✓ Spices in pregnancy: are they dangerous? Some should be avoided?

Source: Shutterstock

Spices in pregnancy

Digestive, antiseptic, curative. Beyond the common characteristics, each spice is a little different from the other. Some can be used safely during pregnancy, others require caution. However, side or harmful effects occur for rather high doses, which are difficult to achieve by adding a pinch of spice to dishes. More concentrated doses, on the other hand, may be present in supplements or in some herbal teas o essential oils. We deepen the subject with two specialists ofSaint Pius X Humanitas, Dr. Marinella Dell'Avanzo, gynecologist, and Dr. Francesca Albani, dietician.

Nutrition during pregnancy

"A'adequate nutrition in pregnancy it is essential for the good health of the mother and the child - introduces Dr. Dell'Avanzo -. It is therefore important to pay attention to nutrition already before conception, until the baby is breastfed. There are foods from to prefer, as

fresh products,
meats,
fish,
fruit
and seasonal vegetables,
milk,
cheese
and low-fat yogurt.

Foods to limit which

coffee,
sugars,
salt and fat

e foods to avoid as the alcoholic beverages".

Read also: Nutrition during pregnancy: the foods to avoid

Spices in pregnancy: which to choose and which to avoid

"In general, spices can be taken during pregnancy to flavor dishes, provided that the quantities are not exaggerated. There are spices that fight nausea, such as ginger, or that promote digestion, such as curry; in general, they are an excellent substitute for salt and sometimes act as disinfectants and antiseptics. Used correctly and in the right quantities, they can protect the future mother and the unborn child from hypertensive risk and retention.

"Spicy spices such as pepper and chilli should not be used in women suffering from gastric disorders or hemorrhoids as they could accentuate the ailments. It is best to avoid coriander and parsley: in rare cases they could cause an abortion. Nutmeg has a power toxic and, if taken in excessive quantities, it can cause hallucinations and convulsions. Finally, anise should not be taken because it is rich in estrogen ".

Chilli and pepper
Dr. Albani now enters into the merits of the individual spices: "La piperine contained in the pepper has an action irritating on the mucous membranes of the stomach - he explains -. It is advisable to avoid its use if heartburn occurs during pregnancy. The Chili pepper has many beneficial properties: it stimulates the blood circulation, has properties antibacterial, is rich in Vitamin C. Furthermore, in the intestine, it performs an action antifermentative. Compared to pepper, the action of chilli is less aggressive towards the stomach walls, of course if we are talking about contained doses. For those suffering from hemorrhoids, a frequent condition in pregnancy, can however produce heartburn at the time of evacuation ".
Turmeric
"Turmeric is rich in antioxidants: has an action inflammatory e antimicrobial and is useful against the digestive difficulty and the training of intestinal gas. However, among the contraindications, due to its strong effect anticoagulant, could induce uterine bleeding or interfere with the intake of anticoagulant drugs. Better to avoid it also if you suffer from gastric disorders and acidity ".
Parsley
"It has several properties, including a good deed diuretics e digestive, and help on intestinal motility. Thanks to the vitamin content it is antioxidant e immunostimulatory and, last but not least, remineralizing. However he is not recommended in pregnancy given the abortive property. In fact, parsley stimulates uterine contractions and bleeding. It is certainly not a few leaves of parsley added to dishes that create problems, we naturally speak of large doses or concentrated doses ".
Coriander
"Coriander is a good natural remedy against abdominal colic, digestive difficulties and bloating. It also has an effect fungicide e antibacterial. However studies are lacking about its consumption during pregnancy and lactation therefore, for prevention, high consumption is not recommended. At high doses it is known to cause nervous or gastrointestinal disturbances. "
Ginger
"It is mainly used in the field digestive: it is among the most effective medicines antinausea e antivertigo. It is therefore an excellent natural remedy for nausea during pregnancy.In traditional oriental medicine it is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, flu, as a stimulant of the heart and as a protective of the gastric mucosa. However, one is recommended limited consumption because an excess can cause gastritis and ulcers, as well as bleeding disorders. Furthermore, it is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding if you are taking blood thinning medications due to the fluidifying effect ".
Anise
"The seeds are used in various traditional medicines to counter intestinal disorders such as swelling, flatulence and irritability. Essential oil is used for its properties antiseptics, antispasmodic and carminative. Although many recommend the use of anise in pregnancy to combat the nausea in the morning, it is shared opinion that it is better limit them employment due to the presence of some components (anethole) with activity similar to estrogen".
nutmeg
"It can be used but with caution, because it contains myristin, an essential oil that if consumed in excessive doses can cause migraines, nausea e cramps. In several traditional medicines it is used as antifungal, antidepressant, aphrodisiac and digestive. It also has properties antioxidants. When consumed in very high doses, it can have a hallucinogenic effect. It can also cause difficulty concentrating, increased sweating, palpitations, migraines ".
Cinnamon
"It helps to improve the digestion, adjust the levels of XNUMX/XNUMX cup sugar in the blood and improves circulation; it also prevents bacterial and viral proliferation e decreases pains, especially those due to arthritis and menstruation. Generally a moderate consumption of cinnamon is suitable for everyone but as always there are exceptions; best avoided for example if you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease or liver disease. Pregnant, can be added to food and drinks, but it must not be used in its pure form (powder or stick). And then aromatherapy not recommended cinnamon during pregnancy because volatile agents can cause anxiety and active movement of the fetus. "