There are various benefits of spinach for pregnant women, ranging from increasing body immunity to preventing babies from being born with disabilities. It's because of spinach contains nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, protein, fiber, folic acid, iron, and calcium.
Pregnant women are advised to eat various types of vegetables, including spinach. Because when you are pregnant, you need more nutrients and spinach is one of the vegetable choices for pregnant women with a variety of benefits that are a shame to miss.
Benefits of Spinach for Pregnant Women
Below will be explained about what are the benefits of spinach for pregnant women:
1. Increase body immunity
The high content of vitamin C in spinach can increase the body's immunity for pregnant women. Pregnant women whose body power is well maintained will be less susceptible to disease and healthier overall.
2. Prevent or treat constipation
The fiber contained in spinach can prevent or treat constipation in pregnant women. In addition, fiber can also increase endurance because it is good for digestion. Healthy digestion can be a reflection of a strong immune system.
3. Prevent anemia
The benefits of spinach for the next pregnant woman is to help prevent anemia due to iron deficiency. These benefits can be obtained because spinach contains a fairly high iron.
4. Supports the growth of fetal bones and teeth
Most dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, are rich in calcium. The calcium content in spinach is useful for supporting the growth of bones, teeth, heart, nerves, and also fetal muscles.
Because its role is so important, you must ensure that calcium needs are met properly during pregnancy. If this need is not met, the calcium requirement for the fetus will be taken from your bones. This will increase your risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.
5. Maintain fetal eye health
The need for vitamin A during pregnancy has increased by 10–20%. To meet this need, you must eat foods, such as fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin A. Spinach is one of them.
Vitamin A plays a very important role in maintaining the health of your eyes and that of your baby. Not only that, vitamin A is also needed for the development of other organs, such as bone development and the fetal immune system.
6. Reducing the risk of birth defects
Spinach is a good source of folic acid or vitamin B9. This vitamin has been known to be very important to support fetal development. Research shows that meeting folate needs properly during pregnancy can reduce the risk of birth defects, especially spina bifida and anencephaly.
Although spinach has many benefits, you still should not forget to eat vegetables and other nutritious foods during pregnancy, because spinach alone is not enough to meet all the nutritional needs of pregnant women.
To support the development of the fetus in the womb, you also need to adopt a healthy lifestyle and regularly consult a doctor according to a predetermined schedule.