Pregnancy is a highly demanding stage that necessitates additional nutrition to meet the needs of your growing baby. In addition to regular meals, many pregnant women desire to try different foods to satisfy their off-time cravings. In this time and age, many exotic fruits, juices, candies, pop slices, etc. are now just a tap away. Still, our own magnificent Mosambi, an all-time available citrus fruit, remains the most popular and nutritious go-to snack among pregnant women. Choosing fresh Mosambi guarantees you the full nutritional benefits for pregnancy needs.
Mosambi juice can be a nutritious and refreshing supplement to your pregnant diet. While fresh mosambi is healthy, juicing may not be the best option because multivitamins, minerals, and fiber may be lost. Ready to drink that glass of fresh mosambi juice? Hold on and read this article before adding mosambi juice to your pregnancy diet. This article contains detailed information about the safety, benefits, ideal consumption techniques, and potential negative effects of mosambi juice while pregnant.
Video On The Benefits Of Mosambi Juice For Expecting Moms
What is Sweet Lime or Mosambi?
Sweet lime or mosambi is a tropical fruit mostly found in the Indian subcontinent, South and Southeast Asia, and Mediterranean countries. It can be described as a round fruit with thick skin, with pulp and seed inside it. This is a cousin of orange but greenish-yellow in color. Despite being a close neighbor of other citrus fruits, it tastes sweet rather than tangy. You can find it throughout the year in any fruit store or supermarket.
Is it Safe to Drink Mosambi Juice During Pregnancy?
It is safe to drink mosambi or sweet lime juice during pregnancy. This fruit is rich in minerals, natural nutrients, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and many more beneficial ingredients. Moreover, unlike other citrus fruits, this tastes sweeter, which can be a good taste-changer.
This fruit is available throughout the year and is pocket-friendly. Points to note are that you must check the quality of it. Avoid it if you see some scars or brown marks on the skin. Press it and check whether it is soft or tight as tightness indicates the freshness of the fruit.
Benefits of Drinking Mosambi Juice During Pregnancy
Pregnant women should aim for at least 100 g of fruit per day. Remember, to reap the most advantages from fruit consumption, choose whole, fresh fruits over juices, which may contain additional sugars and lack dietary fiber (1). If you are suffering nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy, you should watch your diet. According to studies, lowering your intake of processed foods such as white bread, biscuits, and soft drinks while increasing your consumption of dietary fiber-rich citrus fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help reduce symptoms (2,3).
1. Beneficial for Bone and Skeletal Growth
Mosambi is rich in calcium and potassium. These are the essential elements of the human skeleton and bones. According to studies, optimum consumption of sweet lime or Mosambi juice during pregnancy provides sufficient minerals to the fetus for cartilage and skeletal growth.
2. Amazing Body Cooling Agent
The natural cooling property of Mosambi helps maintain the optimum temperature around the fetus and stimulates brain development.
3. Boosts Blood Circulation and Maintains Blood Pressure Level
Mosambi juice during pregnancy improves blood circulation in the body. It also keeps the blood pressure level under control.
4. Controls Blood Sugar Level
Diabetic pregnant women need more control over their diet. High sugar levels can create complications during pregnancy. Research data by NCIB shows that regular consumption of Mosambi juice during pregnancy with amla and honey helps to maintain a stable blood sugar level.
5. Gives Relief to Constipation
The dietary fiber available in Mosambi is beneficial for the digestive system. Iron supplements during this period are a reason for constipation in pregnant women. As digestion improves, you get relief from the general common problem of constipation.
[Read: Amla During Pregnancy]
6. Amazing Source of Vitamin C
Mosambi is an amazing source of ascorbic acid (the scientific name of vitamin C). As we all know that this vitamin is very important to improve immunity, it helps to fight against common coughs, colds, flu, and other viral diseases.
7. Rich with Antioxidants
This tropical fruit is a natural source of antioxidants. As per the study of NCIB, these antioxidants help to fight against the free radicals that cause slow damage to the body. Our body produces these unstable free radicals when fighting against the odd environment and other conditions. Optimum consumption of mosambi helps to reduce hair fall and improve skin quality by protecting them from oxidative damage.
8. Mosambi Juice Keeps Your Body Hydrated
According to studies, dehydration can cause many problems like neural tube defects, reduction in amniotic fluid, inadequate breast milk production, and premature labor also. This is a juicy fruit and provides a lot of fluid to your body. The vitamin C present in it is also water-soluble and the body cannot store this vitamin within. It keeps your body hydrated and also prevents body cramps.
9. Works as a Detoxifying Agent
Mosambi juice during pregnancy works as a detoxifying agent and removes toxins from your body. This also neutralizes the body hazards caused by pollution and stress.
10. Improves digestion
Mosami juice’s fibrous composition can assist alleviate digestive discomfort. A glass of this juice can effectively treat infrequent stools, constipation, bloating, and indigestion, particularly during pregnancy. Iron supplements during this period are a reason for constipation in pregnant women. As digestion improves, you get relief from the general common problem of constipation (4).
11. Boosts Iron Absorption
Mosambi juice, which is high in vitamin C, considerably boosts iron absorption from the diet. Iron is necessary for preventing anemia during pregnancy, which may affect both you and your baby’s health (5).
12. Strengthens Immunity
Mosambi juice’s vitamin C content helps to boost your immune system, making you less vulnerable to colds, flu, and other viral infections. A robust immune system is essential for protecting both you and your growing baby from seasonal infections.
Mosambi juice provides several benefits for both you and your baby, so include it in your pregnancy diet. However, before making any big dietary changes while pregnant, contact your healthcare professional (6).
[Read: Drinking Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy]
Precautions to Take Before Drinking Mosambi Juice During Pregnancy
The amazing taste and benefits of sweet lime juice attract everybody. However, when you are in a delicate phase of life, you need to be very sensitive to your drinks and foods. There is no side-effect of mosambi juice during pregnancy as such but some points you should keep in mind (7):
- Avoid drinking it from roadside stalls. You do not know the hygiene of the area or whether they are using fresh or bad mosambi to extract the juice. Unhygienic juice can cause upset stomach or other bacterial infections and you do not want to take such risks at this time.
- Do not keep the juice aside for a long time. If you keep it outside for long, the taste changes and it also loses its benefits. Therefore, it is always recommended to drink fresh juice.
- Whenever buying mosambi, pick the fresh one. Press and check the tightness of the fruit. If it is soft, avoid that one. Also if you scratch the surface of the skin, the fresh one releases a good lime fragrance. The rotten mosambi has brown spots on the surface.
- If you are suffering from fever or have a cough and cold, avoid adding ice to the juice or do not drink chilled juice directly from the refrigerator. It can worsen the condition.
- If you are suffering from peptic ulcers, kidney stones, better to avoid having mosambi juice during pregnancy.
- If you have a history of citrus allergies, you should avoid mosambi juice. While rare, adverse responses such as skin rashes and itching can develop if consumed in large quantities.
- While mosambi juice is healthful, excessive drinking might cause digestive problems such as heartburn or diarrhea during pregnancy. Aim for a moderate intake.
- Mosambi juice can be acidic, therefore avoid using it excessively. If you have acid reflux or other digestive issues, dilute it with water or take it after a meal to neutralize the acidity and avoid discomfort.
- Commercially available mosambi juices may have additional sugars, artificial flavorings, and preservatives that are not recommended throughout pregnancy. To reap the most benefits from the fruit, opt for fresh, handmade, and unsweetened varieties.
[Read: Oranges During Pregnancy How Safe To Eat?]
How to Prepare Sweet Lime or Mosambi Juice?
Now you know what the benefits of mosambi juice during pregnancy are. But how to get the most of it? What is the procedure to prepare mosambi or sweet lime juice? Here is a simple step-by-step guide for you.
Ingredients
- Sweet lime or mosambi – 3 to 4 numbers
- Black salt – According to your taste
- Cumin powder – According to your taste
- Sugar or honey – Optional According to your taste
Procedure
- Wash the mosambi well to get rid of all the dirt and germs.
- Peel off the skin and cut it into pieces. Please remember to remove all the seeds or these can destroy the taste.
- If you are using an electronic juicer, put all the pieces inside it and switch it on. Run it for some time till you get a smooth juice. If you have a manual juicer, squeeze the pieces of the fruit inside the opening and rotate the handle and extract the juice in a bowl.
- Put some black salt and sugar or honey as per your taste. You can also sprinkle some cumin powder into it. Mix it well.
- Strain the juice in a glass and enjoy.
You need to consume the juice fresh. If you keep it for some time, the taste gets bitter, and you won’t enjoy it. Fresh mosambi juice during pregnancy is a rejuvenating drink, and you can enjoy it throughout your term. But try to consume it in a moderate amount. This fruit provides natural nutrients, minerals, essential vitamins to your body and boosts the immune system as well. Just keep an eye on the freshness of the fruit and enjoy the fresh sweet drink.
FAQ’s
1. What Happens if We Eat Sweet Lime or Mosambi Daily?
It is good for you and your baby if you eat sweet lime daily. But moderate consumption is a must. Overeating may cause vomiting and digestion problems. Moreover, as this is a member of the citrus family, wash your teeth after eating mosambi or the acid may damage your teeth.
2. Does Mosambi Contain Folic Acid?
Yes, mosambi or sweet lime contains folic acid. As per a study, most citrus fruits along with sweet lime are a natural source of folic acid, which is very much essential for pregnant women.
3. When Should We Eat Sweet Lime?
Sweet lime is such a fruit that can be consumed anytime. But avoid eating it on an empty stomach. Also do not eat cut fruits or drink juice which is kept out for a long time.
4. Can I Eat Sweet Lime on an Empty Stomach?
It is not recommended to have sweet lime on an empty stomach. Citrus fruits, when taken on an empty stomach, increase acid production. Moreover, the dietary fiber and fructose (sugar in fruits) content in sweet lime can upset your empty stomach.
5. Who Should Not Drink Mosambi Juice?
If you have a citrus allergy, you should avoid mosambi juice. Pregnant ladies with acid reflux should also avoid mosambi juice.
6. When is the Best Time to Drink Mosambi Juice?
Drink mosambi juice alongside iron-rich foods or take a supplement to improve absorption. Do not consume on an empty stomach.
Read Also: Is It Safe To Have Pomegranate And Pomegranate Juice During Pregnancy?
References
- Liao, Y. P., Zheng, Q. X., Jiang, X. M., Chen, X. Q., Gao, X. X., & Pan, Y. Q. (2023). Fruit, vegetable, and fruit juice consumption and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis : List of all authors. Nutrition journal, 22(1), 27. – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37208776/#
- Crozier, S. R., Inskip, H. M., Godfrey, K. M., Cooper, C., Robinson, S. M., & SWS Study Group (2017). Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: Effects on food intake and diet quality. Maternal & child nutrition, 13(4), e12389. – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27896913/#
- Reijonen, J. K., Tihtonen, K. M. H., Uotila, J. T., Vihtamäki, T., & Luukkaala, T. H. (2022). Dietary fibre intake and lifestyle characteristics in relation to nausea or vomiting during pregnancy-a questionnaire-based cohort study. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 42(1), 35–42. – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33942705/#
- Powers, E. A., Tewell, R., & Bayard, M. (2023). Over-the-Counter Medications in Pregnancy. American family physician, 108(4), 360–369. – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37843943/#:~
- Kumar, S. B., Arnipalli, S. R., Mehta, P., Carrau, S., & Ziouzenkova, O. (2022). Iron Deficiency Anemia: Efficacy and Limitations of Nutritional and Comprehensive Mitigation Strategies. Nutrients, 14(14), 2976. – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35889932/#
- WebMD, Are There Health Benefits to Juicing? – https://www.webmd.com/diet/juicing-health-benefits
- Ruxton CHS, Myers M. Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review. Nutrients. 2021 May 27;13(6):1815. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8228760/#
