Ginger for pregnant women: benefits and side effects

Ginger has long been recognized as a traditional remedy for nausea and vomiting. This is why ginger is often consumed to relieve it morning sickness in pregnant women. The active content in it is believed to relieve indigestion so that pregnancy feels more comfortable.

Although it is useful, giving ginger to pregnant women should not be arbitrary. Excessive consumption of ginger can actually have side effects on the mother and the fetus. Consider the following information to find out the benefits of ginger for pregnant women and the rules for consuming it.

Benefits of ginger during pregnancy

Ginger is one of the healthiest herbs, because the nutrients and active compounds in it provide special benefits for health. In addition, ginger is relatively safe for consumption by everyone, including pregnant women with all their complaints.

In general, here are the benefits that pregnant women will get from consuming ginger:

1. Relieves symptoms morning sickness

Morning sickness is one of the common complaints in pregnant women, especially in the early trimester of pregnancy. This condition is characterized by nausea and vomiting which sometimes gets worse due to smell, certain foods, heat, etc.

Ginger contains two active substances called gingerol and shogaol. Both act on the receptors of the digestive system and help speed up gastric emptying. By emptying the stomach, the nausea will fade away.

This benefit has previously been proven by a number of deep studies Nutrition Journal . Ginger supplementation of 1.1-1.5 grams for pregnant women was found to reduce nausea drastically, but they did not mention its effect on vomiting.

2. Relieves muscle and abdominal pain

Pregnant women usually complain of muscle pain due to hormone surges and changes in their body. Apart from pain, you may also experience thigh and buttock cramps during pregnancy. Although natural, this condition certainly makes pregnancy feel uncomfortable.

Fortunately, ginger can relieve muscle pain because it contains anti-inflammatory compounds. This compound does not immediately remove the pain center point, but at least it can reduce stomach pain during pregnancy.

On a study in a journal Phytotherapy Research , consumption of two grams of ginger for 11 days has been shown to reduce pain due to exercise. Although not caused by pregnancy, the anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger may still be beneficial for pregnant women.

3. Smooth digestion

Consumption of ginger is also beneficial for the smooth digestion of pregnant women. During pregnancy, pregnant women are prone to experience heartburn and stomach acid goes up. This disorder is usually caused by hormonal changes or pressure from the fetus's head on the mother's stomach.

The gingerol and shogaol compounds in ginger help speed up digestion in the stomach. That way, the stomach will empty faster, reducing the possibility of stomach acid rising into the esophagus.

On a deep study World Journal of Gastroenterology , regular consumption of ginger can speed up gastric emptying by up to four minutes. This means that the food in the stomach will move faster towards the next stage of digestion.

Ginger side effects for pregnant women

Unlike drugs, there is no definite dosage standard for pregnant women who want to consume ginger. However, experts recommend that pregnant women do not consume more than 1,000 milligrams of ginger a day.

This amount is equivalent to four cups of instant ginger tea. If you like to make your own ginger tea or soup, the safe limit is roughly the equivalent of one teaspoon of grated, dried ginger.

There is no scientific evidence that giving ginger to pregnant women increases the risk of premature birth, miscarriage, or other complications. However, it is feared that consumption of ginger close to the time of delivery will increase the risk of bleeding.

Excessive consumption of ginger can also trigger a number of side effects. Referring to several previous studies, these side effects include:

• headache and dizziness
• abdominal discomfort or burning
• sleepy and lethargic
• heartburn
• diarrhea

If you experience these symptoms after eating something that uses ginger, then you need to reduce the amount. Limit your intake to no more than 1,000 milligrams a day and don't take it regularly.

If you want to consume ginger during pregnancy, you should choose from a safer source such as fresh ginger in cooking or ginger tea. Do not take ginger supplements carelessly, especially without the doctor's knowledge. The reason is, the dose of supplements is usually large so it needs to be adjusted according to your needs.

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