Watermelon has more benefits than most people know, especially pregnant women. While it’s already known to be an excellent source of lycopene, the most powerful carotenoid known to man, watermelon also contains vitamin C, B-complex vitamins and the trace mineral zinc. In fact, if you’re looking to find natural ways to help with your pregnancy or are just trying to boost your overall health during this special time, you can’t go wrong by adding watermelon into your diet. Here are 5 benefits of watermelon for pregnant women that you may not know about!
1) Watermelon Is Nutritious
Watermelon is a delicious fruit that is loaded with nutrients. It has plenty of lycopene, which is a nutrient found in red fruits and vegetables that may help reduce the risk of cancer as well as cardiovascular disease. It also contains potassium which can help to regulate blood pressure levels.
Lycopene and potassium are two nutrients that pregnant women are often encouraged to eat more in order to promote baby health. Additionally, watermelon has many other vitamins and minerals like folate, vitamin C, B-6, beta-carotene, magnesium, manganese and phosphorous.
Watermelons are also very low in calories (usually about 25 per cup) meaning they’re a great snack for pregnant women who need to maintain their weight throughout the pregnancy. They’re sweet but don’t have any added sugars which means you can indulge guilt free! They also contain about 80% water, so it’s an excellent hydrating fruit that’s perfect when you feel parched or bloated from eating all those veggies! Plus, there’s no reason to avoid this fruit if you had cravings while pregnant because there aren’t any harmful chemicals or additives in it. All you have to do is cut it up into small pieces and add some honey or granulated sugar on top if needed.
2) Watermelon May Help Ease Leg Cramps
One way that watermelon can help pregnant women is by providing the nutrients they need to stay hydrated. Leg cramps are a common side effect of being pregnant, and watermelon is one food that contains enough potassium to ease the discomfort.
Another study found that participants who ate about 1 1⁄2 cups of watermelon each day had significantly less leg cramping than those who didn’t eat it at all.
3) Watermelon May Help Relieve Heartburn
Watermelon may be a great snack for pregnant women because it contains large amounts of water. Eating watermelon can also help to relieve heartburn, which is common during pregnancy. The citrulline in the fruit works to reduce inflammation and can reduce symptoms associated with heartburn.
In addition, watermelon provides minerals such as magnesium and potassium that are essential during pregnancy because they help prevent cramps and muscle spasms. Magnesium helps to relax muscles while potassium helps regulate blood pressure levels. Potassium also helps make up 50% of the total content in a woman’s body so it is important that pregnant women ensure they get enough.
4) Watermelon Is Hydrating
Watermelon is a hydrating food because it contains a high percentage of water. The fruit is also low in calories and can help you feel full, which may make you less likely to overeat during your pregnancy. This also means that the fruit can help with weight management and reduce the risk for gestational diabetes. Additionally, watermelons contain electrolytes like potassium and magnesium which are both beneficial to pregnant women. With such a low-calorie content, there is no need to worry about consuming too many calories from the fruit. Lastly, watermelons are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that may have anti-cancer properties.
5) Watermelon May Help Lower the Risk of Gestational Diabetes
Recent research has shown that watermelon is rich in the essential nutrient, Vitamin C. This nutrient may help to lower the risk of gestational diabetes, a pregnancy complication that can lead to serious health issues for both mom and baby.
In addition, watermelon is a great source of potassium and magnesium. These minerals help promote heart health and control blood pressure levels during pregnancy.
Watermelons are also an excellent source of lycopene which is believed to have antioxidant properties as well as improve bone health.
