Juicy, beautiful black grapes. When I was expecting, they were in season and no matter where I go, I used to see a bunch with perfectly round, colored and ripe-looking black grapes. Since my family asked me to avoid eating black grapes during pregnancy, I wanted to find out why.
It’s true that pregnant women must be cautious of what they eat as it affects both the mother and the baby. During pregnancy, a woman should follow a proper diet for all nine months as it directly influences the growth and development of the baby. It is natural to feel restricted, like I did, but it is important to eat proper and healthy food only. It is also a good habit to include fruits and vegetables so that the body can fight infections as they are an excellent source of nutrients and vitamins. However, it is also important to know that even though fruits are highly beneficial yet some of them can be even harmful to the body. Black grapes are one of the fruits that should be avoided during pregnancy but are good for body in general.
Let us discuss the attributes of black grapes during pregnancy to understand if they are safe to be consumed or not.
What Are Black Grapes?
Black grapes, have a sweet flavor and a velvety color and are loaded with antioxidants and nutrients. They are the oldest fruit to be cultivated over 6000 years in Europe and also in the near east. Its botanical name is Vitis Vinifera. The black grapes are available in two varieties: one that is found near the black sea and the other found in America. The cultivation of most of the grapes is for wine but they even make a healthy snack.
Why Is It Recommended To Avoid Black Grapes During Pregnancy?
It is not recommended for pregnant women to eat black grapes during pregnancy as they comprise compound resveratrol that can lead to pregnancy complications. It has been figured out that resveratro consumption can cause fetal abnormalities While this may hold true, the fact is that you will have to consume large quantities of grapes for this compound to affect your pregnancy negatively .
Butt pregnancy is pregnancy. You crave and you want it and rightly so. So in case of you have cravings for black grapes, have a healthy serving in moderate quantity. Pregnancy is a time to exercise both balance and caution.
Apart from this compound being the reason many people recommend not to consume black grapes when expecting, there is one more catch. The skin of the black grapes is hard to digest by a pregnant woman as the digestive system of the woman is already weak. Thus, if you have a weak digestion, and in order to prevent any digestive issues, it is best to avoid black grapes during pregnancy1.
Related Reading: 8 Ways To Cope With Extreme Food Aversion During Pregnancy
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Are There Any Benefits Of Eating Black Grapes During Pregnancy?
Consumption of black grapes in moderate quantity is beneficial during pregnancy since it helps both the mother and the baby. Thanks to the abundant vitamin C content, grapes are an excellent way to boost your immunity and indirectly benefit the fetus. Few benefits of consuming black grapes during pregnancy or dry black grapes during pregnancy are:
1. Grapes help to boost immunity
The black grapes are high in nutrient value which helps to boost the immunity levels of the pregnant woman whose immunity gets affected due to hormonal changes so consumption of grapes helps the body to fight the different changes and even helps with supporting childbirth. It has Luminol that helps to contract infections. Grapes also the vitamin C, which is vital for boosting immunity. Strong immunity is important for a healthy pregnancy as all that affects the pregnant woman will also affect the baby2.
2. Grapes help with the improvement of the baby’s vision
Black grapes are rich in nutrients like Vitamin A and flavanol. These can potentially support improving the eyesight of the baby in the womb. It also helps improve the eye health of the mother3.
3. Grapes are supportive in fetus development
Black grapes have vitamin B that helps to increase the metabolism of the pregnant woman and is also beneficial for the development of the fetus. Along with this, phosphorus and sodium present in back grapes also help with the development of the fetus.
4. Eating grapes reduce muscle cramp
Since grapes are rich in magnesium, it helps to prevent muscle cramps since a limited number of grapes is good for the muscles. Cramps during pregnancy are uncomfortable, especially in the second and third trimesters. In order to minimize cramps having black grapes during pregnancy third trimester, or black grapes during pregnancy 2nd trimester, is good since they defend the body from shutting down.
Related Reading: 7 Home Remedies For Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy
5. Grapes are instant energy boosters
Ditch those unhealthy energy drinks for grapes to be active all through the day! The natural sugar in grapes, in the form of dextrose and glucose, provides immediate energy to the body, a necessity for pregnant women. Try drinking grape juice to feel energized when you’re feeling down. Also, this can be added to your diet of morning sickness snacks for pregnancy, but only in moderation.
6. Rich source of vitamin B
Vitamin B present in grapes helps boost blood flow and regulate metabolism, as well as aid in maintaining adequate nutrition for babies4. Vitamin B6 during pregnancy is extremely important to your baby’s developing brain and nervous system. Vitamin B6 is also important for your baby’s digestion and absorption of proteins and carbohydrates. Pregnant women may also benefit from its anti-nausea properties and can be on the list of simple ways to prevent pregnancy nausea5.
7. Acts as a cleanser
Black grapes during pregnancy are a good source of antioxidants. It is good for the kidneys, liver, and heart. This means they are good for the developing fetus. Flavonoids, which help prevent inflammation, are found in black grapes. In a study, researchers found that daily consumption of grape powder could help slow down the progression of kidney issues.
8 Reasons Black Grapes Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy
It is recommended by doctors to have black grapes during pregnancy in moderate quantities, yet there are a few reasons for it to be avoided that cannot be overlooked. Some of them are as under:
1. Grapes have a toxic element
Since grapes have a toxin compound known as resveratrol that leads to pregnancy complications, it is best to avoid them during pregnancy. In case of craving by the pregnant woman, it can be given in moderate quantity.
2. Black grapes are difficult to digest
The thick skin of black grapes is hard to digest which can result in excessive indigestion. Indigestion during pregnancy could be due to lack of proper exercise or hormonal imbalance as well. Since it is a cause of acute indigestion, having it in excess can produce more heat in the stomach leading to diarrhoea.
Related Reading: 18 Home Remedies For Constipation During Pregnancy
3. Black grapes cause dehydration
Having back grapes in excess quantity during pregnancy can even result in reducing water in the body that can be harmful to the baby’s health. Staying well hydrated during pregnancy is essential, dehydration at this time can even result in vomiting and having an excessive quantity of grapes can trigger the same6.
4. It leads to weight gain
Grapes are not advisable for women who are already overweight as it is high in calories. Being overweight during pregnancy can lead to many complications. Nutritious for both the mother and the baby, yet not advisable for the mother also as excessive consumption can lead to the fetus becoming bigger in size, resulting in painful labor for the mother.
5. Not advisable if you have gestational diabetes
All expectant mothers suffering from gestational diabetes should avoid its intake and limit the intake of grapes7. Since black grapes have natural sugar, it is not advisable for women who have high blood sugar.
6. Not good for digestive tract issues
Any expectant mother having digestive tract issues or ulcers should avoid the consumption of black grapes during pregnancy. Due to the presence of salicylic acid, grapes can irritate your stomach leading to gastric, headache, and vomiting.
7. Black grapes are too acidic in nature
Raw black grapes are not advisable as they are acidic and can lead to heartburn, vomiting, headache, and nausea8. The acidity level of grapes however varies depending on the region where it is grown. The acidity of grapes grown in warmer climates is lower than that of grapes grown in cooler climates, for instance. Hence, grapes are on the list of foods to watch if you are prone to acidity.
8. May cause stomach pain
Overeating foods with high sugar content, such as grapes, can lead to lose stools. Additionally, grapes are rich in insoluble fibers, which can lead to diarrhea and constipation when consumed in excess. Grape seeds that are not digested can cause severe abdominal pain and may cause appendicitis. Grapes contain Salicylic acid9. It can bring about abdominal pain and bloating.
Related Reading: Black Stool During Pregnancy- Probable Reasons, Remedies And Prevention
Grapes are undoubtedly a great nutritional source and help in balancing the vitamins and mineral requirements of the body throughout pregnancy. Its overconsumption can be detrimental to the health of the mother-baby duo, so no compromises should be made on this front. Yet it is advisable to include it in the diet of the pregnant woman after consulting with the doctor.
According To Our Nutritionist Sushree, “Even though there is various research on social practices, local beliefs and taboos surrounding the avoidance of “black” grapes during pregnancy, black grapes also provide various nutritional benefits. The belief that they can harm fetus is not scientifically proven.
“However, as the saying goes, ‘Everything in excess is harmful,’ consuming black grapes in moderation is considered safe during pregnancy. Overconsumption can increase blood sugar levels, leading to the risk of gestational diabetes, and it can also lead to digestive issues.
“Additionally, the resveratrol present in black grapes might interact with some medications.
“Furthermore, it depends on individual sensitivities, if you are allergic to black grapes, they can be harmful and might cause breathing issues. Therefore, to ensure the health of both mother and baby, it is important to consume black grapes in moderation.”
FAQ’s
It is not advisable to have grapes that are not fully ripe as they have latex that can result in miscarriage if consumed on a regular basis.
The dark variants of grapes are better and beneficial since they are rich in antioxidants and have good fiber as well. The outer skin is also rich in acids like phenolic that are responsible for the fruits anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic properties.
Few varieties of black grapes have more antioxidants than red or green grapes that protect from damaging the cells.
It even offers protection against Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. They even help in healing or curing the illness.
Though good for the health of the mother and the baby, loaded with fats and sugar, they are responsible for weight gain. 100 grams of grapes comprise 67 calories and about 16 grams of sugar, which if taken regularly can lead to weight gain.