Guava During Pregnancy: Is It Safe and Beneficial for the Fetus?

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The question of whether pregnant women can eat guava is a concern for many expectant mothers, as guava contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals. Understanding this concern, today, AVAKids will help pregnant women better understand the effects of guava as well as answer the above question through the following article.

Nutritional Value of Guava

Before answering the question: “Is it good for pregnant women to eat guava?“, let’s explore the nutritional components of guava with AVAKids.

We all know that guava is a very familiar fruit to every Vietnamese person. Not only rich in vitamins and minerals, guava also has a sweet and sour taste that is very refreshing and popular among pregnant women. According to research from the United States Department of Agriculture, 100g of guava contains:

  • 36-50 calories
  • 77-86g water
  • 0.1-0.5g fat
  • 0.9-1.0g protein
  • 0.43-0.7g ash
  • 2.8-5.5g dietary fiber
  • 9.5-10g carbohydrates
  • 9.1-17mg calcium
  • 0.30-0.70mg iron
  • 17.8-30mg phosphorus
  • 200-400 IU vitamin A
  • 200-400mg vitamin B1
  • 0.03-0.04mg vitamin B2
  • 0.6-1.086mg vitamin B3

In addition, guava is readily available everywhere and at any time because this fruit is sold year-round. When pregnant women eat guava, they supplement their body with essential vitamins. Let’s explore the benefits of guava with AVAKids!

Pregnant women eating guava

Guava is a fruit rich in vitamins and fiber

Benefits of Eating Guava During Pregnancy

Can pregnant women eat guava? The answer is yes. Guava is rich in nutritional value and offers many health benefits for pregnant women.

Pregnant women eating guava

Guava brings many unexpected benefits to pregnant women

Stabilizes Blood Pressure

The first benefit of pregnant women eating guava is limiting high blood pressure and reducing the risk of blood clots. In addition, eating guava helps prevent conditions such as premature birth or miscarriage.

Controls Blood Cholesterol

Guava contains a large amount of fiber and vitamins, so when pregnant women eat it, it can help control blood cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is the main cause of negativity and cardiovascular diseases in general. This negatively affects the health of both the mother and the fetus. Therefore, eating guava is very good for health during pregnancy.

Reduces Constipation and Hemorrhoids

A great benefit when pregnant women eat guava is the reduction of constipation during pregnancy, along with limiting the possibility of pregnancy-related hemorrhoids. Guava contains a lot of good fiber and vitamins; however, remember to remove the seeds and eat only the flesh of the fruit.

Helps Relax Muscles and Nerves

In addition to vitamins and other substances, guava also contains a lot of magnesium. When pregnant women eat guava, this mineral helps relax nerves and muscles. Thereby, limiting uncomfortable cramps throughout pregnancy.

Helps the Body Fight Infection

An unexpected benefit when pregnant women eat guava is that it helps the body fight against bacterial and viral infections. Vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, isoflavonoids, polyphenols, etc., are antioxidants found in guava. Eating guava helps prevent infections caused by free radicals in the body and provides antioxidant benefits.

Supports a Healthy Digestive System

Eating guava can reduce nausea, indigestion, and belching. Moreover, guava is alkaline, helping to balance stomach acid and reducing the risk of acid reflux in pregnant women.

Pregnant women can add guava to their snack or dessert menu, which also contributes to maintaining and balancing the PH level in the stomach.

Reduces the Risk of Anemia

During pregnancy, many pregnant women often experience anemia. This has adverse effects on both the mother and the fetus because blood cells do not carry enough oxygen to the body’s cells. Therefore, eating guava can limit the risk of anemia during pregnancy.

Prevents Gestational Diabetes

Eating guava throughout pregnancy can help regulate blood sugar levels. In addition, it also helps control blood sugar, contributing to the prevention of gestational diabetes.

Prevents Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

Often in the first 3 months, pregnant women experience fatigue, loss of appetite, and sometimes leg cramps. Therefore, when pregnant women eat guava, the magnesium in guava helps to relax muscles, thus limiting sudden cramps.

Is it Okay for Pregnant Women to Eat Guava?

Eating guava not only brings many benefits to the mother but is also very good for the fetus.

Prevents Birth Defects

To prevent birth defects, mothers should supplement nutrients for the baby’s nervous system from the very first days in the womb. Guava is one such beneficial food for the baby’s nervous system, and mothers should include it in their daily diet.

Guava contains a large amount of vitamin B9 and folic acid – essential nutrients for the development of the fetal nervous system. Therefore, eating guava can help prevent birth defects.

Good for Fetal Bones and Teeth

Can pregnant women eat guava? Guava contains much more calcium than other fruits like oranges. It can be said that this is a food source that can supplement calcium for the baby, good for fetal development, especially the skeletal and dental system.

Good for the Newborn’s Nervous System

Guava contains a lot of folic acid, an important nutrient that helps the fetus develop its nervous system and brain. Therefore, eating guava contributes to the comprehensive development of the baby’s nervous system.

Can Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Eat Guava?

Can pregnant women with gestational diabetes eat guava? The answer is yes. However, pregnant women should only eat guava in moderation. Guava contains tannins, which can cause indigestion, bloating, or even loss of appetite, negatively affecting both mother and baby.

On the other hand, eating guava also brings effectiveness in the treatment of gestational diabetes:

Reduces Insulin Resistance in Patients:

Experts, after testing and analyzing, have suggested that protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B enzyme extract found in guava fruit and leaves has the ability to resist insulin in pregnant women with diabetes. It can be said that eating guava is one of the simple but effective ways to treat gestational diabetes.

Guava has a Relatively Low Glycemic Load

Dr. Jonny Bowden, a nutrition expert, said that in the daily diet of diabetic patients, attention must be paid to the GL (Glycemic Load) of food.

Pregnant women with diabetes can only eat foods with a high GI but a low GL. A typical example is guava, which has a GI of 78, but in 100g of guava, the GL accounts for only 4/10. Therefore, pregnant women with gestational diabetes can still eat guava.

Guava Helps Limit the Increase in Blood Sugar After Eating

The main components of guava are vitamins and fiber. Therefore, after eating guava, it helps reduce cholesterol absorption and limit the increase in blood sugar. Therefore, people with diabetes, especially pregnant women, can absolutely enjoy this fruit.

Things to Note When Pregnant Women Eat Guava

Guava is not only delicious but also brings many benefits. However, pregnant women should note the following when eating guava:

  • Only eat guava from a clear source, wash and peel it before eating to avoid parasites and bacteria on the fruit harming the health of the mother and fetus.
  • Only eat a moderate amount of guava each day, do not eat too much, which can lead to excess fiber and harm the digestive tract.
  • Note: Pregnant women should not eat unripe, hard guavas.
  • Pregnant women should remove the seeds to avoid toothaches and constipation.
  • For pregnant women with stomach pain, do not eat too much guava, especially green guava.

How to Choose Delicious Guava for Pregnant Women

For pregnant women to eat guava that is delicious and nutritious, let’s consult these tips with AVAKids!

Choose Guava Based on Shape and Peel

Delicious guavas will have a symmetrical shape, not be distorted, and feel firm when held. The guava peel is usually rough, with faint lines. Guavas with rough skin usually have a lot of flesh and few seeds. On the other hand, smooth, soft-looking guavas will have a bland and spongy taste, not delicious.

Guava Color

Depending on individual taste, pregnant women can choose guavas according to their ripeness. Guavas with dark green skin are usually hard and have a bitter, unpleasant taste. Guavas with green skin but no yellow tint are usually not ripe enough. Therefore, when buying guava, pregnant women should prioritize choosing fruits that are light green and slightly yellow.

Another note is that if pregnant women like to eat soft guava, prioritize choosing fruits with a uniform yellow color, shiny and smooth looking. Those are naturally ripe and very soft guavas.

Based on the Weight and Firmness of the Guava

Pregnant women should prioritize choosing guavas that feel firm and heavy. This will be the type of guava with juicy and delicious flesh. Conversely, soft and light guavas or those with withered, soft skin may be overripe, mushy, and not tasty.

The Stem and Leaves of the Guava

Pregnant women should choose fresh guava based on the following characteristics:

  • Freshly picked guava will have very clear identifying characteristics, namely a fresh, soft stem and green leaves.
  • Choose guavas where the flesh near the stem has expanded and turned slightly yellow for the best flavor.
  • Green guavas will have a hard, green stem that has not fully expanded.

The Navel of the Guava

The wider the guava’s navel, the riper it is. If you see that the navel of the guava is larger, it means the guava is riper. Conversely, if the navel is small and deep, the guava is still green and will be astringent. Pregnant women can rely on this characteristic to choose the appropriate type of guava.

Delicious Guava Recipes for Pregnant Women

After knowing the answer to the question of whether pregnant women can eat guava, AVAKids would like to share some delicious guava recipes for pregnant women.

1. Guava Juice

Ingredients:
  • 1 guava
  • Sugar
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions:

  • Wash the guava, peel, remove the seeds, and cut into small pieces.
  • Then, put the prepared guava into a slow juicer and extract the juice.
  • Add sugar and salt to taste.
  • Pour the guava juice into a glass, add ice, garnish, and enjoy.
Pregnant women eating guava

Guava Juice

2. Guava Jam

Ingredients:

  • 1 guava
  • 1 lemon
  • Sugar and other spices

Instructions:

  • Wash the guava and cut it into slices about 1cm thick. Prepare 1 liter of cold water, add the juice of half a lemon and salt to soak the guava.
  • After 15 minutes, put sugar and guava into a jar/container/basin in a 1:1 ratio, alternating layers. Marinate for about 3 hours for the guava to absorb the sweetness.
  • Turn on the stove, wait for the pan to heat up, then add the prepared guava and sugar water, stirring over high heat. Wait for the mixture to boil, then reduce the heat and add a pinch of salt, stirring evenly.
  • Continue simmering until the sugar water thickens.
  • When the water almost evaporates, reduce the heat to low, squeeze in the lemon juice, and stir constantly until the sugar gradually turns yellow and sticky, then turn off the heat.
  • Arrange on a plate and enjoy.
Pregnant women eating guava

Guava jam is a unique and attractive dish

During pregnancy, nutrition is one of the most important issues for expectant mothers. AVAKids hopes this article has helped mothers answer the question “Is it good for pregnant women to eat guava, and is it good for the fetus?”, so that they can make appropriate adjustments to their diet. We wish all pregnant women a healthy pregnancy.