Myths abound about the use of basil during pregnancy. Some people mistakenly believe that eating this herb may cause contractions, making it unsafe for your diet during pregnancy. No scientific evidence exists to confirm this finding; in fact, a 1985 animal study published in the German journal "Arzneimittel-Forschung" found basil relaxed some muscles. Consuming basil during this time is safe as it supplements your diet with health nutrients for you and your fetus.
Vitamin K
A 1/4-cup serving of fresh basil leaves contains 24.9 mcg of vitamin K. This is a significant portion of the 90 mcg you need each day if you are pregnant. Getting enough vitamin K during the nine months you are pregnant plays a critical role in your health and safety as the amount of blood in your body becomes much greater during this period, and the vitamin K in your diet keeps your blood clotting as it should. Additionally, babies who do not get enough vitamin K in utero -- a rare occurrence -- may bruise easily or bleed from the umbilical stump, nose and mouth.
Vitamin A
Include a 1/4-cup portion of basil in your meal plan and you take in 316 IU of vitamin A. You need much more than this in a day -- 2,565 IU -- and you can boost the amount you consume by serving basil with vitamin A-rich foods such as sweet potatoes, butternut squash and eggs. The vitamin A in basil and other foods help your fetus grow, contributing toward the development of fetal lungs, bones, heart, eyes and central nervous system. Flavoring your meals with basil at the end of your pregnancy may help you feel better after you give birth. The Baby Center website reports that vitamin A promotes tissue repair post-birth.
Manganese
One serving of fresh basil provides 0.07 mg of manganese. Pregnant women require 2 mg per day. Help meet your daily manganese needs by pairing basil with brown rice, black beans or whole grain pasta. The manganese you take in from basil promotes the formation of fetal cartilage and bones, and it also acts as an antioxidant that can ward off cellular damage.
Folate
Folate and pregnancy go hand-in-hand, and you do get a small amount in a serving of basil -- 4 mcg. Women should consume 400 mcg of folate each day whether pregnant or not pregnant. The folate in your diet helps your body manufacture the additional blood you and your fetus need during this period, and it also works to prevent certain birth defects.
References
- Baby Center; Is It Harmful to Eat Fresh Basil While Pregnant?; May 2008
- "Arzneimittel-Forschung"; Relaxant Effects on Tracheal and Ileal Smooth Muscles of the Guinea Pig; M. Reiter, et al.; 1985
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Basil, Fresh
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin K; June 2009
- KidsHealth From Nemours; Staying Healthy During Pregnancy; L. Hirsch, M.D.; October 2008
- Baby Centre; Vitamin K; March 2011
