When pregnant, you must take extra precautions regarding what you eat and maintain a healthy diet. Not only does the food you eat need to be nutritious, it must also should be safe for you and your unborn child. It is important to speak with your doctor and possibly a nutritionist when you find out you are pregnant to discuss dietary needs and precautions.

Many pregnant women crave lemons during pregnancy. Is it safe for you to consume when expecting? Are there any pros or cons, benefits or precautions?

Is It Safe to Drink Lemon Juice During Pregnancy?

It is okay to drink lemon juice when pregnant as long as it is in moderation. Freshly squeezed is preferred over canned as it contains more nutrients. The juice of this favored citrus fruit is full of minerals and vitamins. It is also known for helping with nausea that accompanies pregnancy. However, it can hurt the enamel of your teeth and may trigger gastrointestinal problems. So drink in modest.

Benefits of Lemon Juice in Pregnancy

1. Boost Immunity

When you are pregnant your body needs more nutrients, including vitamin C. Lemon juice and citrus fruit are full of this vitamin, which can help prevent illnesses like a cold, fever or flu and help fight off germs and bacteria. It can also assist you with congestion by thinning out your sinus mucus.

2. Improve Indigestion and Constipation

Constipation is a common occurrence among pregnant women. When you drink lemon juice, your liver is stimulated. This can help regulate your bowel movements and help you avoid constipation and even diarrhea.

Drinking lemon juice during pregnancy can also help relieve indigestion. The key is to consume it in moderation or you may cause gastro distress instead.

3. Keep You Hydrated

One of the nicest things about lemon juice is it can help keep your body hydrated. Adding it to a glass of water can be very refreshing.

4. Full of Antioxidants

Lemons are full of antioxidants, which fight to cleanse your body of toxins. Studies have shown a diet rich in these nutrients promote a healthy body.

5. Good for Baby

Potassium is an important nutrient for your unborn baby because it is needed for bone development. Lemon juice is potassium rich, so it is good for both of you.

6. Treat Swollen Feet

When you are pregnant, chances are you will experience swollen feet. Some nutritionists recommend drinking a glass of warm water mixed a tablespoon of lemon juice to help reduce the swelling.

7. Better Labor

It is believed if you drink lemon juice during pregnancy with a little bit of honey every day from five months to due date, your labor may be less intense. However, check with your doctor before trying this.

8. Relieve Morning Sickness

If you suffer from mild morning sickness during the first trimester of your pregnancy, consider drinking a little bit of lemon juice. It can reduce bile flow and ease your nausea. It is also a great mouth freshener, which can help with nausea as well.

9. Lower Hypertension

Drinking lemon juice is a natural solution to lowering hypertension and cholesterol. Its nutrients assist in removing rigidity in blood vessels and can help reduce high blood pressure. Always check with your doctor to see if this is the right solution for you.

Caution with Lemon Water During Pregnancy

Though drinking lemon juice during pregnancy provides many benefits, it does not imply that you can drink as much as you want. When drinking too much, lemon juice can cause some side effects, which include:

• Heartburn: Lemon juice is very acidic so sometimes it can trigger heartburn. It can also aggravate existing gastrointestinal problems. Avoid drinking citrus juices if you are already suffering from these types of conditions.
• Dental Problems: Because of the acidity in lemon juice, it can damage your teeth by de-calcifying them and injuring the enamel. Drinking it in a diluted form is much safer for your teeth. You may have to eliminate it completely if your teeth already show signs of damage.
• Rinse your mouth after: Since lemon juice is high in acidity, you should rinse your mouth with water after drinking it to wash away excess juice. This will help reduce your chances of tooth enamel damage.
• Moderation: If you plan on adding lemon juice to your diet, do so in moderation. Start off slowly, drinking small amounts at a time until you determine how your pregnant body is going to react. Always use fresh lemons when possible, enjoying a nice glass of lemon water when you can and if you can.
• Consult Doctor: Even though drinking lemon juice during pregnancy is considered safe, it is best to check with your doctor before drinking it on a regular basis.