Benefits Of Custard Apple During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you have surely been handed out a number of restrictions by your doctor, especially regarding your diet.

Pregnant women are often not allowed to gorge on the usual ‘tasty’ food as they can cause harm to the baby.

Naturally, many women find it difficult to satiate their hunger cravings during pregnancy.

However, if you want something that your taste buds will like and at the same time be good for your pregnancy diet, then custard apple is what you want!

The fruit originates in South America where it is commonly known as cherimoya. It is also referred to as sugar apple, sheetaphal, and sharifa in different parts of the world.

It is a seasonal fruit available mainly during August to October. The unripe fruits are dark green in color while the ripe ones are light green.

The edible ripe fruits will be sweet, juicy and have an aromatic flavor. This fruit has a great taste and has important nutrients that will compliment
your daily diet.

Let’s find out how custard apple is beneficial for pregnant women:

Helps in fetal development

The vitamins (A and C) present in custard apple can help in fetal development.

It helps in building the brain cells, fetal nerves, the immune system while being useful for good skin and hair, eye vision, and much more.

Relieves labor pain

Though there is no scientific proof to the fact, yet traditional users believe that consumption of custard apple during pregnancy helps reduce labor pain.

It also aids in minimizing the chances of a miscarriage.

Reduces chances of premature births

Copper is an essential mineral for all pregnant mothers.

Not only does copper help in the proper development of blood vessels, tendons, and skin, it also plays an important role in preventing premature births.

Custard apple being rich in copper supplies the mineral to your daily diet.

Averts anemia

Pregnant women need more hemoglobin to be able to help in the proper growth of the baby.

Custard apple supplies iron to the body as well that helps in the creation of hemoglobin and reduces chances of anemia.

Eases constipation

Custard apple supplies you with a good amount of fiber which can help in proper bowel movements, thus reducing chances of constipation and other related problems.

Keeps morning sickness at bay

Morning sickness and nausea are the two most common problems that all pregnant women face.

Custard apple has a good amount of Vitamin B6 which helps in alleviating both these symptoms in pregnant women.

Aids in detoxification

Custard apple is also a great antioxidant and thus, helps in eliminating the free radicals from the body.

The antioxidants also help in the development of a healthy immune system and ensure that your kidneys function properly.

Stay away from toothache

Oral problems such as inflammation of the gums, toothache, etc. are common during pregnancy.

Taking custard apples on a regular basis can help you stay away from these
problems.

Supplies magnesium

Pregnant mothers need magnesium in their diets as the mineral aids in preventing cardiac problems and helps in muscle relaxation.

Custard apple being magnesium sufficient should be a part of your diet.

Regulates blood pressure

Blood pressure fluctuations are common in pregnant women. The magnesium and potassium present in the fruit helps in maintaining normal blood pressure during pregnancy.

Aids weight loss

Being underweight during pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby.

That is why, you need to maintain proper body weight during pregnancy.

And custard apple helps you do just that. The fruit is loaded with natural sugars and high calories that can help you gain weight naturally.

Helps in cooling the body

Custard apple has natural cooling properties that can help your body stay cool. It, thus, aids in curing dysentery and diarrhea in pregnant women.

Relieves congestion

The fruit works as an expectorant and stimulant and helps removing nasal congestion.

It also removes mucus that can cause allergies in people who are allergy-prone.

Can be used as milk substitute

For women who allergic to lactose, custard apple can act as a substitute for milk.

This is because the fruit has all the nutritional benefits that milk can offer to pregnant women.

Stimulates milk production

The fruit is also known to have stimulatory effects on the milk glands.

This helps in increasing breast milk production after birth.

Skin benefits

A paste prepared from the skin of the custard apple can help in the treatment of skin infections like ulcers, abscesses, etc.

The paste must be applied on the affected spot two times every day.

Custard apple is, indeed, a great fruit to add to your diet when you are pregnant.

But before you do so, you need to keep in mind that fruit may have side-effects in certain cases like below:

Taking the unripe fruit can cause digestive issues. That is why, before consuming, make sure that the fruit is properly ripened.

Make sure that you never swallow the seeds as they can be poisonous.

The fruit has high sugar content. So, pregnant women with gestational diabetes should never take the fruit as it can cause adverse effect.

If your body shows adverse reactions to cooling agents, then it is best to avoid the fruit as it is a natural cooling agent.

Too much consumption of the fruit can also lead to pimples and acne.

Also, make sure to have a talk with your doctor before you start consuming the fruit.

Custard apple makes a great addition to your daily diet during pregnancy.

There have been debates about its usefulness during pregnancy, but all things aside, its nutritional value does, indeed, make it beneficial to pregnant women.

So, ask your doctor today if you can consume custard apple during your pregnancy and try out various interesting custard apple recipes today.

You will never feel bored of your pregnancy diet ever again!