Garlic during pregnancy: How safe is it?
Can you have garlic when you are pregnant?
Pregnancy is a special moment in a woman's life. That being said, it is also the time when one needs to exercise the most precautions and wellness tips for their health and the little ones growing inside them.
There are a lot of dos and don'ts, foods which are recommended and some which are sworn away from. Amongst the most debated ones is garlic. Even though it's an anti-viral food which carries immense benefits for your health, there are some who refrain from eating garlic altogether. We tell you whether it's safe or not.
Is garlic good for you?
Not only does garlic supply a bunch of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for the body, it's also a natural anti-bacterial drug. It normalises blood flow in the body and balances hormonal functioning. The benefits of eating garlic regularly are also being vouched during the current times since it is an anti-viral food. It contains allicin, which effectively works in fighting different germs and viruses from the passageways.
Is garlic safe for pregnant women?
There are certain foods which are termed extremely beneficial during pregnancy and some, like caffeine, which are harmful. Garlic does not fall in any of these categories, so to say.
What happens when you consume garlic during pregnancy?
While garlic is an excellent immunity boosting natural medicine, the real concern draws up when you think about the quantity you consume.
Even though garlic is absolutely safe to have during the first trimester, pregnant women should be cautious about the quantity they have during the later stages of pregnancy, especially during the ending months. Chomping on raw garlic in pregnancy is something a lot of women tend to avoid.
Why are precautions advised?
Garlic if had in small quantities is absolutely safe. However, since it also contains blood-thinning properties which could affect blood pressure, having too much of it can be a little scary.
Another reason why some tend to avoid the herb altogether is because of the taste and smell. Since it is highly pungent, it can be rather unappetizing and make some women nauseous at the sight.
Conclusion
Even though there's a lot of advice and precautions which come along with garlic consumption in pregnancy, it is not unsafe. All you need to remember is to practice moderation instead of avoiding it altogether.
If the taste bothers you, you can also consider adding garlic extract or other such supplements.
Again, do not consider doing anything or making any additions or deletions to your diet before consulting a doctor first.