Pregnancy is a challenging condition for women, especially when there are a thousand one rules to follow to ensure successful delivery. Diet restrictions are one of the many things women worry about during pregnancy. Despite the many don’ts when eating for expecting mothers, there’s one food item that you still can enjoy during 9 months of gestation- CHOCOLATE. According to studies, pregnant women should sink their teeth into these luscious treats. Chocolate consumption has been linked to many health benefits including preeclampsia prevention to guaranteed 100% healthy babies. If you want to know more about the benefits of eating chocolates, keep on reading!
Preeclampsia prevention
Preeclampsia is a medical condition that only occurs during pregnancy and is characterized by unusually high blood pressure. It’s one of the many causes of premature delivery and mortality in both mother and the unborn baby. The rise in blood pressure during pregnancy may lead to serious, deadly complications such as convulsions. Preeclampsia may also lead to blood clotting issues, liver tissue damage, and kidney failure. The compound, theobromine that is mainly found cocoa has been proven to fight the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia. According to a research study conducted by Yale University, almost 50% of the 2500 women interviewed did not suffer from preeclampsia as a result of including the intake of chocolate on a daily basis.
Proper blood regulation
Theobromine, one of the ingredients found in cocoa contains compounds that help in proper blood regulation among expecting mothers. This substance helps in keeping the blood pressure within normal range.
Chocolate intake makes happy babies
According to a research conducted in Finland, a mother’s regular intake of chocolate results in the development of a happy and lively newborn. Based on the New Scientist magazine, even pregnant women under great amounts of stress but are consuming chocolate regularly deliver happier newborns. The study was conducted after observing 300 women who ate chocolates as a means to relieve stress. The mothers who indulged on chocolate for stress relief reported that newborns are lively and happy. In addition, the babies, whose mothers ate chocolates during pregnancy, respond better than those whose mothers did not eat chocolates. The reason for positive behavior among newborns is the chemical phenylethylamine, one of the many beneficial ingredients in chocolates. The compound is said to be passed on from the mother to the unborn baby.
Chocolates are rich in antioxidants
Chocolates contain compounds known as flavonoids that are rich in antioxidants. Expecting mothers can benefit from these flavonoids as these compounds help in keeping immunity intact. The antioxidants found in chocolates are also proven to prevent the development of certain types of cancers and aid in improving pregnant women’s cardiovascular system.
Chocolates are loaded with vitamins and minerals
Chocolate boasts minerals such as magnesium, iron, and other nutrients. For one, magnesium facilitates the efficient metabolism of fatty acids.
Chocolate is proven to prevent the development of heart disease
The dark chocolate variant helps in the prevention of heart disease. The antioxidant properties of dark chocolate makes it easy as well as delicious to keep your cardiovascular system at its peak performance and function. By rule, the high-quality, dark chocolates have the highest antioxidant concentration compared to regular chocolates.
Chocolates for weight management and reduction in bad cholesterol
levels Dark chocolate can help reduce the bad cholesterol level in the bloodstream. This is due to the fact that this chocolate variant has low fat and sugar concentration.
Chocolate is an excellent stress reliever
Whether you are an expecting mother or not, you will agree to the fact that eating chocolates is a comforting experience altogether. Consuming chocolates within the normal range can result in better mood and behavioral patterns among pregnant women. However, pregnant women should bear in mind to keep the intake at a reasonable frequency and amount. Anything consumed in excess is bad for the health.
