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Birch juice during pregnancy

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Birch juice during pregnancy is not only a useful product, but also delicious. Due to its rich composition it has many healing properties and is useful not only for expectant mothers, but also for people with certain pathology outside of pregnancy. It is better to take this product fresh, at a time when it is just about to be collected. But it is also important to be able to properly store it, so that it contains the maximum amount of trace elements.

Benefits of birch juice for pregnant women

Pregnancy is the period when the maternal organism requires useful substances 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 one's diet. The question of the drinking regime of a pregnant woman is also very important, since it is necessary to ensure a water balance that will not promote the formation of edema, and at the same time, it is necessary to prevent the development of early gestosis. After all, correct rehydration during vomiting of pregnant women is an important component of treatment and prevention of complications.

The question of the use of birch juice during pregnancy is widely discussed, since there are opinions according to which it is harmful. But to date, studying the composition of birch sap, you can say for sure that it is not harmful, just there are some features of its use.

The benefits of birch juice for pregnant women are due to its rich composition. In addition to a huge amount of fructose, glucose, birch juice contains mineral substances - potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium. These trace elements are kept in an accessible form and are easily digested when entering the gastrointestinal tract. Also in its composition there are 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 that is contained within the cell and ensures the normal operation of the cellular pumps. In case of disturbance of the water-electrolyte balance in pregnant women, the quantity of sodium increases, which, in the case of a lack of potassium, gets inside the cell and drags water behind it, which contributes to edema formation. If a deficiency of potassium replenishes in the body of a woman, then all processes fall into place and potassium takes its place inside the cell, which contributes to the release of sodium and water. Thus, the diuretic effect of birch sap is manifested, which is very important for the normalization of the water balance when the woman tends to swell. Therefore, birch sap with swelling during pregnancy is the number one remedy, taking into account, besides the pronounced diuretic effect, other useful properties of this product.

Magnesium is a mineral substance that ensures the transmission of a nerve impulse in the ganglia and promotes a pronounced soothing effect.

In addition to mineral substances, the composition of birch juice includes xylitol - a substance that has a pronounced cholagogic effect. It is used as a medicine for disorders of bile outflow in patients with cholelithiasis and other pathologies of the liver and bile ducts. Given the fact that pregnant women are often observed in the second half of late gestosis in the form of cholestasis, the intake of birch sap during pregnancy helps to restore the function of the bile duct and reduce the severity of clinical symptoms. When taking birch juice due to choleretic action, the degree of jaundice, itching decreases and the clinical parameters are normalized.

As for gestosis, the benefit of birch sap is also evident in this case. Early gestosis of pregnant women, which include nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation, can be leveled by the daily application of birch juice in a dose of at least three glasses per day. This is due to the pronounced diuretic properties, 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 pregnancy toxemia, are easily eliminated 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 the pressure when it decreases. Therefore, the beneficial properties of birch sap appear as a normalization of blood pressure.

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

These all useful properties of birch sap can be widely recommended to pregnant women, both in the first and second half of pregnancy, and in the postpartum period.

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Contraindications to the use of birch juice in pregnancy

The question of the benefits of birch juice during pregnancy began to be discussed not so long ago, as it was formerly said about the harm of this natural drink for expectant mothers. This was an erroneous opinion, because before that they did not yet know about the composition of the juice and its beneficial properties.

Do not forget that every medicine, even natural origin, is useful in moderation and under special circumstances. In this case, it must be said that birch sap can not be used in certain conditions. Contraindications to the use of birch juice during pregnancy are due to its effect on metabolism. These include:

  • allergic reactions in anamnesis in a pregnant woman on birch pollen. It should be noted that during pregnancy the body of a woman is more sensitive to different allergens, so when birch pollen allergies are allergenically contraindicated. As for other pollinoses, it is necessary to recommend with caution the birch sap, because during pregnancy, precisely because of the state of the immune system, allergies are possible.
  • cholelithiasis - a pronounced diuretic effect of birch juice in the presence of stones in the gallbladder can provoke hepatic colic.
  • in diabetes mellitus, 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, which are taken into account when recommending consumption of birch sap, in other cases it is necessary to individually evaluate the situation.

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

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