Can You Eat Grapes While Pregnant?
Pregnancy is such an interesting time in life. Of course, the idea of growing a human body inside your own is a marvel in and of itself. Yet the changes your body goes through, how it ebbs and flows, and how early pregnancy symptoms begin to arise are all fascinating to observe.
For example, food aversions and cravings seem to take on a life of their own (via Mayo Clinic). Though you may feel nausea and experience vomiting, morning sickness typically lessens in the second trimester (via Cleveland Clinic). That's when cravings come out in full force. You may find yourself obsessing over foods you've never eaten before or dying for foods you naturally love.
Though you may have the stereotypical hankering for odd combinations like pickles and ice cream, you may simply crave citrus and other fruit. But are grapes safe to eat when you're pregnant?
Why grapes have been mistakenly labeled as harmful during pregnancy
There has been a misconception about consuming grapes while you're pregnant. In their natural form, grapes contain a small amount of a plant substance known as resveratrol.
Resveratrol acts like an antioxidant in the body and supplies many benefits. According to Healthline, it aids in lowering blood pressure, boosts brain activity, and increases insulin sensitivity. Resveratrol is also found in red wine, berries, and peanuts. In small amounts, the resveratrol found in plants, like grapes, is a wonderful addition to the diet and helps both mom and baby.
However, resveratrol is also available in supplement form. If taken in high doses when pregnant, it has the potential to affect the development of a baby's liver in utero (via Verywell Family). But the resveratrol found in supplements is concentrated and can't be replicated simply by eating grapes.
Grapes provide a wealth of nutrients
Grapes are quite nutritious. They have been known to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in addition to supplying nutrients that have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties (via Healthline).
Grapes contain a wealth of B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, and B6. B vitamins are essential for prenatal growth and development (via BabyCenter). In your body, they turn carbohydrates into energy while also helping the nervous system, muscles, and heart work optimally. In your developing baby, thiamine is necessary to ensure proper brain development.
Another reason to eat grapes is that they're versatile. They can be crushed into juice, formed into jams and jellies, or simply eaten right off the vine. They're also easy to take with you for a quick and healthy snack. Just throw some in a baggy, and you're good to go if any blood sugar dips should occur.