Benefits of Watermelon for Pregnant Women and Their Fetus

09:02 PM

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Books – Muhammad Amin:

Some women wonder about the possibility of including watermelon in the diet during pregnancy, for fear that it will negatively affect the health of the mother and fetus when eating it.

In this regard, Dr. Marwa Mohamed, a clinical nutritionist, said that watermelon is a useful and safe summer fruit for pregnant women, and the reason is that it contains a variety of nutrients necessary for her health and the health of her fetus.

Also read: Before you start cutting a red watermelon, an expert outlines an important step to take

Marwa identified the benefits of watermelon for pregnant women and the fetus in the following points:

1- Watermelon plays a major role in hydrating the body of a pregnant woman and reducing her risk of dehydration in the summer, because water constitutes more than 90% of its total nutritional value.

2- A pregnant woman can rely on watermelon to overcome constipation, because the water the body gets when consuming it helps to improve bowel movement and facilitate digestion and excretion.

3- Watermelon provides a pregnant woman with great protection against pre-eclampsia, as it helps to control blood pressure and prevent it from rising above the normal rate.

4- Watermelon reduces swelling and swelling of the body during sleep, because it stimulates the kidneys to expel excess fluid through urine, thanks to its high water content.

5- Watermelon helps to strengthen the immune system when pregnant, because it contains nutrients that make the body more able to fight bacteria and viruses, such as lycopene.

6- Pregnant women become less likely to develop dry eyes when eating watermelon, because it is rich in vitamin A, which gives the eyes the necessary hydration.

7- Watermelon makes pregnant women less prone to fractures, because it contains calcium, which helps to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

However, a pregnant woman should eat watermelon in moderation, because excessive consumption of it leads to high blood sugar, and then gestational diabetes, because it contains a lot of carbohydrates compared to fiber, according to Healthline.

The pregnant woman should keep the watermelon in the refrigerator, because leaving it at room temperature may accelerate spoilage, and with eating it, the risk of food poisoning increases.