Olive oil has numerous antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties. Hence, consuming olive oil during pregnancy is a healthy addition to your prenatal diet. Nutritionists and dieticians often recommend the use of olive oil, instead of refined sunflower oil or any other oil.
Olive oil contains a high quantity of healthy fats. Therefore, consuming olive oil during pregnancy regularly can provide many short and long-term health benefits. It is good for pregnant women and the growing fetus too. Also, the benefits of olive oil are abundant when applied to the skin. For centuries, it has been a tradition to use olive oil during pregnancy for stretch marks as a natural remedy.
Find out everything about olive oil during pregnancy, its benefits, and much more.
Can I Eat Olive Oil During Pregnancy?
It is perfectly safe to eat olive oil during pregnancy due to its numerous health benefits. Olive oil is considered to be the best option of all the other available oils. Not only is olive oil safe and good for pregnant women, adding olive oil to your diet many benefits to you and your baby. Olive oil contains many vitamins and useful forms of fatty acids which are crucial for both you and your baby growing in the womb.
It is safer to eat olives from a can, tin, or jar than eating cured olives from a delicatessen or olive bar. Also, extra virgin olive oils during pregnancy are considered light and delicate additions to many wonderful dishes. Many pregnant women believe it is also one of the most health-promoting types of oils available.
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We notice a lot of people following the Mediterranean diet. Olive Oil is the prime element of the widely researched Mediterranean Diet. As a natural juice, olive oil keeps the vitamins, taste, aroma, and properties of the olive fruit. Not only that, olive oil is the only oil that can be consumed as it is, in its natural state. Other oils go through chemical processes where the oil is refined, and/or chemically extracted.
13 Amazing Benefits Of Olive Oil During Pregnancy
Olive oil during pregnancy plays a key role in fetal development during pregnancy and aids in the baby’s development. The fetus needs vitamin E to grow. Vitamin E is vital for the newborn to fight against the oxidative stress that is provoked by entering an oxygen atmosphere. This vitamin E is sufficiently found in Olive oil.
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You can consume olives and olive oil during pregnancy which is safe and healthy. However, overconsumption of olive oil during pregnancy has been linked to some complications. Remember the rule is never to indulge in it too much. Always keep in mind that anything beyond moderate quantities when you are pregnant isn’t safe.
We are here to tell you that olive oil during pregnancy is completely safe to consume and apply and its benefits are listed below.
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1. Olive oil during pregnancy helps your baby’s development
As you probably know, olive oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which has amazing benefits for your baby’s heart. Adequate consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is vitally important during pregnancy as they are critical in building blocks of the fetal brain and retina.
As your little one grows inside the womb, consuming olive oil during pregnancy helps the baby inside improve their brain function and development. It also helps to increase the learning and cognitive function of the child.
2. Olive oil during pregnancy for stretch marks
Stretch marks are common during pregnancy and many moms try various methods to get rid of them. The body stretches and expands to make space for the little one growing inside you. Those stretch marks are a wonderful reminder as to what your body can do.
Applying olive oil during pregnancy for stretch marks in your hips and abdomen during the early stages of pregnancy could help you get rid of or ward off those stretch marks easily. Even if you do develop stretch marks, they may either become light or in some cases, even disappear after regular usage.
3. Olive oil during pregnancy helps strengthens your immune system
It is acceptable that pregnant women are tired most of the time because of a little human growing inside them. This also means that your immune system could be weaker making you easily prone to diseases. Most pregnant women wonder how can their immunity be boosted. It is important to maintain a healthy body with proper diet and exercise.
Vitamin A plays a crucial part in keeping up your immune system and promotes good eye health. Fortunately, olive oil is rich in vitamin A and consuming it during pregnancy is going to benefit you so much.
4. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E
The vitamin E present in olive oil provides ample benefits to pregnant women due to its oxidation resistance. Vitamin E is one major factor that helps a baby to adapt to an oxygen-filled environment right after birth.
Mothers of premature or preterm babies can consume olive oil during the breastfeeding stage, which might help their babies to develop better.
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5. Beneficial in improving reflexes in babies
Olive oil during pregnancy is not only helpful for the mother, but also for the baby to be born. The psychomotor reflexes were better and in an improved state in comparison to women who did not consume olive oil during their pregnancy journey1.
6. Olive oil during pregnancy prevents depression
Postpartum depression is common among pregnant women. Olive oil is a rich source of omega 3 which has a positive effect on dealing with depression. A positive relationship existed between the consumption of these fatty acids and a reduction of depressive symptoms. Hence, including olive oil during pregnancy in the mother’s diet may be beneficial for her mental health2.
7. Less risk of metabolic syndrome
Swelling and fluid retention, especially in the joints are some of the most common pregnancy complications. They can lead to affecting metabolism. Also, there are chances that pregnant women could face issues like gestational diabetes.
Olive oil has anti-inflammatory characteristics due to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming olive oil during pregnancy reduces the chances of suffering from metabolic disorders and swelling. Remember, not to heat the oil.
8. Olive oil is good for hair
Hair fall problems during pregnancy are common. Olive oil contains a good source of antioxidants that stimulate hair growth. Olive oil during pregnancy helps to curb hair loss and prevent damage.
Also, olive oil is rich in omega 6 fatty acids which keep breakage and dryness at bay.
9. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants
Extra virgin olive oil during pregnancy is considered to be beneficial. It contains beneficial fatty acids and a good amount of vitamin K and E. Olive oil is also a rich source of antioxidants — compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals.
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Antioxidants help to protect you from chronic diseases and also help in fighting inflammation.
10. Olive oil during pregnancy is good for digestion
Digestion issues and feeling nauseous is common during pregnancy. Olive oil during pregnancy works wonders for your gastrointestinal tract and colon. Olive oil helps stimulate the digestive system and makes food go smoothly through the colon.
Being rich in mono-saturated fats, olive oil helps in better mobility of food through the colon. This also helps speed up bowel movement thereby preventing constipation.
11. Olive oil acts as a pain reliever
Oleocanthal, a compound present in olive oil, is an anti-inflammatory property, thereby making olive oil an excellent pain reliever be it externally or internally. Pains and aches are common during pregnancy – either as cramps or due to overweight issues. Pain relief is hence one of the benefits of olive oil massage during pregnancy.
12. Olive oil acts as a moisturizer
Olive oil contains potent polyphenols and antioxidants that help restore and renew skin cells. You can use it as a moisturizer to make your hands and skin feel softer. You can use olive oil during pregnancy for crazy-dry and cracked skin. Just apply about one teaspoon of olive oil to clean the skin.
13. Extra virgin olive oil cooked food is more nutritious
Studies show that cooking with extra virgin olive oil during pregnancy can increase the nutrient content of your food since the antioxidants in Extra Virgin Olive Oil are resistant to heat. This means that they don’t break down and instead end up being absorbed by the cooked food3.
It also helps the cooked food to retain some nutrients that are usually lost in the cooking process.
Conclusion
Olive oil is widely recognized as one of the world’s healthiest oils. People who consume olive oil as a staple part of the diet tend to live longer and healthier lives. Olive oil is commonly used in foods. As a medicine, people most commonly use olive oil for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Olive oil during pregnancy also has an abundance of benefits.
Consuming extra virgin olive oil during pregnancy is much recommended. Though it has a bitter flavor, it contains more antioxidants than other types, as it undergoes the least processing. Also, Olive oil is very heart-healthy since it is full of monounsaturated fats. Keep incorporating this food in moderation for better results.