COCONUT WATER IS GOOD FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

      

                             LETS LOOK AT COCONUT WATER ANS IS HEALTH BENEFITS

 

Tender coconut water is known as the richest source of electrolytes, and hence, is greatly recommended for people who are suffering from any illness. It also contains high amounts of chlorides, potassium, and magnesium and moderate amounts of sugar, sodium, and protein. Potassium from drinking coconut water can help to regulate blood pressure and heart function. It is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, manganese, calcium, riboflavin, and Vitamin C. The following are some of the reasons why coconut water is beneficial for a pregnant woman:

 

 

                                   

Coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage. It helps in replenishing fluid and natural salt loss. Thus it can greatly prevent dehydration and exhaustion.

⇒ It is essentially fat-free and is known as a zero cholesterol beverage. Coconut water is also supposed to have a positive effect, when it comes to raising the level of HDL, the good cholesterol level present in the body. This can together help to keep high cholesterol levels under check.

⇒ Coconut water is greatly known for strengthening immunity. As coconut water is rich in lauric acid, it can have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and antifungal properties. Such properties can help to strengthen the immune system of the mother and the growing fetus, and prevent infections of flu, HIV, herpes, etc.

⇒ Another great health benefit of coconut water is that it helps to prevent and treat heartburn. Coconut water effectively helps in cleaning intestinal worms and the digestive tract. This can alleviate pregnant women from heartburn and constipation.

⇒ Mostly women suffer from urinary tract infection (UTI). Being a natural diuretic, coconut water can help to increase the flow and frequency of the urine. Hence, coconut water benefits in flushing toxins out of the body easily, and prevents urinary tract infection.

⇒ Coconut water is a natural and safe source for hydrating the body, and allows easy digestion. It's free of chemicals and contains a high amount of electrolytes.

⇒ Coconut water is light drink and can even help in weight loss. One cup of it contains 46 calories only, as it is 95% water.

Though, the benefits of coconut water during pregnancy are well-known, there are not enough studies done on this subject. To be on the safer side, consult your doctor when including coconut water in your diet when you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Also, make sure you buy fresh and tender coconuts to get the best quality of water. Consume coconut water in adequate amount, as mentioned by your doctor. In case you experience any side-effects, discontinue the use and contact your doctor immediately.

FOOD FOR PREGNAT WOMEN

Women should maintain a balanced diet all throughout their pregnancy. This ensures good health of both the mother and baby. Is very important women take healthy foods during pregnancy inorder to ensure the health the unborn baby.

 

A mother-to-be should consume about 300 more calories per day than she did before conceiving

Normally, any healthy diet should include foods that are rich in all the essential nutrients; however, it gains utmost importance for women who are pregnant. The consumption of healthy food during pregnancy ensures proper growth of the baby, and it also keeps the mother-to-be physically and mentally fit.

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Therefore, foods that comprise essential vitamins and minerals should be included in a healthy pregnancy diet, while there are a few foods that should be strictly avoided

 

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Folic acid is an essential mineral for pregnant women as it minimizes the chances of any defects of the neural tube. Cereals, green vegetables, bread, and brown rice are a few foods, which provide the body with the required quantities of folic acid . Folic acid supplements are also an option for women who cannot meet the dietary requirements through natural foods.

They will also require adequate amounts of different types of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Apricots, pumpkins, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and beet greens have a good amount of vitamin A in them. Vitamin C can be obtained by consuming broccoli, tomatoes, mustard green, grapes, oranges, or papayas, whereas Vitamin D can be produced by the body when exposed to sunlight.

Apart from assisting in bone and muscle formation, calcium also facilitates blood clotting and proper heartbeat. Inadequate calcium consumption could weaken the bones of the baby. Therefore, calcium is extremely essential during pregnancy, and it can easily be obtained from dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, cream, and cottage cheese. Some of these foods should be included in the daily diet.

The primary function of iron is the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all the cells. A mother-to-be requires more than normal quantities of iron since the baby requires constant oxygen supply. Meat, fish, green leafy vegetables, whole grain products, and poultry products are the foods rich in iron. Most women need to take iron supplements to help meet their daily requirements. Fiber-rich foods like pasta, rice, fruits, whole grain cereals, breads, and vegetables also need to be consumed.

                                                  

 

                                    FOOD TO BE AVOIDED

Lets look at  some of the to be avoided.

 

It is good to know which foods to consume when pregnant; however, there are certain foods which should be avoided.
Caffeine consumption must be reduced. This means coffee, chocolates, and tea should be consumed only in moderation.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy should be completely avoided since it may lead to various birth defects such as low birth weight, prematurity, or mental retardation.
Certain kinds of cheeses like camembert, brie, blue veined, and a few Mexican types of cheese must be avoided since they may contain bacteria called listeria, which may be harmful for the fetus.
Fish can be consumed during pregnancy; however, not all fish are safe for consumption. Fish with high mercury content like tilefish, swordfish, and shark should not be eaten at all. Also, raw oysters and clams should be avoided.
Raw meat, eggs, and undercooked food also should not be consumed.
It is very much normal for mothers-to-be to crave for certain foods, including those which are not healthy to eat during pregnancy. However, they must choose the best available option to ensure proper health for themselves and their babies. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor or a dietitian before making any lifestyle or diet changes during pregnancy

   

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ORANGE

Orange is a tropical to semitropical, evergreen, small flowering tree, growing to about 5 to 8 m tall, and bears seasonal fruits that measure about 3 inches in diameter and weigh about 100-150 g. Oranges are classified into two general categories, sweet and bitter, with the former being the type most commonly consumed. Popular sweet-varieties include Valencia, Navel, Persian variety, and blood orange.


                    THESE ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS
Orange fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals. Hesperetin, naringin, and naringenin are flavonoids found in citrus fruits. Naringenin is found to have a bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator. This substance has also been shown to reduce oxidant injury to DNA in-vitro studies. Total antioxidant strength (ORAC) of oranges (navel variety) is 1819 µmol TE/100 g.

Orange fruit also contains a very good amount of minerals like potassium and calcium

It is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to repleni


O range fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals. Hesperetin, naringin, and naringenin are flavonoids found in citrus fruits. Naringenin is found to have a bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator

 Nutrients in oranges are plentiful and diverse. The fruit is low in calories, contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, but is rich in dietary fiber, pectin. Pectin, by its virtue as a bulk laxative, helps to protect the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure time to toxic substances as well as by binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon. Pectin has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing its re-absorption in the colon by binding to bile acids in the colo
 Citrus fruits, as such, have long been valued for their wholesome nutritious and antioxidant properties. It is scientifically established fact that citrus fruits, especially oranges, by virtue of their abundance in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, have many proven health benefits. Moreover, it is now beginning to be appreciated that the other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds in the citrus fruits such as phyto-chemical antioxidants, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber helps in cutting risk for cancers, chronic diseases like arthritis, obesity, and coronary heart diseases.