Chia seeds and their extracts have become very popular in recent times and are widely consumed all over the world, due to their many health benefits that have been proven by studies and research, and many women are wondering about Benefits of chia seeds for pregnant women To learn about it, follow the following article.

Benefits of chia seeds for the body

Chia is an edible seed that is extracted from the chia plant or Spanish sage that is grown in the Mexican desert. The word chia means “strength” and has been used by the locals for thousands of years to give strength to the body. Chia seeds contain omega-3s, carbohydrates, natural fiber, protein, antioxidants and calcium. And the equivalent of 30 grams of chia seeds contains:

• 131 calories.
• 95 grams of magnesium.
• 1.3 grams of zinc.
• 8.4 grams of fat.
• 13.07 grams of carbohydrates.
• 11.2 grams of natural fiber.
• 5.6 grams of protein.

Benefits of chia seeds for pregnant women

Some pregnant women are afraid of eating chia seeds as harmful to pregnancy or breastfeeding, and scientific research conducted by researchers on these seeds indicates that eating chia seeds in small amounts is safe for pregnant women, as they have many benefits and contain essential nutrients for the fetus:

constipation treatment

Constipation is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy among women, as it occurs due to the high level of pregnancy hormone in the body, and it occurs on a daily basis. However, because chia seeds contain natural fibers, they help facilitate and speed up bowel movements, in addition to treating hemorrhoids.

Fighting anemia

It is common to suffer from anemia during pregnancy due to the increased needs of the body of iron and folic acid to support the growth of the fetus and carry oxygen through the blood cells, so experts recommend eating chia because it contains large amounts of iron.

Strengthen the bones

Doctors everywhere advise pregnant women to eat food rich in calcium and add it to the diet, because it strengthens the bones and teeth of the mother and fetus, and chia can be added to milk to double the daily amount of calcium.

Controlling blood sugar levels

The change of hormones in the body during pregnancy may in some cases lead to a change in the rate of sugar in the blood, which, if not controlled, leads to gestational diabetes, which affects both the mother and the fetus and increases the chances of the fetus suffering deformities or miscarriage, and by adding chia seeds to Diet, it helps control blood sugar levels, and the natural fibers in it contribute to slowing down the body’s absorption of sugar.

A source of protein

Chia seeds contain protein, which is the main component that the body needs to support the development of the main organs of the fetus, including the brain. These seeds also help you feel full for a longer time, which reduces the chance of eating foods that contain unnecessary calories.

How to add chia seeds to your diet

There are many recipes that use chia seeds as a main ingredient, such as sandwiches or cakes, while most add a little bit of the seeds to foods as part of the ingredients, such as:

• Breakfast chips.
• yogurt.
• the rice.
• baked goods.

Side effects of chia seeds for pregnant women

Eating chia seeds in excess and adding it to every meal is not healthy at all, as it may cause side effects and even reverse its benefits, such as:

• Diarrhea, bloating or constipation.
• Infection with blood fluidity.
• There may be an interaction between its effect and some medicines.

After getting acquainted Benefits of chia seeds for pregnant women We advise you to add it to your diet, but in moderation and without excess, and to consult a doctor before starting to take it in case of any pregnancy problems, as it contains some elements that conflict with certain medications, and we wish you a smooth delivery and a quick recovery.