Tomato juice in pregnancy

Tomato juice during pregnancy is one of the topics that is discussed very widely, due to the difference of opinions about the harm or benefit of this product. In general, the issue of nutrition of a pregnant woman and a nursing mother is very important for the normal development and growth of the child. All products that a nursing mother eats affect the condition of the fetus and the composition of breast milk, so it is very important to approach the issue of the diet of a pregnant woman and mother responsibly. It is necessary that the food is high in calories, with a sufficient content of all nutrients and microelements. Vitamins are the basis for the normal structure of the organs and cells of the fetus. The only natural source of all vitamins are fruits and vegetables, as well as freshly squeezed juices. The central place among all extracts is occupied by tomato juice, due to its rich composition and availability.

Is it possible to drink tomato juice during pregnancy?

Many women ask this question, because earlier it was often said that it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to drink tomato juice. This issue began to be seriously studied, and new, previously unknown facts were established. Earlier it was said that tomato juice contains a large amount of salt and acid, which does not have a good effect on the kidneys, since it disrupts not only the water-salt metabolism, but also has a negative effect on the secretory function of the kidneys.

Considering all the research on this issue from the point of view of use during pregnancy, it can be determined that tomato juice can be consumed during pregnancy if there are no serious contraindications. The benefits of tomato juice and caution when using it will be discussed below.

Why do you want tomato juice during pregnancy? This often happens in the first half of pregnancy, when the woman's body adapts to a new foreign organism. In the first sixteen weeks, not only the differentiation of the body's cells occurs, but also the active development and formation of a full-fledged placenta - the place where the child will develop throughout the intrauterine period. During this period, such pathological conditions as nausea, vomiting, and increased salivation are often observed. All this happens precisely because a new organ is formed inside the uterus - the placenta, so the woman's immune system tries to protect itself from such influence by releasing all unnecessary substances. As a result of vomiting, salts and acidic contents of the stomach are released from the woman's body, which leads to a violation of the water-salt balance. That is why a woman wants tomato juice during pregnancy - because it perfectly quenches thirst, does not contain glucose, has all the necessary salts and acid, which must be restored for acid-base balance. In addition, pectins contained in tomatoes have a beneficial effect on intestinal motility and normalize the general condition of the gastrointestinal tract. That is, after taking this juice, a woman receives relief not only morally, but also functionally. But it should be taken into account that this is useful only in moderation and in the absence of contraindications.

Benefits of Tomato Juice During Pregnancy

There is much to say about the benefits of tomato juice during pregnancy, because it is primarily a natural product. Therefore, all the secrets of this product are in its composition, which is important to remember and take it correctly. It means that tomato juice, like any other, must be used freshly squeezed and only fresh. The supermarket market offers a wide range of this product, but it should be remembered that the amount of preservatives and flavors that these "store" juices contain far exceeds the benefits of such a product, especially for a pregnant woman or nursing mother. Therefore, you can easily prepare such juice yourself. To do this, take several tomatoes, wash them well beforehand, and chop them in a blender, then strain through a sieve. Another advantage of such homemade juice is that you can add salt and a little pepper to your taste. In the case of taking such juice, you can be completely confident in its composition and freshness, and therefore its benefits.

As for the composition of tomato juice, it is impossible not to note the huge content of vitamins in it. In first place is vitamin A, or rather its predecessor - provitamin carotene. In terms of the content of this vitamin, tomato juice is in second place after carrots. Vitamin A is necessary for a woman to replenish her own vitamin reserves, since during pregnancy all reserves of the mother's body are reduced. For a child, this vitamin is also necessary for the normal development of the neural tube, organs of vision, as well as good function of the placenta, because vitamin A ensures normal differentiation of cells.

Of the other vitamins that tomato juice is rich in, it is necessary to highlight folic acid. Vitamin B ₉ is one of the main vitamins that ensures the growth and maturation of the body's cells, which are dividing intensively. Since the fetus is constantly growing, then for the normal division of epithelial cells, the nervous system, blood cells - a sufficient supply of folic acid is necessary, which is provided by tomato juice.

They also talk about the ability of tomato juice to induce the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain of a pregnant woman. Such substances include serotonin, which is known to be the hormone of joy, therefore, scientists prove that regular consumption of tomato juice in moderate quantities increases the overall tone of the nervous system and protects a pregnant woman from stress.

Tomato juice also has a positive local effect. This is due to the large amount of pectin and dietary fiber in its composition. These substances help to accelerate intestinal motility, thus preventing fermentation processes and the formation of pathological organisms. Also, the increased level of acids in tomato juice stimulates the production of gastric juice. As is known, in women during pregnancy, under the influence of prostaglandins, the secretion of gastric juice and bile often decreases, and this contributes to prolonged digestion of food, fermentation and the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the form of heaviness and other symptoms. Acids contained in tomato juice normalize all functions and help to avoid these problems. Thus, drinking tomato juice can prevent all problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

There is also much talk about the antioxidant properties of tomato juice, that is, the ability to prevent lipid peroxidation, which is a preventative measure against the development of cancer.

It is also important that tomato juice, due to its content of vitamin C and other active substances, affects blood vessels and prevents the development of varicose veins and thrombotic complications.

These are not all the beneficial properties of tomato juice for a pregnant woman, because many are not yet known and will be discovered after some time thanks to new opportunities in medicine. But what is already known is enough to emphasize the need for a pregnant woman to use this product.

Harm of tomato juice during pregnancy

The benefits of tomato juice during pregnancy have already been emphasized above, but if there is another life in the woman's body, then all such facts must be treated with caution. As for tomato juice, there are conditions when it should be taken with caution.

When a woman had any problems with the gastrointestinal tract before pregnancy, such as acute cholecystitis, acute or chronic pancreatitis, peptic ulcer or gastritis, all these conditions worsen during pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to use tomato juice with caution. After all, the irritating effect of the acid on the mucous membrane increases, which can cause exacerbation of the disease.

Harm from tomato juice during pregnancy can also be observed in kidney pathology. After all, the increased content of salts and acid can disrupt the normal functioning of the nephron, especially in women who are predisposed to kidney disease. As for possible pathologies, the development of kidney stones is often associated with the use of tomato juice.

It is necessary to separately note the possible harm of tomato juice in pregnant women who have a complicated allergological anamnesis. If a woman is allergic to "red" products, then tomato juice is naturally contraindicated. If there is any other allergy, then it should be consumed with caution, since during pregnancy, products that a woman freely consumed can become allergens.

These are the main conditions when we can talk not even about the harm of the product, but about the precautions for its use, since in general it is useful for a pregnant woman.

Tomato juice can and should be consumed during pregnancy, but it is necessary to take into account those conditions when it should be taken with caution. In general, if we talk about the benefits of tomato juice during pregnancy, it is unconditional. This is due to the rich vitamin composition, as well as the pronounced beneficial local effect on digestion. But it is necessary to use it correctly - only fresh and home-made, then all its benefits are preserved. It is also necessary to remember about moderate amounts, because excessive fluid intake contributes to edema. It is necessary to use all the benefits of natural vitamins and microelements as much as possible.