts or singhara in pregnancy are an excellent source of various minerals and vitamins and can prove to be beneficial for your health during pregnancy.

Nutritional Value of Water Chestnuts

Water chestnuts are not only delicious but also offer various essential nutrients. Below is a table outlining the nutritional value of water chestnuts per 100 grams serving: 

Benefits of Eating Singhara During Pregnancy

Singhara, also known as water chestnuts, offers numerous benefits for pregnant women. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Anti-bacterial and Antioxidant Properties

Singhara contains compounds with anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, which can help support the immune system and protect against infections during pregnancy.

2. Strengthening Stomach Muscles

Consumption of singhara can strengthen stomach muscles, aiding in digestion and alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort often experienced during pregnancy.

3. Reducing Acidity, Fatigue, and Heartburn

Singhara is known to lower acidity levels in the stomach, reduce fatigue, and alleviate heartburn, providing relief to pregnant women experiencing these symptoms.

4. Treatment of Pregnancy Hypertension

Singhara consumption has been linked to the treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension, helping to regulate blood pressure levels and promote overall cardiovascular health.

5. Water Retention and Blood Pressure Balance

Singhara’s natural diuretic properties assist in reducing water retention, which is common during pregnancy. Additionally, it helps in balancing blood pressure, contributing to maternal well-being.

Side Effects of Consuming Water Chestnut When Pregnant

While water chestnuts offer several health benefits, it’s essential to be aware of potential side effects, especially during pregnancy. Here are some side effects to consider:

• Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to water chestnuts, leading to symptoms such as itching, hives, or swelling, which can pose risks during pregnancy.
• Risk of Contamination: Water chestnuts are often grown in water, increasing the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria or parasites that can cause foodborne illnesses, posing a threat to both the mother and the developing fetus.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Consuming water chestnuts in large quantities may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating-gas, or diarrhea, which can be particularly troublesome during pregnancy when digestion is already affected.
• High Glycemic Index: Water chestnuts have a relatively high glycemic index, which means they can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. This can be problematic for pregnant women with gestational diabetes or those at risk of developing it.
• Increased Risk of Hypertension: Due to their sodium content, excessive consumption of water chestnuts may contribute to elevated blood pressure levels, which can be concerning for pregnant women, especially those with a history of hypertension.
• Potential Choking Hazard: Whole water chestnuts, especially if not properly prepared or cooked, may pose a choking hazard, particularly for pregnant women experiencing nausea or difficulty swallowing.

How to Consume Water Chestnuts in Pregnancy?

Water chestnuts can be eaten fresh when in season or you can buy the canned versions of it. Singhara could be used as the main ingredient in cooking or as a flavouring ingredient. It is most commonly used in the form of flour. It can even be made into a paste to be applied on the body. In conclusion, singhara can be used in various ways for consumption. Here are a few ways in which you can eat water chestnuts.

1. Fresh Fruit

Water chestnuts taste delicious when consumed raw. So you can have them whole. You can also consume them by adding them to a fresh salad.

2. Porridge

One of the best ways of consuming singhara is in the form of porridge. Singhara porridge can be very beneficial for you during pregnancy. To make singhara porridge, sauté the required singhara flour in a bit of ghee and add a pinch of cardamom. Add milk slowly and steadily until you reach the consistency of porridge. You can add jaggery for taste.

3. Singhara Kheer

If you crave something sweet during pregnancy, make healthy singhara kheer. Boil some milk and add some singhara flour to it. Add in a pinch of nutmeg powder, mix well, and let it cook. Garnish with dry fruits and enjoy healthy singhara kheer.

4. Singhara Halwa

Roast the flour in ghee, add some sugar and water. Add some ghee on top and let it cook. Garnish with some chopped almonds and enjoy the halwa.

5. Stir-Fry Salad

Take some blanched singhara, blanched chopped capsicum, some greens and beans in a bowl and mix well. Now, take some olive oil in a pan and heat it. Add the above mix, then stir-fry it. Sprinkle cornstarch water when required. Garnish with your favourite seasoning.

6. Singhara Chapati

If you are not in the mood of eating whole wheat chapatis, you can make singhara chapati. Use singhara flour to make the chapatis and enjoy with your favourite gravy.

7. Methi Singhara Fry

In a blender, take some poppy seeds, curd, cashew nuts, salt, and white pepper, and blend to make a paste. Shallow fry chopped singhara with some methi leaves in a pan. Add the paste to the pan and mix well. Stir well and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

8. Singhara Pulav

Peel the singharas and boil them for a few minutes. Add boiled and peeled singhara to your pulav before putting in the rice to have singhara pulav.

9. Singhara Sabzi

Make your regular mixed vegetable, then add boiled and peeled singharas to it, and mix well. Add salt and pepper to enhance the taste.

10. Singhara Paste

Many women are affected by eczema during pregnancy. The application of dried singhara powder mixed with plain water on the affected area can help it heal quickly and provide relief from eczema.

FAQs

1. How can water chestnuts benefit pregnant women?

Water chestnuts offer various benefits during pregnancy, including providing essential nutrients, supporting digestive health, and potentially aiding in the treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

2. Are there any specific precautions to take when eating water chestnuts during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should ensure that water chestnuts are properly cleaned and cooked to reduce the risk of contamination. Additionally, monitoring portion sizes and being mindful of any allergic reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort is advisable.

3. Can water chestnuts cause any complications during pregnancy?

While generally safe, excessive consumption of water chestnuts may lead to complications such as elevated blood sugar levels, gastrointestinal issues, or allergic reactions, which can adversely affect pregnancy outcomes.

4. Are there alternatives to water chestnuts for pregnant women with dietary restrictions or preferences?

Yes, pregnant women can opt for alternative nutrient-rich foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or winter squash if they have dietary restrictions or preferences that preclude the consumption of water chestnuts.

Singhara is not an exotic fruit and is easily available. You can enjoy it during pregnancy but don’t eat too many singharas as it may lead to side effects such as nausea or an upset stomach. Better yet, consult a doctor before including singharas in your pregnancy diet.

References/Resources:

1. Waterchestnuts, Chinese, (matai), raw; U.S. Department of Agriculture; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170066/nutrients

2. Yasuda. M, Ikeoka. M, Kondo. S; Skin-related enzyme inhibitory activity by hydrolyzable polyphenols in water chestnut (Trapa natans) husk (Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33590040/; February 2021

3. Zeng. F, Chen. W, He. P, Zhan. Q, et. al.; Structural characterization of polysaccharides with potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities from Chinese water chestnut peels (Carbohydrate Polymers); Science Direct; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0144861720307256; October 2020

4. Agril. A; Water chestnut : Biotechnological and pharmacological advance; Research Gate; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319644566_WATER_CHESTNUT_BIOTECHNOLOGICAL_AND_PHARMACOLOGI_CAL_ADVANCE; January 2016

5. Baehaki. A, Widiastuti. I, Lestari. S, Masruro. M, Putra. H; Antidiabetic and anticancer activity of Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) extract with multistage extraction (Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology and Research); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7832194/

6. Diuretics; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/diuretics/art-20048129

7. Kim. B, Kim. J, Choi. B, Kim. H; Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Water Chestnut Extract on Cytokine Responses via Nuclear Factor-κB-signaling Pathway (Biomolecules & Therapeutics); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4286755/; January 2015

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