Chilli peppers in pregnancy: is it bad for the baby?
Can pepper be eaten when pregnant or is it better to avoid it? Are Spicy Foods Bad For Babies? And to mom? Here are all the answers and some curiosities about the risks and benefits of pregnant pepper.
One of the major concerns, when expecting a child, is to know which foods are allowed and forbidden while pregnant , to protect the health of your child.
In particular, many women wonder if it is safe to consume chili peppers during pregnancy and, more generally, all spicy foods . Some ask themselves this question because they are already used to eating particularly spicy and tasty dishes. Others, on the other hand, begin to experience an irresistible desire for spiciness while pregnant: these are the very famous cravings during pregnancy , which seem to have mainly a hormonal origin.
In both cases, the question is the same: can you eat spicy while you are pregnant or not?
Spicy during pregnancy: yes but in moderation!
Eating spicy food while pregnant is not dangerous for the baby. If mom doesn’t suffer from particular ailments, such as heartburn or hemorrhoids , there’s no reason to eliminate them from the diet, especially if you’re used to consuming them often. As with many other foods, however, it’s important to avoid overdoing it .
The benefits of chilli during pregnancy
If consumed in moderation , in addition to not being harmful to the baby, chili peppers are able to produce many beneficial effects on the expectant mother:
- it has an energizing action which increases the sense of general well – being ;
- improves blood circulation ;
- promotes digestion ;
- relieves muscle pain ;
- lowers bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
Some women may also find that eating spicy foods stimulates the baby’s movements .
In addition, it is important to remember that the taste of the food consumed by the expectant mother passes into the amniotic fluid and that the fetus begins to perceive it starting from the 15th week . But there’s more: research has shown that the baby, after birth, may show a preference for the flavors to which it was frequently exposed in the womb.
This means that a varied and balanced diet allows the future baby to experience different flavors already in the mother’s tummy and could encourage his tastes towards a healthier diet.
Chili pepper during pregnancy: when is it better to avoid?
Consumption of hot spices such as chilli , pepper , curry or paprika has no adverse effects on the fetus.
However, especially if in excessive doses , these condiments can cause or accentuate some typical ailments of sweet expectation , such as:
- stomach ache
- nausea
- vomit
- intestinal problems (bloating, flatulence, diarrhea)
- hemorrhoids
In case of symptoms of this type, therefore, it is better to eliminate spicy foods from the diet : after all, it is only a matter of a few months!
If you experience nausea or heartburn from overspice, remember that some medicines commonly used to treat these ailments are not considered safe during pregnancy. For this reason, before taking any drug (even over the counter) while pregnant, always consult your trusted doctor.
Desire for spicy during pregnancy: male or female?
There is a widespread belief that the desire for spicy food would indicate that the mother is expecting a boy . Conversely, a greater desire for sweets is associated with the probable arrival of a girl .
Needless to say, this is just a false myth , with no scientific basis.
Is it true that eating spicy can help kickstart labor?
A 2011 study on natural methods of initiating labor noted that about 11% of the women studied ate spicy foods to help initiate contractions.
Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that this method works.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.