Pregnancy and conception is a topic that is surrounded by myth and anecdotal evidence. Many women swear by drinking lemon juice to reduce the effects of morning sickness, while others avoid it because of the resulting heartburn. Drinking lemon juice can help some women during pregnancy, while causing discomfort in others. Always consult your physician before you add new foods or beverages to your diet during pregnancy.
Nutrition Facts
Lemon juice has 4 calories per tablespoon, making it a low-calorie flavor-enhancer. The biggest benefit from lemon juice, however, is its high concentration of vitamin C. Just 1 tbsp. of lemon juice delivers 7 mg of vitamin C, which is approximately 8 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C during pregnancy. Vitamin C is important for you during your pregnancy not only because it aids tissue repair and helps you ward off illness, but also because it helps your baby develop collagen and cartilage, as well as assists mental development.
Lemon Juice and Morning Sickness
One tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with water may help calm your morning sickness. Lemon has a fresh, pleasant smell and taste that is easily tolerated by most pregnant women. In addition, the taste and smell is strong enough to overcome many other unpleasant odors and tastes. As a result, drinking lemon juice mixed with water may be helpful if you find that you are easily offended by other scents or flavors during pregnancy.
Other Benefits of Lemon Juice During Pregnancy
Aside from mixing it with water, lemon juice is a healthy, low-calorie flavoring for food during pregnancy. Add lemon juice to salads, meats or other foods for a punch of flavor that won't pack on unnecessary calories or fat. In addition, lemon juice has a trace amount of sodium, and its strong flavor might reduce your cravings for salt. Too much sodium during pregnancy can contribute to swelling or blood pressure problems.
Reasons to Avoid Lemon Juice During Pregnancy
Lemon juice isn't for everyone. Some women find that the acid in the lemon juice gives them heartburn or acid reflux. In addition, if you have or had problems with calcium-oxalate stones, you should avoid consuming lemon juice because of its oxalate content. Consult your physician before you add lemon juice to your diet if you have had problems with heartburn or calcium-oxalate stones. In addition, too much lemon juice can damage the enamel on your teeth, so as with any other food, you should use your judgment and not overdo your consumption of lemon juice during pregnancy.
References
- "Prevention Magazine's Nutrition Advisor"; Mark Bricklin, et al.; 1994
- Babycenter: Vitamin C in Your Pregnancy Diet; August 2009
- "Pregnancy Day by Day"; Andrew Loughney; 2009
- "The 100 Healthiest Foods to Eat During Pregnancy"; Jonny Bowden and Allison Tannis; 2010
- Baby Partner: Morning Sickness and Nausea During Pregnancy
