Can pregnant eat dates?

Dates are a popular product. In Europe, they are more often consumed in the form of dried fruits. In Asia and Africa dates are more widespread. Here they are used in various forms and are often used in cooking. It is known that dried fruits not only retain the properties of the original fruit, but also acquire new ones. Dates contain a large number of different substances, can they be used by pregnant women?

General information

Dates are fruits of date palms. This dried fruit has been known for many millennia. The fact is that the date tree is very fertile and has been bearing fruit for decades. In the countries of the Ancient East dates were one of the cheapest and most affordable products. Indians believe that date palm comes from their country. Now this plant is common in North Africa and Asia.

The date palm grows about 6 years before the first harvest, and then another 60 years produces about 10 kg of fruit.Fruits, as a rule, are consumed in the form of dried fruits, pre-dried naturally. In India, the dates are prepared national drink, reminiscent of wine. It is known that dates have a high calorie and nutritional value. They take with them on long journeys in the desert to satisfy their hunger.

Use of dates

Dates are rich in many trace elements and vitamins. Their biological activity is quite high. The benefits of dates are as follows:

1. Positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Dates have a high amount of fiber. 100 g of this product contains approximately 7 g of fiber. This substance does not enter the body. It passes through the digestive tract, irritates the intestinal walls and increases peristalsis, helping to get rid of constipation. In addition, fiber is necessary for bacteria that inhabit the intestines. Receiving fiber, they produce vitamins that enter the human body.
2. Improving the state of the nervous system. The composition of dates includes some representatives of the B vitamins. They are necessary in order to normalize the metabolism.In addition, these vitamins help nerve tissue function.
3. Improving vision and skin condition. These effects are achieved due to the presence of vitamin A or retinol in dates. Thanks to this vitamin, a person is able to see the outlines of objects, even in poor light. With its deficiency, a decline in twilight vision, popularly called “night blindness,” is developing. In addition, vitamin A is essential for skin, hair and nails. It supports their beauty, health and youth.
4. Strengthening of the heart muscle and skeletal muscles. Dates are rich in elements like potassium. It performs an important function in providing contractility of the heart muscle. With a lack of potassium, various kinds of arrhythmias develop. People suffering from heart failure are even prescribed the use of dates as a source of potassium. In addition, skeletal muscles also need potassium to work properly.
5. Strengthening bone tissue. Dates have a high amount of calcium. It is the main mineral substance in the composition of bones. In addition, calcium is necessary to ensure blood clotting in bleeding, as well as to strengthen teeth and nails.
6. Improving blood clotting. In addition to calcium, which is necessary for the implementation of this process, dates have another important element - vitamin K. This vitamin, called vikasolom, has a direct effect on the blood coagulation system. It is even prescribed for bleeding.
7. Fighting anemia. Dates contain the main substance, the lack of which leads to the most common form of anemia - iron. Daily use of iron helps to prevent the development of iron deficiency anemia. In addition, there is ascorbic acid in dates. It helps to improve the absorption of iron and accelerate its entry into the body.

Harm and contraindications

In addition to the beneficial properties, dates also have a number of adverse effects on the body. Not all people can eat them. Contraindications to the use of dates are as follows:

1. Obesity. Dates are very high-calorie foods. 100g of this dry-product contains 200kkal. People who are obese from this delicacy should be abandoned. In addition, there are a lot of carbohydrates in dates, which is also bad for the figure.
2. Diabetes. In addition to calorie content, dates have another feature - high sugar content. This makes them tasty, but at the same time is a contraindication for diabetics.
3. Pathology of the teeth. This category includes caries, stomatitis and pulpitis. The fact is that sugar contained in dates has a bad effect on teeth. It is a breeding ground for microorganisms that cause a number of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.
4. Diarrhea. As already mentioned, dates accelerate intestinal peristalsis. It is good for treating constipation, but the use of dates can only aggravate diarrhea.
5. Hyperkalemia. Some people due to various features of the body increased potassium in the blood. Since dates contain a large amount of potassium, such people cannot eat them.

Can I get pregnant?

Another feature of pregnant women is the frequent development of iron deficiency anemia. As already mentioned, dates help to prevent the development of this pathology. Especially useful to use dates before childbirth. First, because they improve blood clotting, and childbirth is always blood loss. Secondly, dates enhance the tone of the muscles of the uterus. This leads to the acceleration of the process of childbirth, making them easier and less long.

Thus, we can conclude that dates bring many benefits to the body of a pregnant woman. They contain the substances that a woman needs to use during this period of her life. However, it is worth remembering the contraindications. A woman who has at least one of them cannot eat dates.

Video: the benefits and harm of dates for the body