Birch sap during pregnancy

Birch sap during pregnancy is not only a healthy product, but also tasty. Due to its rich composition, it has many healing properties and is useful not only for expectant mothers, but also for people with certain pathologies outside of pregnancy. It is better to take this product fresh, during the period when it is just being collected. But it is also important to be able to store it correctly so that it contains the maximum amount of microelements.

Benefits of Birch Sap for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a period when the mother's body requires nutrients not only for the normal functioning of the body, but also for the normal development of the fetus. The process of organogenesis begins in the first trimester, and then the growth and differentiation of tissues continues, which also requires increased attention to your diet. The issue of the drinking regime of a pregnant woman is also very important, since it is necessary to ensure a water balance that will not contribute to the formation of edema, and at the same time, it is necessary to prevent the development of early gestosis. After all, proper rehydration during vomiting of pregnant women is an important component of treatment and prevention of complications.

The issue of using birch sap during pregnancy is widely discussed, since there are opinions that it is harmful. But today, studying the composition of birch sap, we can say for sure that it is not harmful, there are just some features of its use.

The benefits of birch sap for pregnant women are due to its rich composition. In addition to a huge amount of fructose, glucose, birch sap contains minerals - potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium. These microelements are available and are easily absorbed when entering the gastrointestinal tract. It also contains phytoncides - natural protective substances, xylitol, saponins, antioxidants. Such a rich mineral and organic composition of birch sap provides its multifaceted effect on the functioning of many organs and systems.

Potassium is an electrolyte contained inside the cell and ensures the normal functioning of cellular pumps. In case of water-electrolyte imbalance in pregnant women, the amount of sodium increases, which, with a lack of potassium, gets inside the cell and drags water with it, which contributes to the formation of edema. If the potassium deficiency in the woman's body is replenished, then all processes fall into place and potassium takes its place inside the cell, which contributes to the release of sodium and water. This is how the diuretic effect of birch sap manifests itself, which is very important for normalizing the water balance in case of a woman's tendency to edema. Therefore, birch sap for edema during pregnancy is the number one remedy, considering in addition to the pronounced diuretic effect and other beneficial properties of this product.

Magnesium is a mineral that ensures the transmission of nerve impulses in the ganglia and contributes to a pronounced calming effect.

In addition to minerals, birch sap contains xylitol, a substance that has a pronounced choleretic effect. It is used as a medicine for bile outflow disorders in patients with gallstone disease and other liver and biliary tract pathologies. Considering the fact that pregnant women often experience late gestosis in the form of cholestasis in the second half, taking birch sap during pregnancy helps to restore the function of the bile ducts and reduce the severity of clinical symptoms. When taking birch sap, due to its choleretic effect, the degree of jaundice and itching decreases and clinical indicators are normalized.

As for gestosis, the benefits of birch sap are also evident in this case. Early gestosis of pregnant women, which includes nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation, can be leveled with daily use of birch sap in a dose of at least three glasses per day. This is due to the pronounced diuretic property, as well as the ability to improve metabolism in the liver and its detoxification function. Therefore, all under-oxidized metabolic products, including ketone bodies, which are formed during toxicosis of pregnant women, are easily excreted and the condition improves.

Birch sap also affects blood pressure, which is explained not only by its diuretic effect, but also by the content of antioxidants and saponins. These substances not only reduce high blood pressure, but also normalize pressure when it decreases. Therefore, the beneficial properties of birch sap manifest themselves in the form of normalization of blood pressure.

It should also be noted that birch sap reduces weight by improving metabolism, both at the cellular and organ levels. Therefore, in the postpartum period, taking birch sap helps to normalize weight and promotes lactation.

All these beneficial properties of birch sap allow it to be widely recommended to pregnant women, both in the first and second half of pregnancy, and in the postpartum period.

[ 1 ]

Contraindications to the use of birch sap during pregnancy

The question of the benefits of birch sap during pregnancy has been discussed not so long ago, since earlier they talked about the harm of this natural drink for expectant mothers. This was a mistaken opinion, since before that they did not know about the composition of the sap and its beneficial properties.

It should not be forgotten that every medicine, even of natural origin, is useful in moderation and under special circumstances. In this case, it is necessary to say that birch sap should not be consumed in certain conditions. Contraindications to the use of birch sap during pregnancy are due to its effect on metabolism. These include:

• allergic reactions to birch pollen in the pregnant woman's anamnesis. It should be noted that during pregnancy, a woman's body is more sensitive to various allergens, so in case of allergy to birch pollen, the juice is strictly contraindicated. As for other pollinoses, it is necessary to recommend birch juice with caution, since during pregnancy, precisely because of the state of the immune system, cross-allergies are possible.
• cholelithiasis – the pronounced diuretic effect of birch sap in the presence of stones in the gallbladder can provoke hepatic colic.
• In case of diabetes, given the high content of glucose in birch sap, it is necessary to limit the consumption of this drink, since it has a high glycemic index.

These are the main contraindications that are taken into account when recommending the consumption of birch sap; in other cases, it is necessary to assess the situation individually.

Birch sap during pregnancy is a very useful product both for improving water-electrolyte balance and for normal metabolism. Taking this product in women with toxicosis can reduce the severity of symptoms and normalize the general condition. Due to the presence of antioxidants, birch sap has an antitumor effect, which is important in the future not only for the child, but also for the mother. Do not forget about the pleasant taste of this natural drink and its tonic effect.

[ 2 ]