Pregnancy is one of the most important phases of a woman’s life. And therefore, taking risks during pregnancy can be harmful to both the mother and the unborn child. And so, she needs to take precautions while consuming anything. Similarly, taking spirulina during pregnancy can both be beneficial as well as a risk factor.
This article will throw light on the subject of whether consuming spirulina during pregnancy is safe or not, along with highlighting its health benefits and the risks.
In This Article
- What is Spirulina?
- Is Spirulina Safe During Pregnancy?
- Health Benefits of Spirulina During Pregnancy
- Risks Associated with Intake of Spirulina During Pregnancy
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is a bacteria that are often being found in water bodies. It is a blue-green alga that is popular for containing several nutrients and fatty acids. Often known by a name of cyanobacteria, spirulina is a type of bacteria that can be good but also has some side effects. Hence, to know if spirulina is good or bad for a mother depends entirely on her body.
Spirulina comes in capsules and syrups forms, making the intake easy. Many pregnant women consume spirulina as it provides multiple nutrients. But, still, several women avoid using spirulina powder or techui before and after getting pregnant. This us because there are no medical proof for its benefits during pregnancy.
Is Spirulina Safe During Pregnancy?
As mentioned earlier, the question of whether spirulina is safe for pregnancy or not has prevailed in the minds of pregnant women for a long time. But, giving a certain definite answer to this question is not really possible medically as experts have not been able to prove it either way. However, expectant mothers sometimes go ahead and consume spirulina due to its nutrients and the other health benefits mentioned below.
Health Benefits of Spirulina During Pregnancy
Spirulina performs a dynamic function in the human body and helps the mother to deliver a healthy baby. Following are certain possible health benefits that state clearly that spirulina is safe:
- Spirulina is a bacteria found in water. The nutrients produced by the spirulina are biosynthesized, which means that the nutrients can be easily absorbed.
- Intake of spirulina helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Thus, it can be said that spirulina helps in the prevention of gestational diabetes
- Spirulina contains omega acids with high concentrations. This can help in the growth of the baby’s brain while in the mother’s womb
- Spirulina contains several fatty acids which promote hormonal balance and help in the regulation of blood pressure in the human body
- The nutrients present in the spirulina also help in improving hemoglobin and therefore, it helps in fighting anemia and fatigue during pregnancy
Risks Associated with Intake of Spirulina During Pregnancy
Though there are numerous benefits for pregnant women, there are certain risks that come with the intake of spirulina while pregnant as well. Following are some of them:
- Spirulina contains heavy metals and mercury and also some harmful bacteria which are not good during pregnancy. It can lead to serious health issues
- Regular intake of spirulina when pregnant can cause difficulty in breathing, inflammation of the pancreas, nerve damage, and kidney failure
- Regular intake of spirulina during pregnancy can cause excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and weakness
- It is not good for pregnant women with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
Now that you are aware of the various techui benefits and side effects, you can easily decide whether spirulina is safe for your pregnancy or not. In such circumstances, it is always advisable to take the help of a doctor so that you can have a safe pregnancy without any risks involved.
