Grapefruit in pregnancy

Let's look at the topic of "grapefruit in pregnancy" in terms of ubiquitous advice to all pregnant women: there is more fruit to avoid vitamin deficiency.

To maximize the convincing answer to the question - is it possible to have grapefruit during pregnancy? - we will remind, what is this fruit, and, as they say, "with what it eat" ...

Grapefruit is Citrus Paradisi, that is, "paradise citrus". Although, due to the presence of glycogenide naringenin, the taste of this fruit is slightly bitter. Moreover, it is a hybrid, and its ancestors are two other citrus - orange and pomelo (pompelmus). And the birthplace of the grapefruit is the island of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea.

[1], [2]

Benefits of grapefruit in pregnancy

Considering that in 100 g of pulp of pink grapefruit almost 34 mg of vitamin C, then 200 g is almost 90% of the daily norm of this vitamin. So the benefits of grapefruit in pregnancy is obvious.

In addition, the same 100 grams of grapefruit contains other necessary vitamins: thiamine (B1) - 0.037 mg; riboflavin (B2) - 0.02 mg; pantothenic acid (B5) - 0.28 mg; pyridoxine (B6) 0.04 mg; folic acid (B9) - 10 mcg; Choline (B4) - 7.7 mg; tocopherol (E) - 0.13 mg; nicotinamide (PP) - 0.27 mg, as well as carotenoids.

And if all the future mothers know about the importance of vitamin B9 (folic acid), then, for example, not everyone knows about vitamin B4. And it's vain, because the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which carries out the neuromuscular transmission, is synthesized precisely from choline. Moreover, vitamin B4 positively influences the metabolism of carbohydrates and regulates the body's content of the pancreas hormone insulin, and in the liver it controls the lipid metabolism. Without this vitamin, the liver accumulates an excess of fat.

Another positive aspect of the grapefruit is the presence in its biochemical "record" of vitamin B8 or a vitamin-like substance of inositol. Vitamin B8 promotes the full functioning of brain cells, the cornea and the lens of the eye; helps maintain the strength of the vascular walls and the normal level of cholesterol in the blood. Experts say that inositol contributes to the prevention of inflammation of the veins and the formation of thrombi, that is, thrombophlebitis. Therefore, grapefruit during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester would be very useful for a future mother.

Grapefruits with pink and red pulp contain the antioxidant lycopene, which reduces cholesterol. Grapefruit, especially in red flesh, is recommended to use to improve the general tone of the body and relieve fatigue. But it should be borne in mind that it increases the appetite and acidity of gastric juice.

The use of grapefruit in pregnancy is also in those macro- and microelements that this Barbadian native is rich in. In grapefruit there is calcium (9-12 mg ha 100 g of fruit), iron (0.06-0.2 mg), magnesium (9-12 mg), manganese (0.013 mg), phosphorus (8-15 mg), sodium (1 mg), potassium (148-160 mg), zinc (0.05-0.07 mg).

Have you noticed how much in a grapefruit potassium? A potassium, as is known, provides a normal water-salt metabolism in the body and prevents the formation of edema.

[3]

Harm to grapefruit during pregnancy

And now it's time to figure out what could be the harm of grapefruit during pregnancy. Grapefruit contains some polyphenolic compounds, including flavanone naringin and furanocoumarins - bergamotte and dihydroxyberhamotine.

These biologically active substances behave quite aggressively in relation to the enzyme system of the body. They block one of the varieties of intestinal and hepatic enzymes - cytochrome CYP3A4 from the family of hematoproteins. This enzyme, located in the small intestine and liver, ensures the metabolism of human medicines, biological transformation and the synthesis of cholesterol and certain steroids.

With regard to drugs, by inactivating the enzyme, grapefruit increases their bioavailability, that is, the strength of action - up to a state similar to the overdose effect, often with gastrointestinal bleeding and liver damage. The researchers identified 85 drugs with which grapefruit (and its juice) come into conflict. Moreover, inhibition of the enzyme CYP3A4 lasts a considerable period of time: in a day its activity is restored by 50%, and only after three days this enzyme resumes its functions in full.

And now let's return to the synthesis of cholesterol and steroidogenesis, the products of which are hormones: testosterone, estrogens, progesterone, corticoids, etc. During the study of the action of polyphenols in grapeprut, bergamotin also suppressed the activity of the enzymes CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP2E1 in subcellular fraction (microsomes) of the human liver. But it is here that the first stage of biotransformation of not only xenobiotics begins, but also endogenous compounds, including extra sex hormones ...

It turns out that the harm of grapefruit during pregnancy is that the substances in it can temporarily disrupt the metabolism of hormones and thereby have a negative impact on the complex "hormonal environment" characteristic of the female body during the period of gestation.

So, is it possible to consume grapefruit during pregnancy or not? Probably, little by little and occasionally you can. But only if there were no problems with conception (that is, with the level of hormones), if the normal acidity of gastric juice, if you do not take any medications and if ... Not scary.