Pepper During Pregnancy- Its Benefits and Side Effects

Nutritional Value of Pepper

Black pepper is a high-nutritional-value spice that contains a variety of minerals. Many of the possible health advantages of black pepper for the body and brain is because of a black pepper component-piperine. The nutritional profile of pepper is as follows:

• It is a calorie-free spice.
• Black pepper is high in manganese, a mineral that aids bone health, wound healing, and metabolism.
• Piperine, a plant component found in black pepper, is high in antioxidants.
• Vitamins A, E, K, C, and B6 are all present.
• Pepper contains riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin, as well as sodium, potassium, folate, choline, and betaine.
• It also contains protein.

Is Consuming Pepper Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, black pepper is generally safe to take during pregnancy. However, pepper, like all other foods, must consume in moderate quantities. You can use this spice to season salads, fruits, and vegetables, either alone or in combination with cumin powder.

Excessive intake of pepper during pregnancy should be avoided as it can trigger acidity, indigestion, a burning feeling, and in extreme cases miscarriage.

8 Super Benefits of Pepper During Pregnancy

Black pepper is one of the oldest and commonly used spices all over the world. Apart from its role as an important cooking and flavoring ingredient, black pepper has many health benefits too. It has been an essential component in Indian medicine for over a hundred years, taking care of a lot of health issues.

Pepper is an excellent taste enhancer apart from being spicy too. Pepper is packed with a lot of nutrients and vitamins that a woman requires during pregnancy. This includes vitamin K, manganese, iron, and dietary fiber.

Here are 8 amazing benefits of pepper, which will make you want to include it in your pregnancy diet:

1. Good Remedy for Cough and Cold

People all over the globe have been found to use pepper to provide relief from cold and cough that everyone catches once in a while. Being a victim of an allergic cold while being pregnant can be really irritating and tiring. So using pepper in hot soups or just mixing it with honey is ideal to treat cough and cold.

2. Averts Cancer

A woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes while being pregnant. Your system may undergo even oxidative damages that can turn cancerous in future for you. Pepper is rich in carotenoids which is actually an antioxidant. Pepper helps to safeguard your system by averting any kind of harm and in turn protects you against cancer.

3. Aids Digestion

Your digestive system goes for a toss once you conceive. Pepper is found to be excellent in helping to improve your digestion and has also been found to provide excellent relief from common pregnancy woes like cramps, flatulence and gas issues.

4. Acts as an Antidepressant

Another common woe that a lot of pregnant women experience and go through during their pregnancy phase is mood swings and even depression and tension. Pepper has been found to be quite effective in warding away these pregnancy blues.

5. Rich in Folate

Folate is an element that is extremely important during conception in order to avert neural tube anomalies in fetuses growing within you. All types of pepper is loaded with folate that makes it good to include it in your diet.

6. Helps to Control Blood Pressure Levels

It is absolutely imperative to ensure that blood pressure levels remain within desired limits during the pregnancy. , Pepper, which contains adequate traces of potassium, is ideal to keep blood pressure within controllable limits. Since pepper is rich in potassium, it has been proven to be effective in averting preeclampsia.

7. Hikes Up Immunity Levels

A woman’s immunity levels suffer a drop during her pregnancy phase, making her vulnerable to catching infections easily. Pepper is also rich in Vitamin C that is found to be excellent in providing the much-required boost to your immunity levels and averting common infections like cold and cough.

8. Combats Acne

Due to the hormonal changes that occur in a woman’s body, a lot of women have been found to suffer from the bane of acne during this phase. Pepper is excellent for the skin and is claimed to have ingredients that combat acne and prevent your skin from gaining blemishes.

Thus, you can see for yourself all the wonderful benefits of including pepper in your diet during pregnancy. However, indulging in too much pepper may trigger unwanted adverse effects that may be harmful to both you and your unborn baby.

Risks of Eating Pepper During Pregnancy

In spite of all its advantages, one cannot ignore the possible risks of eating pepper during pregnancy.

1. Gastrointestinal Issues

Having too much of pepper can trigger gastrointestinal issues that can cause great discomfort during your pregnancy period. It is advised to steer clear of pepper in case you have a very sensitive tummy.

2. Allergic Reactions

Consuming pepper in excess can increase the risk of allergic reactions or allergy-like symptoms in pregnant women. Suppose you happen to be a person who is extremely sensitive, the best option would be to avoid pepper throughout your pregnancy.

3. Pepper is Regarded as an Emmenagogue

Homeopaths consider pepper to be a part of the emmenagogue family. Emmenagogues are actually herbs that help to trigger the flow of blood into your uterus and pelvic area in order to induce periods. So it is better to avoid pepper during your pregnancy phase.

Well, you can include pepper in your pregnancy diet to reap all the wonderful benefits of pepper. But do not forget to ask your doctor whether pepper is safe during your pregnancy. He is indeed the best person who knows what is best for you during this sensitive phase.

FAQ’s

1. Can I Add Pepper to all my Foods to Satiate my Pregnancy Cravings?

No, please don’t. if you do that, you will be overloading on pepper. Use other spices also in moderation to get a variety of tastes.

2. Can Consuming Pepper During Pregnancy Cause a Miscarriage?

No, it cannot. Though pepper can induce periods, it cannot hurt your pregnancy. The key is to have it in moderation and not overdo it.

3. Can I Have Pepper Towards the End of my Pregnancy?

Yes, you can. Always ensure you have it in moderation. If your doctor has specifically asked you to avoid it, then please do.

4. Can Pepper Spice Affect the Baby in the Womb?

No, it cannot. Your baby is safe from all the spice and acidity caused by them. However, the research did indicate that pepper might change the flavor of the amniotic fluid.