The Benefits of Pears During Pregnancy
Pears are a food that has several benefits during pregnancy. They’re one of the most recommended fruits to include in your diet on a frequent basis. This food not only contains a large amount of antioxidants, but it’s also a source of fiber. We’re talking about an element that improves the functioning of the digestive tract .
Before we begin, we must remember that nutrition experts recommend the intake of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day to maintain a good state of health over the years. In addition, this strategy is related to a lower risk of death from any cause and slower aging.
Pears are good for the digestive tract
One of the main benefits of pears during pregnancy has to do with their fiber content. This substance has been shown to increase the volume of the fecal bolus and causes a greater stimulation of mechanoreceptors . As a result, motility is increased and constipation, which is quite common during pregnancy, is less likely to occur. It’s best to ensure a daily intake of 25 grams of fiber .
It should be noted that the fiber from the pears can also serve as an energy substrate for the bacteria that live in the intestine . It’s even classified as prebiotic. This increases the density of microorganisms and prevents dysbiosis problems that can negatively affect subsequent digestion. This is important to avoid the genesis of inflammatory intestinal diseases.
However, when certain diseases or dysbiosis have already developed, it may be necessary to limit the fiber intake, at least temporarily. Otherwise, the symptomatology could worsen and become increasingly uncomfortable. If this happens during pregnancy, it would be best to consult a nutrition professional for an appropriate solution.
Pears during pregnancy reduce the risk of gestational diabetes
Another of the benefits of pear consumption during pregnancy has to do with the ability of this food to help control blood sugar levels . In part, this is thanks to its fiber content. It’s always important to modulate the entry of glucose into the bloodstream, but more so during pregnancy. It’s possible that, at this time, a disease known as gestational diabetes may develop, causing metabolic alterations in the baby. This is evidenced by a study published in Clinical Chemistry .
To limit the risk, it’s best to prioritize the intake of complex carbohydrates and ensure the consumption of vegetables. If the stipulated daily fiber requirements are met, it will also be more difficult for the problem to occur. However, if the problem does arise, certain adjustments will have to be made to avoid uncontrolled blood sugar levels that could cause serious alterations in the health of the mother and the fetus.
In any case, a good part of the possibility of experiencing this problem is due to the mother’s previous body composition. When a woman isn’t overweight to begin with, it’s rarer for significant metabolic alterations to occur. Even so, it’s best to optimize the diet from the early stages of pregnancy to ensure reproductive success.
There are several benefits to eating pears during pregnancy
As you’ve seen, pears offer several benefits for health and for the fetus when consumed during pregnancy. For this reason, it has to be part of the routines on a frequent basis. Of course, the key is variety, so it’s good to include other fruits as well to ensure good health over the years. In this way, the nutritional requirements will be met.
Finally, keep in mind that during pregnancy, there are some foods that are prohibited, as their consumption could pose risks to the health of the fetus, so they should be completely excluded from the guideline. If you have any doubts, the best thing to do is to consult a professional . This way, you’ll be able to obtain an individualized menu that meets all your needs and ensures the proper development of the baby.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Tabbers MM, Benninga MA. Constipation in children: fibre and probiotics. BMJ Clin Evid. 2015;2015:0303. Published 2015 Mar 10.
- Coustan DR. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Clin Chem. 2013;59(9):1310-1321. doi:10.1373/clinchem.2013.203331
