The benefits of olive oil for pregnant women cannot be underestimated. This healthy oil can not only help overcome complaints that pregnant women may experience, but are also useful for supporting fetal growth and development.
Olive oil (olive oil) is a natural oil extracted from olives. In 1 tablespoon of olive oil, contains about 120 calories and various nutrients, such as fat, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, and choline. Olive oil also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Various Benefit Moil Zaitun for pregnant women
Thanks to these ingredients, olive oil can provide many benefits for pregnant women and fetuses, including:
1. Disguise stretch marks
Stretch marks are a condition where scars appear on the skin. In pregnant women, stretch marks often appear on the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. The appearance of stretch marks is generally caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and skin stretching due to weight gain.
To disguise stretch marksPregnant women can apply olive oil. This is because the content of antioxidants and various vitamins and minerals in olive oil is believed to help fade stretch marks.
2. Caring and fix dry skin
Some pregnant women may have complaints of dry skin. This could be due to hormonal changes or skin irritation. To overcome this, pregnant women can use a moisturizer.
In addition, pregnant women can also take advantage of natural ingredients that can moisturize the skin, such as olive oil and aloe vera, to treat dry skin.
3. Maintain endurance
The next benefit of olive oil for pregnant women is to support the immune system to stay strong. These benefits are due to the high content of vitamin E and antioxidants in olive oil.
With good immunity, pregnant women's bodies will be stronger against germs and viruses that cause infection. Not only that, good immunity is also important to support the formation of the fetal immune system.
4. Relieve leg cramps
Leg cramps are one of the most common complaints experienced by pregnant women. This is usually caused by weight gain during pregnancy and decreased blood flow to the legs.
To relieve leg cramps that pregnant women feel, try mixing about 2−3 tablespoons of olive oil with about 15 drops of an essential oil, such as lavender oil or olive oil. cammomile. After that, use the oil mixture to gently massage the feet that feel sore and cramped.
5. Supports fetal growth and development
Olive oil is a good source of healthy fats to support fetal growth and development. In addition, olive oil also contains antioxidants, choline, and vitamin E which are good for supporting increased fetal weight, strengthening the fetus' immune system, and brain development.
Some research shows that including olive oil in the diet can reduce the risk of low birth weight and premature birth.
6. Get rid of head lice
Head lice in pregnant women can be eradicated using olive oil. The trick is to mix 15-20 drops of essential oil with 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
After that, apply evenly to the scalp and hair, then wrap the head using a head covering (shower cap) overnight and leave until the morning. The next day, wash your hair with shampoo until clean. Pregnant women can do this every 3 days until the lice are completely gone.
Those are the various benefits of olive oil for pregnant women that pregnant women need to know. Apart from olive oil, pregnant women also need to maintain the health of their bodies and fetuses by adopting a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding stress, getting enough rest, and of course having regular checkups with the doctor.
Although it has many benefits, consuming or using olive oil can cause allergic reactions in some pregnant women. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to consult a gynecologist first in order to get the maximum benefits of olive oil.
