When you’re pregnant, you’re going through a lot. Your body is changing in so many ways, and sometimes those changes come with symptoms that can be difficult for pregnant women.
In just 9 months, your body is going through a myriad of changes. Your reproductive hormones are spiking, inflammation and swelling increase, and the immune system is weakened. It’s this time when blood sugar levels are harder to control. And many women complain of nausea and digestive issues.
And to add to your challenges—many common medications or herbal remedies are not advised during pregnancy. This often leaves an expecting mother feeling out of control and unable to treat herself.
While it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication, it’s also important to know what foods are good for you during pregnancy. Today, we cover one food that’s proven to be a powerful immune booster: ginger!
What about Ginger?
Ginger is one of the most popular spices used in cooking. It is also used as a traditional folk medicine to treat various health conditions. Ginger has been used for thousands of years in Asia and Africa, where it is grown extensively.
The history of ginger as food dates back to the early days of ancient China, where it was described as a spice that helped to improve digestion and prevent nausea. The popularity of Ginger is gained through not just its robust flavor but also because of its healing effects and medicinal properties. Thus, it is a must-have ingredient for all individuals and can significantly help women during pregnancy.
The history of ginger as a traditional folk medicine dates back to around 2000 BC when it was used as an anti-inflammatory agent by Chinese doctors who would often prescribe it as part of their treatment plan for certain diseases such as joint pain or arthritis. In addition, they would use it as an analgesic to treat headaches and pains associated with menstruation or childbirth.
How Safe is Ginger in Pregnancy?
Ginger is one of the safest spices to consume during pregnancy. It’s rich in antioxidants, which are important for your body’s health and the health of your baby.
You can eat ginger in many ways: add a little bit to your food as flavoring, or make a warm-soothing tea with it. If you’re craving something spicy and citrusy, try putting some slices of ginger on top of some oranges or grapefruits. You can also mix it into smoothies or juices for extra flavor!
But be careful about taking ginger supplements when pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider first, because higher concentrations may be risky.
Benefits Of Ginger During Pregnancy
The benefits of ginger during pregnancy are numerous and well-documented. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial. And isn’t it just soothing as a hot drink?
The list below includes some of the most common ways in which ginger can help you to feel better, gain energy, and reduce nausea naturally.
- Ginger Can Help Reduce nausea and morning sickness
Almost 80% of women experience morning sickness during their pregnancy. One of the biggest benefits of ginger during pregnancy is that it can reduce nausea. If you’re suffering from morning sickness or even just feel queasy in general, try drinking a cup of ginger tea in the morning. The warmth of the drink will help soothe your stomach.
- Ginger Can Help You Feel Less Tired
If you’re feeling pretty tired during your pregnancy, ginger can help you perk up a little bit. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that help boost energy levels naturally without having to resort to artificial stimulants like caffeine or other substances that might interact with medication or put your baby at risk for birth defects later on down the line (source). The best part about using ginger as a natural energy booster is that it won’t cause any side effects like those listed above!
- Ginger Can Reduce Constipation During Pregnancy
Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. It’s caused by hormones, weight gain, and other health issues. The good news is that ginger can help reduce constipation.
How does that work? Ginger helps stimulate intestinal contractions and encourages bowel movements. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and abdominal cramps associated with constipation during pregnancy.
Ginger contains chemicals called gingerols and shogaols that act as natural painkillers while they stimulate digestion by increasing blood flow to the intestines.
- Ginger Can Relieve Joint Pain and Cramps
Ginger is one of the most well-known natural remedies for joint pain and cramps.
It’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to relieve aches and pains. It’s also been shown to be effective at managing the pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory joint conditions.
So why does it work? It has a number of active compounds that have anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects on muscles. This means it can help to relax tight muscles and reduce inflammation quickly, which can result in less pain.
- Ginger Helps Improve Blood Circulation
Ginger helps improve blood circulation, which is why it is commonly used to treat colds and other illnesses.
Salicylate, a natural acidic component found in Ginger, acts as a blood thinner. This makes it an excellent choice for people who suffer from high cholesterol or other cardiovascular issues.
Ginger is a powerful and safe option for pregnant women who want to take a natural approach to pregnancy and birth.
We believe in functional and integrative medicine, which means we understand that food can heal and help you feel better—not just treat a symptom or disease. We think it’s important for you to know that there are better and best options out there for you to manage your health during pregnancy.
We hope our post today has inspired you to try this powerful spice for yourself or at least given you some new information about it!
Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center has birth centers dedicated to your needs in Morgan Hill and Los Gatos, California. We also serve Palo Alto, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Saratoga, and more.
Sources:
- The Amazing and Mighty Ginger: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
- The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021/
- Effects of ginger capsules on pregnancy nausea and vomiting: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19250006/
- Herbs and Pregnancy: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbs-and-pregnancy/