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Eating Goji berries during pregnancy can be beneficial for maternal health as well as the baby. These juicy fruits are known for their medicinal value while offering several vital nutrients. Consuming these berries in moderate quantities may help address general pregnancy-related problems such as constipation and morning sickness. However, eating the berries in excess may cause side effects for the mother and baby. Read on to learn about the safe consumption of Goji berries while pregnant, including its benefits and side effects.
Key Pointers
- Pregnant women can consume Goji berries but not in excess.
- Consume Goji berries only after talking to a doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or are on anticoagulants during pregnancy.
- Goji berries help with morning sickness and fetal growth, reduce cholesterol, increase hemoglobin, cure constipation, and promote better sleep.
- Excessive consumption can lead to allergies and adverse effects such as congenital disabilities or pregnancy loss (rarely).
What Is A Goji Berry?
Goji berries, also widely popular as wolfberries, are juicy oblong dark red or orange berries. They grow on the Goji tree, which is around three meters high. Goji berries are native to China and taste somewhere from bitter to sweet. Several parts of Goji tree, such as roots, leaves, bark, berries, and other parts, offer several medicinal and health benefits. So, you may enjoy eating Goji berries while pregnant to ensure a healthy pregnancy (1). Goji berries are also used as herbal remedies in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Is It Safe To Eat Goji Berries During Pregnancy?
Yes, you can enjoy eating juicy Goji berries while you are expecting. In fact, loaded with carotenoids, vitamins (riboflavin, thiamin, and ascorbic acid), flavonoids, and amino acids, Goji berry is popular as a superfruit in North America and European countries for its several health-promoting properties (2). An animal study on Goji supplementation for rabbits showed improved fertility, balanced hormonal activity, and milk production (3). There are no extensive studies on its effects on human pregnancy. However, given its nutrient profile, it could benefit both the mother and the developing fetus (4). However, you need to watch how many Goji berries you eat, as excess can harm your pregnancy. Consult your doctor before having Goji berries if you have high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, diabetes, or are on anticoagulants.
Be watchfulHealth Benefits Of Goji Berries During Pregnancy
The antioxidant and nutrient content in Goji berries gives you and your unborn baby several health benefits during pregnancy (4). Find below some common Goji berry benefits in pregnancy (5).
1. Treats morning sickness
Eating Goji berries during pregnancy helps you treat malaise and morning sickness effectively. So, you can eat a few of the berries every day to alleviate the discomfort during pregnancy.
2. Supports prenatal development of the fetus
Your body tends to undergo several changes during pregnancy altering your endocrine and digestive system. So, you need lots of minerals and prenatal vitamins to promote the prenatal development of your unborn baby. Goji berries contain lots of vitamins, like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and minerals like magnesium (2), that help in the appropriate growth and development of your fetus and help you enjoy a healthy pregnancy. Also, the antioxidant content of the fruit protects you and your fetus from cell damage.
3. Reduces cholesterol
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) states that during pregnancy, there can be an estimated 25 to 50% increase in the cholesterol levels of a woman (6). Goji berries help minimize cholesterol levels in your blood (4). Thus, the fruit can help manage cholesterol in pregnant women and eliminate toxins and other harmful substances from your body that otherwise may prove harmful to your health during pregnancy.
4. Boosts hemoglobin
Goji berries contain good amounts of iron, i.e., about 6.8mg of iron per 100gm of the fruit (7) (8). So eating the iron-rich berries during pregnancy will help you prevent iron deficiency and boost your hemoglobin count. Good hemoglobin count in pregnancy will prevent the risk of anemia and its harmful effects such as fatigue and dizziness.
5. Cures constipation
Goji berries are rich in dietary fibers, containing about 13gm of total dietary fiber for each 100g of the fruit (7). Thus, Goji berries can act as a natural laxative and its consumption may help improve overall gastrointestinal function and relieve constipation during pregnancy (5).
6. Promotes sound sleep
One of the traditional Chinese uses of Goji berry is to induce sound sleep and minimize stress. So, eating nutritious fruit during pregnancy can help you have a sound sleep and minimize your stress (5).
7. Improves Mood
A study showed that regular consumption of Goji berries for 13 days significantly led to improved mood and energy levels (9). Since hormonal and emotional changes in pregnancy can lead to anxiety and mood swings, consuming Goji berries might help uplift their mood and reduce stress.
8. Strengthen Immune System
Goji berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which are known to boost immunity and fight infections (2). Thus, it can help prevent infections and diseases in pregnant women with stronger immune function.
9. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Pregnant women are at risk of developing gestational levels. However, Goji berries possess antidiabetic properties (10). Therefore, whether you have pre-existing diabetes or have developed gestational diabetes, consuming Goki berries can help regulate insulin and glucose levels in the blood.
Some other health benefits of Goji berries include skin protection from UV rays, preventing liver disease, improving vision, reducing cancer risk, and maintaining weight (5).
Side Effects Of Eating Goji Berries During Pregnancy
Although there are several health benefits of eating Goji berries during pregnancy, an excess of consumption of the berries can endanger your pregnancy. Here, we list some common side effects of eating an excess of Goji berries while expecting.
1. Birth defects
High amounts of selenium present in Goji berries can lead to birth defects in your fetus (2) (11). So, you should eat the fruit in moderation while pregnant.
2. Miscarriage
Goji berries contain betaine, an organic nitrogenous substance (2), which can lead to uterine contractions that can eventually cause miscarriage.
Point to considerFrequently Asked Questions
1. Can Goji berries help with fertility?
Goji berries contain potent antioxidants and are widely believed to promote sexual wellness and fertility (8). However, more scientific studies are needed to prove its efficacy in humans.
2. Do Goji berries balance hormones?
Goji berries are rich in potassium and various amino acids, essential in regulating hormone production. According to a study, Goji berries might benefit hormonal profiles (3). However, more studies are warranted to validate these findings.
3. How much caffeine is in Goji berries?
Goji berries do not naturally contain caffeine. However, Goji berry tea, made with a mix of Goji berries and tea leaves, contains caffeine.
4. What are the recommended servings of Goji berries and alternatives?
There is no strict recommendation on how much Goji berries should be consumed daily. However, a study suggests that 15 g of goji berries per day is considered beneficial (2). Additionally, due to its potency in causing miscarriage, it is recommended that Goji berries be eaten in small amounts. Alternatively, you can opt for other similar fruits, such as prunes, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and cherries, that are safer for pregnant women.
Goji berries are nutritious fruits that are abundant in antioxidants and thus a helpful fruit for the immune system. Their dynamic nutritional profile makes them a superfood that can impart several health benefits with regular consumption. Most healthy expecting mothers can safely consume Goji berries during pregnancy. Eating Goji berries during pregnancy in moderation may help relieve morning sickness and support fetal development. However, excessive consumption may have adverse effects, especially when a mother has high blood pressure or takes anticoagulants. Consult a doctor before incorporating them into your diet, especially if you have known health conditions.
Infographic: Benefits Of Goji Berry During Pregnancy
Goji berry has been consumed extensively by Tibetans and Chinese over the centuries as a traditional medicinal herb. Recently, studies have found numerous potential beneficial effects of these berries on the general well-being of people and on the prevention and treatment of several conditions. Here are some key benefits of this superfood for expecting mothers.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Is It Safe To Eat Goji Berries During Pregnancy?
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
References
- Goji.
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1025.html - Zheng Feei Ma et al.; (2019); Goji Berries as a Potential Natural Antioxidant Medicine: An Insight into Their Molecular Mechanisms of Action.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6343173/ - Egon Andoni et al.; (2021); Effect of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) Supplementation on Reproductive Performance of Rabbit Does.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8227310/ - Bojana B Vidović et al.; (2022); Health Benefits and Applications of Goji Berries in Functional Food Products Development: A Review.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8868247/ - Wenli Sun et al.; (2019); Therapeutic Roles of Goji Berry and Ginseng in Traditional Chinese.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336913902_Therapeutic_Roles_of_Goji_Berry_and_Ginseng_in_Traditional_Chinese/fulltext/609a77eca6fdccaebd213b26/Therapeutic-Roles-of-Goji-Berry-and-Ginseng-in-Traditional-Chinese.pdf - Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Pregnancy.
https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2018/05/10/13/51/Familial-Hypercholesterolemia-and-Pregnancy - Goji berries dried.
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/173032/nutrients - Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian et al.; (2019); A Review of Three Ancient Chinese Herbs Goji Berry Ginger and Ginseng in Pharmacological and Modern Science.
https://uludag.edu.tr/dosyalar/jbes/39/mak07.pdf - Harunobu Amagase and Dwight M Nance; (2008); A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice GoChi.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18447631/ - Huizhen Cai et al.; (2015); Practical Application of Antidiabetic Efficacy of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4475782/ - Yixiong Guo et al.; (2019); High maternal selenium levels are associated with increased risk of congenital heart defects in the offspring.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31461777/
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