Obstetrics and Gynaecology

10 Health Benefits of Eating Bananas during Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or someone very dear to you is, and you are stressing about what to eat during this time, then this write-up can help you out. A lot of questions can pop up in your mind, such as what to eat, when to eat, and especially how much food you should consume. Suppose you want to know about the health benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy then you need to know about a few aspects of pregnancy and bananas beforehand. By understanding such aspects, will help you to clear your doubts. 

It will help if you understand that what you are going to eat during this time, will not only impact you but also your child. Therefore it is necessary to know the nutritional value of any product that you’ll be consuming. In the case of bananas, you should also consider its properties, and if you do not have latex allergies or diabetes, then bananas can be beneficial during this time. Before talking about the benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy and nutritional values of the same, let’s get to know a bit about pregnancy.

Pregnancy and its phases

Pregnancy is also known as gestation and during this period a ( or in some cases more than one) fetus inside a woman. One’s pregnancy has nothing to do with their mode of having the child, as with the advent of medical science, various methods of having been introduced, other than intercourse. Now comes the part which is typical for every woman. Usually, one’s pregnancy is divided into 3 sections, which are known as trimesters. Each trimester lasts for 3 months, and every one of them requires a different approach in terms of care and nutrition. However, it can be added that due to the nutritional properties of bananas, it is considered to be beneficial to eat bananas during pregnancy (every trimester).  

Nutrition during pregnancy

Your lifestyle and your diet will determine a lot of your child’s health; hence it is necessary to know what you need to consume during pregnancy. There are a few of the most vital nutrients that are required, such as –

  • Folic Acid
  • Iron
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C
  • Protein

These are a few of the essential nutrients that every pregnant woman requires. The best part is that all of the mentioned properties are found in bananas; thus, it is recommended to consume at least one medium-sized banana regularly.

Properties of Banana

As mentioned earlier, bananas are made of the nutrients which are required during pregnancy. However, there are a few more properties that makes it equally beneficial to eating bananas during pregnancy. The properties of bananas are as follows –

  • Folic Acid: 23.6 mcg
  • Vitamin B6: 33% of the RDI
  • Vitamin C: 11% of the RDI
  • Fiber: 3.1 grams
  • Iron: 0.3 mg
  • Protein: 1.3 grams
  • Net carbs: 24 grams
  • Fat: 0.4 grams
  • Potassium: 9% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 8% of the RDI
  • Copper: 10% of the RDI

Manganese: 14% of the RDI

Top 10 health benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy

Other than its nutritious value, the effect it imparts on your body makes it essential to include it in your daily diet. There are a few scientifically-proven benefits of eating bananas that help a woman during her pregnancy. However, you should remember that it is advised to eat fresh fruits and avoid them if you see black spots on a banana. The health benefits of eating bananas are as follows:

1. Can reduce nausea

One of the primary health benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy is that it can help to reduce nausea or morning sickness. Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester; therefore consuming bananas will help you to feel less nauseous during this period.

2. Increase energy

Bananas are comprised of healthy nutrients like glucose, fructose and sucrose. These elements are known to be stress busters, which in turn, also make them agents for increasing energy levels. With constant changes in your body, it can take a massive toll on you, especially during the third trimester. By consuming bananas, you’ll feel less tired.

3. Improves your digestive system

Another health benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy is that it can reduce heartburn and improve your digestive system. Bananas are rich in pectin, which helps to improve your digestive system.

4. Can cure constipation

Most women experience constipation throughout their pregnancy, and the nutrients of bananas help to reduce this specific issue. So other benefits of eating bananas are it can cure constipation.

5. Can reduce diarrhea

Other than pectin, bananas are also rich in fiber, which helps to reduce problems like diarrhoea. Fiber absorbs excess water in your body, thus eating bananas during pregnancy helps you to relieve diarrhoea. 

6. Balances blood sugar level 

Properties like pectin, fiber, and resistant starch are the agents that help to keep your blood sugar level in balance. 

7. It is rich in antioxidants 

Vitamin C is a known antioxidant, and bananas are rich in this specific nutrient. Thus eating bananas during pregnancy will help you to improve your immune system and keep you healthy. 

8. Can make your heart healthy 

The amount of potassium in a medium-sized banana makes it very good food, which you can include in your daily diet. It has 9% RDI which, in turn, makes it helpful in making your heart healthy. 

9. It fights anemia and increases hemoglobin

Anaemia is another common issue found in pregnant women; thus, it is advised to eat bananas regularly. Eating bananas during pregnancy will help you relieve from anaemia, as it is rich in Vitamin B6. Further, it will also help to increase the level of haemoglobin in your blood. 

10. Increases appetite

As you know that bananas are comprised of various vitamins, minerals, and other such elements, which makes it a healthy food for a pregnant woman.

Likewise, such components will increase your appetite and will help you to consume various nutritious food throughout the day. In conclusion, it can be said that eating bananas during pregnancy will not only help you to get all the necessary ingredients, but it will also make you feel full.

This significant food will make your vitals stable and help you too fit during your pregnancy.

WOMS

World of Medical Saviours (WOMS) is a website formed by a group of medicos who are embarking to provide facts, tips and knowledge related to health and lifestyle. This website proves to be a great platform for the medical enthusiast and also for those medicos searching to outgrowth their knowledge about the medical field.

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