Can pregnant women eat hawthorn?
I am a 25-year-old pregnant woman preparing for childbirth in the hospital. Recently, I have been craving hawthorn berries and am unsure whether they might affect my health. May I eat them?
Doctor's answer (1)
Generally speaking, pregnant women can eat hawthorn, but it is recommended to consume it in moderation.
Hawthorn is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin A, carotene, and fruit acid. Moderate consumption can supplement some of the nutrients needed during pregnancy and thus help enhance immunity. At the same time, hawthorn can promote digestion, stimulate appetite, lower blood lipids, delay aging, and support fetal growth and development. Therefore, pregnant women can consume hawthorn. It is recommended that pregnant women include hawthorn as part of their daily diet under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist.
However, because hawthorn is acidic, excessive consumption may stimulate the uterus, causing uterine excitement and contractions, thereby increasing the risk of premature birth or miscarriage. In addition, the sugar content in hawthorn may worsen gestational diabetes or lead to rapid weight gain. It is recommended to consume hawthorn in moderation to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by excessive intake.
In daily diet, it is recommended to consume food in appropriate amounts according to personal taste and needs, and maintain a balanced diet to meet individual nutritional requirements.
