This article will tell you the side effects of almonds during pregnancy.

One of the most important gifts a woman bear is to be able to carry a child in their womb for 9 months and deliver safely. So a woman must take good care of herself and the unborn child.

There are many ways to do that, including; taking prenatal vitamins, exercising, and eating healthy food.

A baby grows inside your womb, sharing resources, food, and the nutrients you ingest.

Therefore, it is very important to know what you can eat or drink and what you cannot so that you deliver a healthy baby.

This brings us to our topic today on the side effects of almonds during pregnancy.

However, we shall first look into these nutritious nuts in depth.

Why Eat Almonds during Pregnancy

Almonds are a very rich source of nutrients for expectant moms as they contain protein, riboflavin, and magnesium.

In the early 2000s almonds caused food poisoning to a lot of people because they were contaminated by Salmonella.

So to decontaminate raw almonds in the recent market, they are steamed, blanched, roasted or propylene oxide is used on them before distribution.

Types of Almonds in the Market

1. Raw almonds- the almonds we consider raw in the market are not truly raw as they are pasteurized making them safe for pregnant women.
2. Roasted almonds- these are decontaminated through roasting making them safe for pregnant women.

They are also available in many flavors.

3. Almond butter- these almonds are consumed in form of a paste made from almonds and sugar.

It should be consumed moderately because of the sugar.

4. Almond flour for pregnant women- this flour is also safe to be consumed but it contains more moisture.

It should be stored in an air-tight container to avoid spillage.

Benefits of almonds for pregnant women

The following are the benefits of almonds;

1. They are a rich source of fatty acids and antimicrobial abilities
2. They also help reduce LDL and increase HDL which is beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease

Nutritional Benefits of Almonds for Pregnant Women

Almonds contain the following nutrients;

1. Vitamin E- helps protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals.
2. Calcium- it promotes strong bones both for you and your unborn child.

It also prevents the risks of colon cancer and kidney stones.

3. Magnesium- helps maintain and regulate functions concerning the heart, nerves, bones, and muscles.
4. Biotin- helps in glucose, amino acid, and fatty acid breakdown.
5. Fibre- it regulates body carbohydrates use. This keeps you fuller for longer.

It also helps prevent pregnancy bloating.

Side Effects of Almonds During Pregnancy

Some of the side effects of almonds during pregnancy include;

1. Digestive problem

Almonds can cause constipation, bloating, and an upset stomach.

This happens because almonds contain a lot of fiber and your stomach is not used to a lot of fiber. Eating too many almonds will give you digestive problems.

Constipation and bloating will affect the absorption of nutrients in the body hence too much of them is not good for pregnancy.

2. Vitamin E overdose

An almond has 25mg of Vitamin E. Your daily requirement of Vitamin E is 15mg.

Therefore, eating many almonds leads to too much of the vitamin, and it causes effects like diarrhea, weakness, and blurred vision.

A study conducted on a Korean diet shows the risks of Vitamin E overdose.

3. Weight gain

About 100g of almonds will provide you with 50g of fat.

This means that if you consume almonds a lot and do not move about to burn the calories, the weight gain comes in.

Pregnant women must be fit enough to ease childbirth and for safe delivery.

A study conducted in a weight reduction program concluded that almonds contribute a lot towards weight gain.

4. Diarrhoea

A single ounce of almond (28g) contains 3.5g of dietary fiber.

Overconsumption of fiber while pregnant can lead to diarrhea.

A study conducted showed that too much fiber increases your bowel movements.

5. Headaches

The overdose of Vitamin E in almonds leads to effects like headaches too.

6. Allergic reaction

Almonds, just like other nuts, could give you allergic reactions like swelling of the tongue, mouth, and lips.

A study in a research center shows that nuts can cause allergic reactions in people.

If you are allergic to nuts, please consult a doctor before consuming them.

7. Increased risk of premature delivery

You take in too much Vitamin E when you consume too many almonds at once.

An overdose of Vitamin E can increase the chances of birth defects like bleeding and heart defects in your unborn child.

A study conducted shows that almond oil increases the chances of premature deliveries.

8. Nausea

When you eat a lot of almonds, you will be overdosing on your Vitamin E.

Feeling nauseated is another effect that comes with too much vitamin E.

The feeling of sickness isn’t the best for expectant moms.

9. Bloating

Almonds naturally contain too much fiber. Taking too many of them only means that you will be taking too much fiber, leading to bloating and a bad digestive process.

10. Vomiting

This is also another side effect that comes up due to having too much Vitamin E from Almonds.

For pregnant women, you are more likely to vomit.

Reviews

Some of its positive reviews include;

1. They are a great source of vitamin E.
2. They promote strong bones.
3. Also, they are a good source of fiber.
4. They are great for digestion.

In addition to the side effects of almonds during pregnancy, other side effects include; Some of the negative reviews include;

1. They can cause bloating.
2. They can give you allergic reactions.
3. Moreover, they cause diarrhea if over-consumed.
4. They are a source of weight gain.

Conclusion

Almonds are in the group of nuts that are healthy to consume because of the nutrients in them like Vitamin E, Biotin, Magnesium, and Calcium.

They are a rich source of fatty acids and antimicrobial abilities, making them very beneficial to pregnant women.

However, it is very important to check the amount you consume to avoid the discussed side effects of almonds during pregnancy.

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