Written by Editorial Team
It is important to eat well during the phase of pregnancy as eating and drinking are the main sources of nourishment for both the mother and the baby. One leafy vegetable that you can have during pregnancy is sorrel. Let’s see whether sorrel is safe during pregnancy.
Sorrel offers benefits for the health consisting of a healthy digestive system, regulation of blood pressure levels, good vision, energy supply, boosting the blood circulation, developing immunity system, enhancing the skin health, enriching the bone development, regulating diabetes, preventing cancer symptoms, etc. Let us have a look at what sorrel is, the nutritional intake, its health benefits, side effects, the right method to use sorrel leaves in pregnancy and precautions to be taken while consuming sorrel, etc.
In This Article
Sorrel is a bushy plant in appearance and an annual herb that can be found in different weathers, climates, and regions all over the world. Sorrel is also famous for its health as well as medicinal uses. It is widely used for conventional cooking as well. It is more beneficial if consumed in smaller quantities and the leaves are the most significant part of this plant. Sorrel leaves have a sharp, sour taste with a slightly tangy lemon flavor.
Sorrel is enriched with fiber and is an ideal antioxidant and is quite beneficial for one’s well-being. It is the oxalic acid in the leaves that brings about the sour taste. The nutrient composition of sorrel leaves can be seen as under:
Getting nutrition is the best intake that one gets from the green and leafy vegetables. Due to the unique flavor, the sorrel leaves are different in taste. Here are 12 amazing health benefits of eating sorrel during pregnancy:
During pregnancy, your eyesight can be affected temporarily. In case the expecting mother has any vision problems, consuming the sorrel leaves will help as it is rich in vitamin A that helps in improving the eyesight.
In case one is looking to lose weight, consumption of sorrel leaves is a big help as it is rich with many nutrients. The vegetable has an almost negligible fat content and is low in calorie content.
Sorrel also has flavonoids and antioxidant properties. Its leaves are diuretic and are a good laxative. Therefore, the intake of sorrel leaves helps in flushing the toxins from the body.
Sorrel leaves are rich in potassium and magnesium. It is rich in antioxidants that help in lowering the level of bad cholesterol. Intake of sorrel leaves, therefore, helps in reducing pregnancy-induced- hypertension and regulating blood pressure.
Sorrel leaves are rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Taking sorrel leaf soup is excellent in treating nose and throat inflammation during pregnancy.
The oxalic acid, which gives a sore taste to sorrel leaves, is well-known for its capacity to prevent cancers and tumors (however, excessive oxalic acid can be harmful). The chlorophyll and carotenoids in sorrel leave together with the vital vitamins and mineral aids in preventing, combatting, and treating breast cancer.
Insomnia is another issue faced by many expecting mothers. Many expecting mothers experience a drop in their quality of sleep during any stage of pregnancy. Including sorrel leaves in your diet will help to solve this issue to some extent.
Sorrel leaves have a strong laxative property. They are rich in fibers. Therefore, it is very efficient in combating constipation and hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
The sorrel leaves are enriched with calcium and are ideal for pregnancy. This is because maintaining bone density during this time is very important to bring down the chances of osteoporosis in the future.
Being anemic during pregnancy is a common issue. Intake of iron is the only way to combat anemia. 100 g of sorrel leaves hold 2.4 g of Iron, which is around 13.3% of the recommended daily intake. Sorrel leaves are blessed with a significant amount of Vitamin C, which helps the body to absorb iron and helps in producing more RBC.
Another common problem during pregnancy is that of urinary tract infection also referred to as UTI. Sorrel leaves have a strong diuretic property due to the presence of a significant amount of potassium in them. Therefore, including sorrel leaves in the pregnancy diet will help to keep UTI at bay to some extent.
Tiredness and fatigue are very common for pregnant women and consumption of sorrel leaves will help in replenishing the energy lost as it is enriched with iron. This increases the production of red blood cells, offering more oxygen supply to the body parts.
Sorrel is a powerhouse of nutrients and offers far-reaching health benefits. Its leaves are sour in taste and even used for medicinal uses. However, it also has some side effects which are stated as under:
Consuming excess sorrel is toxic in nature and has a negative effect on the kidneys as it is enriched with oxalic acid. This can result in kidney stones or even failure.
Sorrel has a good amount of vitamin K that can aggravate blood clotting.
Due to the excess consumption of sorrel, pregnant women can experience stomach issues and that can lead to increased chances of miscarriage.
Since sorrel is high in oxalic acid, it can result in birth deformities as well.
There are some factors to consider while selecting and storing these nutritious leaves.
Select sorrel with tender, smaller leaves. Avoid discolored (yellowish or brownish) leaves with holes in them.
It is recommended to consume the sorrel leaves within 1-2 days after harvesting to get all its benefits. It tastes best when you eat it as soon as it is picked. Anyway, you can store it in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
Sorrel can be used in sandwiches, salads, pasta, rice, beans, and other dishes and even as toppings for pizzas, and pastries.
These can be stewed well and can be taken in combination with boiled eggs, salads and can be even given in the form of juice, but this should always be taken in moderation since it is enriched with oxalic acid.
The following are important points to remember while incorporating sorrel into your pregnancy diet:
Eating too much sorrel increases the risk of developing kidney stones. It can also worsen heartburn in pregnant women. Because of its diuretic property, eating an excessive amount of sorrel leaves increases the risk of dehydration in pregnant women.
You can have sorrel anytime. You can have it in the form of soup for lunch or for dinner. Sorrel salad is also good to eat during pregnancy. It can be used in curries. As a part of a normal diet, you can eat sorrel at any time. However, don’t go overboard.
Yes, sorrel is rich in iron. Therefore, it helps to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Pregnancy is a period women are more in need of iron. Hence, you can include these magic leaves in your pregnancy diet.
Pregnancy can cause many sleepless nights, as the pregnancy progresses. Sorrel leaves are believed to help improve sleep quality. Check with your doctor and add this to your regular diet.
Sorrel leaves have a distinct smell and a bitter taste. You can shred these leaves and add it to any salad. If you are worried about raw foods, you can make a soup from these leaves.
Sorrel has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with joint pains. It can also help with pregnancy constipation. However, limit your intake.
Excessive consumption of Sorrel leaves is believed cause birth defects. They can cause stomach related issues. This can result in miscarriage, though this is not common.
Sorrel is an important part of conventional cooking and it encompasses a plethora of nutrients that include vitamins, minerals, organic ingredients, oxalic acid, fibers, and proteins which qualify it to the section of not only rich food but having medicinal value as well.
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