Tomato juice in pregnancy

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

Is it possible to have tomato juice during pregnancy?

This question is asked by many women, because it used to be often said that it is not advisable for a woman to eat tomato juice. This issue was seriously studied, and new, previously unknown facts were established. Previously, it was said that in tomato juice contains a large amount of salt and acid, which does not have a good effect on the kidneys, since it disturbs not only water-salt metabolism, but also has a negative effect on the secretory function of the kidneys.

Given all the studies of this issue in terms of consumption during pregnancy, you can accurately determine that tomato juice during pregnancy can be used 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 in pregnancy? This often happens in the first half of pregnancy, when the body of a woman adapts to a new alien organism. In the first sixteen weeks, not only the differentiation of body cells occurs, but also the active development and formation of a full placenta - the place where the child will develop the entire intrauterine period. In this period, such pathological conditions as nausea, vomiting, increased salivation are often observed. This all happens precisely because a new organ inside the uterus is being formed - the placenta, so the woman's immune system tries to protect herself from such influence by isolating all excess substances. Due to vomiting, women excrete salts and acidic contents of the stomach, which leads to a violation of the water-salt balance. That's 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 that are contained in tomatoes favorably affect intestinal motility and normalize the general condition of the gastrointestinal tract. That is, a woman after taking this juice gets relief, not only moral, but also functional. But it should be borne in mind that this is useful only in moderation and in the absence of contraindications.

Benefits of tomato juice in pregnancy

The benefits of tomato juice during pregnancy can say a lot, because it is primarily a natural product. Therefore, all the secrets of this product is in its composition, which is important to remember and correctly to take it. It is meant that tomato juice, like any other, must be used freshly and only fresh. The supermarket market offers a wide range of this product, but remember that the amount of preservatives and flavors that contain these "store" juices far exceeds the benefits of such a product, especially for a pregnant woman or a nursing mother. Therefore, you can easily make such a juice. To do this, take a few tomatoes, beforehand, wash them well, and grind them in a blender, then strain through a sieve. Another plus of this home-made juice is that you can add salt and a little pepper to your taste. In the case of such a juice, you can be completely sure of its composition and freshness, and therefore useful.

As for the composition of tomato juice, we can not fail to note the enormous content of vitamins in it. In the first place is vitamin A, or rather its predecessor - provitamin carotene. According to the content of this vitamin, tomato juice is on the second place after carrots. Vitamin A is necessary for a woman to replenish the reserves of her own vitamin, because during pregnancy all the reserves of the mother's organism are reduced. For a child, this vitamin is also necessary for the normal development of the neural tube, the organs of vision, and also the good function of the placenta, because vitamin A provides a normal differentiation of cells.

Of the other vitamins, which are rich in tomato juice, you need to isolate folic acid. Vitamin B ₉ is one of the main vitamins that provides growth and maturation of body cells, which are intensively divided. Since the fetus is growing all the time, for normal division of the cells of the epithelium, nervous system, blood cells - sufficient intake of folic acid is necessary, which provides tomato juice.

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

Tomato juice also has a positive local effect. This is due to the large number of pectins and dietary fiber in its composition. These substances contribute to the acceleration of intestinal motility, thus preventing the processes of fermentation 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, pregnancy often under the influence of prostaglandins decreases the secretion of gastric juice and bile, and this contributes to long digestion of food, fermentation and the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the form of gravity and other symptoms. Acids, which are contained in tomato juice, normalize all functions and avoid these problems. Thus, the use of tomato juice can prevent all problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

There is still much talk about the antioxidant abilities of tomato juice, that is, the ability to prevent the peroxidative oxidation of lipids, which is the prevention of the development of cancer.

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

This is not all useful properties of tomato juice for a pregnant woman, because many are not yet known and will be opened after a while thanks to new possibilities in medicine. But what is already known, enough to emphasize the need for this product for a pregnant woman.

Harm of tomato juice in pregnancy

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

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

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

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

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

Tomato juice during pregnancy can and should be consumed, 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, then it is unconditional. This is due to the rich vitamin composition, as well as the pronounced beneficial local action on digestion. But it is necessary to use it correctly - only in fresh form and own production, then all its benefits are preserved. It should be remembered and a moderate amount, because excessive fluid intake contributes to edema. It is necessary to use as much as possible the whole benefit of natural vitamins and microelements.