Is It Safe to Eat Ginger During Pregnancy?

Ginger is one of the most important and commonly used ingredients in Indian recipes. It is mostly used to add up taste and flavour, but it has nutritional benefits also. In fact, ginger is added to spice up the food. Read on to know whether it is safe to eat ginger during pregnancy or not.Your body undergoes a list of changes when you are expecting a baby – you may find it difficult to understand what to eat and what not to. All this while, a food which was so nutritious and beneficial for your body can turn out to be the opposite once you are pregnant, so it is always important to know the pros and cons of consuming a certain food.Ginger is added to spice up many recipes, so it is widely used. Ginger is loaded with many nutrients that you need during pregnancy, and it is important to know if it is safe to include ginger in your pregnancy diet.In this articleIs It Healthy to Eat Ginger During Pregnancy?Is Ginger Good for Your Baby?Intake Ginger in Different FormsCan I Eat Ginger During Pregnancy?Be Careful from Overconsumption of GingerFrequently Asked QuestionsIs It Healthy to Eat Ginger During Pregnancy?Ginger is popular in neutralizing stomach acids and thus helping in preventing bloating, gas, acidity and easing digestion even when you are pregnant. You can chew some ginger sticks to get rid of any bad odour occurring due to indigestion. Ginger offers immediate relief if you are feeling nausea and are suffering from morning sickness.There is also a risk of high cholesterol level during pregnancy which is a big risk for mothers, but this issue is resolved effectively by eating ginger as it helps reduce the cholesterol levels. Ginger is also known for boosting immunity, so that you can fight common colds, persistent coughs, and minor ailments easily. Ginger also contains a dozen of antioxidants, thus helping it act as a super anti-inflammatory agent.Is Ginger Good for Your Baby?Not only mother, but ginger has beneficial effects on the baby also. Ginger is known to boost blood circulation in your body, which allows the baby to get enough blood supply. Ginger increases the supply of vitamin C and iron - this reduces the chances of birth defects by supporting the immune system of your baby inside the womb. Intake Ginger in Different FormsGinger is majorly used up in adding spices in many curries and other dishes. Pregnancy is an interesting period where you can get experimental with new things to get rid of the boredom of having the same dishes. You can add fresh ginger in your tea and feel great having a sip of it. You can mince ginger on steamed veggies and roasted potatoes. You can also enjoy a new taste by adding shredded ginger on your soups. But make sure you are using the clean and fresh ginger in all your recipes.Can I Eat Ginger During Pregnancy?There are studies that have shown good effects of eating ginger during pregnancy. Even the study of small doses of ginger passing through breast milk has shown no harmful effects yet, so ginger is considered to be safe for you and your unborn baby.Be Careful from Overconsumption of GingerIt is always best to have ginger in fresh form in small quantities, and avoid eating them too much. It is known that often the ginger candies and crystallized gingers have large doses of ginger. Although there is no scientific evidence behind it, heavy doses of ginger during pregnancy may lead to miscarriage or menstrual bleeding causing potential danger to you and your unborn baby. So you need to consult your doctor before eating such candies or you need to be fully aware that the doses in the candies are not large.Even studies have shown that eating ginger is fine during pregnancy, it is better to reassure it with your doctor. Discuss whether you should use ginger to ward off nausea often or whether you should take fresh ginger in tea or whether you should take in small or large doses. It is always safe to ask your doctor as your doctor is the person who knows your pregnancy closely.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to Eating Ginger during PregnancyTake a quick look at questions women have during pregnancy regarding the consumption of ginger.Is it safe to eat ginger during pregnancy?It is extremely safe to have ginger during pregnancy, but it should not be consumed in excess. Consuming ginger in moderation during pregnancy can help to ease problems like nausea and vomiting. As per some experts, intake of ginger in higher quantities may increase certain health risks during pregnancy.Can intake of ginger during pregnancy cause miscarriage?Although ginger is a heat inducing food, there is no scientific evidence that consuming it may cause miscarriages or stillbirths in pregnant women. Its consumption in moderation is considered safe.Is it safe to treat cold and cough with ginger during pregnancy?Simple ginger tea can help to deal with the symptoms of cough and cold during pregnancy. But pregnant women should not consume it excessively.How to include ginger in the diet during pregnancy?Ginger can be included in moderation in the diet during pregnancy. It can be included in normal food preparations like chutneys, curries and soups. It can also be added to the morning and evening tea. Just as anything in excess during pregnancy can prove to be harmful, ginger should be included in moderation and with care in diet during pregnancy.Can ginger be eaten raw during pregnancy?Generally, it is alright to eat ginger raw because of its magical healing and medicinal properties. Although it has wonderful medicinal properties pregnant women should be careful. It is better to consume it in cooked form during pregnancy as it is a root and may carry germs and bacteria when consumed in raw form.Can consuming ginger during pregnancy cause abnormalities in the baby?There is no scientific evidence to prove that consuming ginger during pregnancy can cause abnormalities in the baby. Although there is no link between abnormalities and consumption of ginger during pregnancy, pregnant women should not consume it in excess.How much ginger can be included in the diet of a pregnant woman?Ginger can be included in the diet of pregnant women just as it is included in the diet of the other individuals in the family. Excessive consumption should be avoided. In case there is any concern related to the amount of ginger that should be included in the diet of pregnant women, the advice of a doctor must be considered.Can including ginger in the diet of pregnant women cause any complications?It is safe to consume ginger during pregnancy and there is no scientific evidence proving that ginger consumption can cause any complication. Pregnant women should ensure that she is not consuming ginger excessively during pregnancy.What are the side-effects of consuming ginger during pregnancy?Including ginger in diet in small quantities during pregnancy is alright and it may not cause any side-effect. In case if a pregnant woman is coping with any medical condition or is on any medication, advice of a doctor regarding ginger consumption should be considered. Although ginger is beneficial for managing blood sugar levels, in some exceptional cases some doctors may advise pregnant woman coping with gestational diabetes to avoid consuming ginger. At the same time pregnant women who have a history of miscarriages, vaginal bleeding or blood clotting are advised against consumption of ginger during pregnancy in some sensitive cases.Is it safe to consume ginger during early pregnancy?It is alright to consume ginger during early pregnancy if it is consumed in moderation. Pregnant women who are coping with any kind of complications should consult a doctor before including ginger or anything else in her diet during early pregnancy.Can pregnant women take ginger root capsules during pregnancy?Ginger root capsules are recommended for coping with morning sickness. However, pregnant women should not consume these kinds of capsules without a doctor’s prescription.Is it safe for pregnant women to consume ginger candies or ginger chews?It is safe to eat ginger candies or ginger chews during pregnancy. A pregnant woman should buy and consume ginger candies or ginger chews as per the prescription of the doctor.Which are the health benefits of consuming ginger during pregnancy?Take a quick look at the amazing health benefits of consuming ginger during pregnancy.Helps to Deal with NauseaNausea is one of the common pregnancy symptoms. Although it is one of the common pregnancy symptoms, most of the women find it quite annoying. Almost 80% of pregnant women experience this problem which ranges from mild nausea to frequent vomits. Ginger has been proven effective in helping pregnant women deal with this problem. It is not only a traditional remedy but also a scientifically proven remedy for dealing with nausea. Intake of ginger in the form of ginger tea, ginger candy or chews or ginger ale is very helpful for coping with nausea during pregnancy.Aids DigestionDuring pregnancy the digestive system of women is slowed down. It is the effect of pregnancy hormones on the body of the pregnant women. The medicinal properties in ginger can help to stimulate the digestive system in pregnant women thereby improving digestion. Therefore, if ginger is included in the diet of pregnant women in moderation it can help in digestion.Prevents ConstipationAlmost 50% of women cope with constipation during pregnancy. Ginger is known to have natural laxative properties which help to stimulate bowel movements thereby preventing constipation.Prevents HeartburnThe symptoms like heartburn are also common during pregnancy. To deal with this symptom pregnant women can sip on ginger tea in between the meals or have ginger ale which is prepared at home.Boosts Immune SystemThe antimicrobial properties in ginger can prove very beneficial for boosting the immune system of pregnant women. Its medicinal properties are useful in keeping common illnesses in pregnant women at bay.Helps to Deal with Fatigue and TirednessDue to the body changes as well as the hormonal changes pregnant women may experience a lot of fatigue and tiredness. Drinking a fresh cup of ginger tea may provide instant relief from fatigue and tiredness during pregnancy.Helps to Cure Cough, Cold and FluGinger is very effective in dealing with common illnesses like cough, cold and flu. The active component gingerol in ginger helps to provide instant relief from cough, cold and flu.Helps to Manage Blood SugarThrough certain studies it is proved that consuming ginger can improve fasting blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c (a measure of blood sugar control) in type 2 diabetics. Therefore, pregnant women who are coping with diabetes or gestational diabetes can find it easier to manage their blood sugar levels as per the advice of doctors.Helps to Improve LibidoThe healing properties of ginger helps to warm-up the body. It improves the libido by stimulating the circulatory system, especially towards the genital area.Helps to Deal with InflammationInflammation is one of the common symptoms of pregnancy. This symptom can be managed by including ginger in the diet. The gingerol and shogaols content are known to reduce the symptoms like inflammation during pregnancy. However, excessive inflammation can be a sign of complication during pregnancy.Help to Prevent Gas and BlottingGas and blotting are common in pregnancy as the digestion slows down during this period. Including ginger in diet can also help to deal with the symptoms like gas and bloating during pregnancy.Although, including ginger in diet can provide innumerable health benefits during pregnancy, consuming it in excessive amounts should be avoided. A pregnant woman must consult a doctor before trying any home remedies containing ginger for dealing with any common illnesses or symptoms. In general, as well it is necessary for a pregnant woman to consult her doctor before including anything or trying any home remedy during pregnancy for dealing with health ailments.What are the health benefits of ginger? Is it safe to eat ginger during pregnancy? What are the effects of over consuming ginger during pregnancy? Discuss here.