Is It Safe To Drink Lime Juice During Pregnancy?

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Lime juice may have several health benefits when consumed regularly. However, many women may be curious about the safety of consuming lime juice during pregnancy. It is often considered good for health and does not risk pregnant women. However, since every woman is different, it is important to consult a doctor before consuming it. Moreover, excess consumption of lime juice may have adverse health effects such as causing oral health issues, acidity, or heartburn. Read the post to get complete information on the nutritional value of lime juice, its benefits, and its side effects during pregnancy.

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Is It Safe To Drink Lime Juice During Pregnancy?

Consult a doctor before drinking lime juice during pregnancy.

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Most medical experts will say that drinking lemon juice during pregnancy is safe (1). However, every pregnancy is unique, and your body may respond differently to the change. Therefore, it is always important to check with your doctor before you add anything to your maternal nutrition.

Quick fact

Lemon juice, in moderation, keeps you hydrated and may help with indigestion and constipation (1).

Nutritional Value Of Lime Juice

A cup of undiluted lemon juice contains approximately 0.7 grams of dietary fiber, 6.2 grams of sugar, 0.9 grams of protein, 54 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrates and 0.6 grams of fat. It is a rich source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium, all of which are essential while you are pregnant. Lemon juice also contains minerals like iron, zinc, thiamin, phosphorus riboflavinⁱXA type of water-soluble vitamin B found in foods like eggs, milk, nuts, and green vegetables and pantothenic acidⁱXAlso known as vitamin B5, an essential nutrient found in meat, vegetables, cereals, eggs, and milk and electrolytes such as calcium and magnesium. It also has vitamins A, B6 and E (2).

According to Mya Bellinger, a qualified medical practitioner specializing in internal medicine, immunology, and gynecology, “Potassium in the lime juice may help in the formation of strong bones as well as promote healthy brain development in the unborn child.”

Be aware of these points before you have lemon juice in your pregnancy:

1. Can cause acidity, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal issues

Consuming excess lemon juice may cause heartburn.

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Lemon is a citrus fruit and consuming too much lemon juice can cause problems like acidity and heartburn. It can also lead to gastrointestinal issues like stomachaches, diarrhea or indigestion in the later stage of your pregnancy. Stop drinking lemon juice the moment you experience discomfort. If the symptoms do not go away, speak to your obstetric specialist about it (1).

2. Problems in oral health

Lemon juice contains citric acid and excessive intake of it when you are pregnant can dent your teeth’s enamelⁱXThe thin, outer covering of the tooth composed of calcium phosphate, which protects the inner teeth . Try and mix it with water and use a straw to sip it to minimize the erosion of your teeth enamel. Your risk of getting gingivitisⁱXA mild form of gum disease that causes redness and inflammation of the gum also increases when you are pregnant (1).

3. Increases risk of foodborne illnesses

Drinking unpasteurized lemon juice causes gastrointestinal infection.

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The safest way to have lemon juice, when you are pregnant, is to make it fresh at home. Always wash the lemon and ensure the utensils and appliances are clean. Your immunity levels are at an all-time low when you are pregnant. Drinking unpasteurized lemon juice can increase the risk of contracting bacteria like E-coliⁱXA type of harmless bacteria usually found in the intestines of humans and animals or salmonellaⁱXA bacteria that usually affects the intestines and is caused by contaminated food and water . These bacteria can attack your gastrointestinal tract and affect your digestion. A foodborne illness is dangerous as it can harm your unborn baby as well as you. Maintaining hygiene in your kitchen can help you keep gastrointestinal infections at bay during pregnancy.

Benefits Of Lemon Juice In Pregnancy

Drinking lemon juice with warm water relieves swollen feet.

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Lemon is high in Vitamin C, a vital prenatal vitamin that enhances immune system functioning. Apart from its use in hydration, drinking lemon juice during your pregnancy can have the following benefits for both you and your baby:

Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water can help prevent or reduce the swelling in your feet when you are pregnant. You can also drink a mix of lemon juice and bitter gourd juice. It is good for preventing and reducing the problem of swelling in feet that is common during pregnancy. Mya Bellinger adds, “The high antioxidants and vitamin C content in lime juice have anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce swelling.” High blood pressure is often a common problem during pregnancy. Mix the juice of half a lime and two tablespoons of tartar cream. Drinking it will help keep your blood pressure levels in check (1).

Quick tip

Sipping warm lemon water with honey (pasteurized) and ginger may soothe symptoms of cold during pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does lime juice affect the womb?

A study in mice noted that lime juice might affect the amount of ova shed, reducing fertility (3). However, there are no studies on humans. In general, drinking a moderate amount of lime juice is unlikely to affect your womb or fertility.

2. Is lime good for pregnancy nausea?

Yes. Lime is a citrus fruit that can help ease nausea or morning sickness in pregnant women (4).

3. Does craving lime during pregnancy indicate a boy or a girl?

Craving lime during pregnancy may indicate vitamin C deficiency and has nothing to do with the baby’s gender (5).

4. Can lime affect early pregnancy?

Being a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C, lime juice can safely be given to a pregnant woman during early pregnancy.

Lime juice offers several nutrients, such as vitamin C, potassium, folateⁱXAlso known as vitamin B-9, it is used as a dietary supplement and is essential for the formation of red blood cells , and zinc. Drinking lime juice during pregnancy is safe and may offer health benefits such as reduced swelling in the feet and blood pressure regulation. However, since every woman’s body is different, she may react to foods differently. Therefore, some women may experience acidity, heartburn, and oral health issues. Further, drinking unpasteurized lemon juice can put you at risk of contracting E.coli and salmonella infections. Hence, if you experience any discomfort after drinking lime juice, contact a doctor for the best advice.

Infographic: Amazing Benefits Of Lime Juice In Pregnancy And Side Effects

Consuming lime juice in moderation during pregnancy has many health benefits. However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of having lime juice too. The infographic below takes you through both pros and cons of having lime juice when pregnant.

benefits and side effects of lime juice in pregnancy (infographic)

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic

Key Pointers

Lime juice is generally safe for pregnant women, but consulting with a doctor is necessary to prevent unwanted reactions.
Drinking warm water mixed with lime juice can alleviate nausea, high blood pressure, and swelling in feet during pregnancy.
Overconsumption of lime juice can cause acidity, heartburn, oral health problems, and gastrointestinal issues.
It is safest to consume lime juice by preparing fresh juice at home.

References:

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