Like many other herbs and spices, parsley is considered a very healthy plant. It contains many vitamins and minerals, moreover, in the form of a decoction it cleanses the kidneys very well. It seems like it is one of the most useful plants for expectant mothers.
But despite all the benefits of parsley, doctors advise pregnant women to be more careful with it and if they eat it, it should be only in small quantities. But why do they do it if parsley is so healthy and can parsley harm a pregnant woman and the fetus?
Why you should be careful with parsley during pregnancy
The fact is that this plant in its chemical composition contains essential oils and the substance myristicin, each of which, even by itself, can provoke uterine contractions and as a result, miscarriage. And parsley contains both substances, which further enhances their effect, so the question of whether it is possible for a future mother to harm her pregnancy after eating parsley is not so meaningless.
In addition, myristicin can also affect the health of the unborn child: penetrating the placenta, it increases the fetal heart rate and in high concentrations leads to pathologies of the baby's nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Can pregnant women eat parsley - fresh and dried
However, in small doses, parsley is beneficial during pregnancy. In addition to being rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, flavonoids, folic acid, vitamins A, C, K, PP, group B, it also reduces the risk of edema, prevents anemia, joint pain, digestive disorders and strengthens the immune system.
It is also beneficial for the fetus, since the use of parsley by the expectant mother contributes to the proper formation and development of the child's nervous system. Despite the fact that you can eat parsley in small quantities during pregnancy, it is necessary to take into account what period of pregnancy the woman is in, as well as the presence or absence of contraindications for her to use it.
Parsley consumption by gestational age
How does gestational age affect whether a woman can eat parsley and if so, in what form?
In the early stages
As a rule, in the early stages, parsley has a positive effect on the health of a pregnant woman. It helps relieve morning sickness, improves general condition and helps prevent swelling and anemia. But you need to remember that you need to eat it in small quantities (one sprig to a familiar dish, for example, to soup or to a salad of fresh vegetables) and in addition, it is necessary to monitor its quality. Parsley, intended as an addition to the food of the expectant mother, must be fresh, without the slightest signs of wilting or yellowing. In addition, it is very important that it does not contain nitrates and other toxic substances.
In the later stages
In the later stages of pregnancy, you can also eat parsley, but still in small quantities, since with its excess in the diet of a pregnant woman, the risk of premature birth increases. It is precisely because of its ability to cause uterine contractions that parsley can be useful in prolonging pregnancy (detention), which is no less harmful to the expectant mother and her baby than premature birth. Therefore, if the period is already 40 weeks, then you can increase the amount of parsley in the diet: this stimulates faster childbirth.
After childbirth
After childbirth, it is also useful for women to eat parsley, since its use will increase breast milk and uterine contractility, which will allow it to quickly return to its previous state before pregnancy.
Benefits and harms of parsley
As mentioned above, parsley is very useful during pregnancy, if, of course, you eat a little of it, without abusing it. It helps to cope with iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency, prevents swelling and strengthens the bone system. Its positive effect on the body of the expectant mother is also manifested in the fact that it has a mild diuretic and choleretic effect, which helps to gently cleanse the body of stagnant fluid and bile.
What else can parsley be good for?
- Improves immunity;
- Reduces inflammation.
- Protects against negative environmental factors;
- Improves appetite;
- Improves digestion and functioning of the excretory system;
- Reduces nausea and flatulence.
However, this does not mean that pregnant women can eat parsley in unlimited quantities. After all, if you eat too much of it, you can harm yourself or your unborn child.
Potential harm from parsley during pregnancy
Here is what excessive use of parsley during pregnancy leads to:
- Hypertonicity of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth;
- Hallucinations;
- Convulsions;
- Loss of orientation in space and impaired coordination of movements;
- Loss of consciousness;
- The fetus has an increased heart rate and decreased hemoglobin.
It should be remembered that if after eating parsley the expectant mother begins to experience uterine contractions or other signs of overuse appear, you should immediately seek medical help, as the consequences can be very serious!
How often, quantities and in what form is it allowed to consume parsley during pregnancy
The question arises: how often and how much parsley can pregnant women eat? And in what form is it better to use it? Given the beneficial properties of this plant, you can eat parsley every day, but no more than one sprig at a time.
In addition, in the first trimester, doctors advise not to eat parsley root raw, although you can add it to a dish at the very beginning of cooking.
For salads, you can use it only from the second trimester and then in small quantities.
It is forbidden to drink concentrated parsley juice at any stage of pregnancy, since the content of essential oils and myristicin is especially high in it.
When is it absolutely forbidden to eat the plant?
Despite the fact that this plant is very healthy, it is absolutely contraindicated for some women during pregnancy. Most often this is associated with diseases of the kidneys and urinary system. For example, eating parsley is prohibited for nephritis or cystitis. You also can’t eat it if there is a threat of miscarriage or if you have had miscarriages in the past. Unconditional contraindications are increased uterine tonicity and convulsions. Food allergies are another reason for a pregnant woman to eliminate parsley from her diet.
Conclusion
It is possible and necessary to eat this spicy green during pregnancy, unless there are contraindications for health. You should adhere to the measure and eat it exclusively in small quantities. This will help reduce the risk of health problems, while providing the expectant mother with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
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