Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in a woman's life. She is blessed to carry a baby in her womb and protect a baby from all evil. As a mother and protector, a mother-to-be starts playing this role from the first day of pregnancy by taking the utmost care of her diet. One of the healthy superfoods that should be a part of a pregnant woman's diet is figs, also known as anjeer in Hindi. Eating figs(anjeer) in pregnancy provide many important health benefits to both fetus and the mother-to-be because of their nutritional profile. 

Consuming figs(anjeer) during pregnancy offers many health benefits because they are high in calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc, all of which are vital for pregnant women. Figs have anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties, making them one of the best superfoods to enhance immunity during pregnancy.

7 Health Benefits of Eating Anjeer (Figs) During Pregnancy

Eating anjeer during pregnancy in moderation amount provides the following 7 health benefits- 

1. Fight Morning Sickness
   

   Morning sickness is a common problem in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, you should add figs (anjeer) during pregnancy's first trimester because they are a great source of vitamin B6. Morning sickness can be reduced by taking vitamin B6. By consuming dried anjeer in pregnancy, you experience an improvement in the morning sickness condition.

Figs can also be consumed as a nutritious midnight snack in moderation. Figs have a high vitamin B6 content, which raises serotonin levels, which are important for mood enhancement. As a result, eating figs in pregnancy helps minimise mood swings.

2. Brain Development of the Fetus
   

   During your pregnancy, it becomes important to add superfoods to your diet that promote the growth and development of fetus. One such superfood is dry anjeer (figs). As per expert consuming anjeer during pregnancy contributes significantly to the growth and development of the fetus brain.

Figs are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and folate, which are important for fetus brain development. Another health benefit of eating anjeer in pregnancy is that chances of the preterm births and premature deliveries are reduced. 

3. Reduce the Risk of Pregnancy Hypertension
   

   The list of the health benefits of eating anjeer in pregnancy is incomplete without mentioning the health benefit of figs in reducing hypertension. As per experts, the low consumption of potassium-rich foods coupled with a high sodium intake during pregnancy can cause hypertension in women. 

Potassium acts as a vasodilator, relaxing blood vessels and arteries. The high potassium concentration in figs helps to lower blood pressure. Thus, consuming anjeer during pregnancy aids in the prevention of pregnancy hypertension.

Therefore, you must add figs (anjeer) to your pregnancy to increase the intake of potassium in your body. 

4. Manage Constipation 
   

   Constipation is a common problem in the third trimester of pregnancy. To prevent it, you must add figs during pregnancy's third trimester because figs are a great source of both insoluble and soluble fibre, which aids in constipation reduction during pregnancy.

Anjeer have ficin, a proteolytic enzyme that metabolises protein into amino acids. The enzyme aids digestion, which has been hampered by hormone changes during pregnancy. To alleviate constipation and encourage regular bowel movements, eat 2-3 anjeer in the morning. 

5. Strengthen Bones
   

   Calcium aids in the development of the fetus's bones and teeth, as well as those of the mother. Because figs are high in calcium, they can help strengthen the mother's bones throughout and after pregnancy, keeping her fit and strong for resuming regular activities. Therefore, you must add dry anjeer to your diet during pregnancy for the healthy development of the fetus. 

6. Control Cravings
   

   In pregnancy, it is common to have cravings for your favourite snacks, which might not be healthy or beneficial for the overall wellbeing of the fetus and mother-to-be. The best way to satisfy cravings is to munch on healthy and delicious dry fig during pregnancy. This is because figs are very alkaline, and hence they can help suppress cravings and counteract these less-than-healthy desires that can ruin a good pregnancy diet. 

7. Prevent Anemia 
   

   In pregnant women, iron deficiency anemia is very common. A pregnant woman's blood volume increases by about 50% throughout pregnancy. If the iron levels in the mother's blood are low, the fetus may not obtain adequate oxygen. Iron is abundant in figs. As an extra bonus, figs are high in vitamin C, which aids iron absorption. So, to prevent the risk of anemia in your pregnancy, you should add iron-rich figs to your diet. 

3 Side Effects of Eating Figs in Pregnancy

Every superfood provides the maximum health benefits when it is consumed in moderation amount. The same thing applies for figs as well. The overconsumption of anjeer during pregnancy can lead to the following 3 risks:  

1. Stomach ache 
2. Diarrhea
3. Trigger allergic reactions

Conclusion

For a pregnant woman, dry figs are better than fig fruit because they provide more antioxidant compounds than fresh ones. Moreover, dry figs are more nutritionally dense. As well as being delicious to eat, figs can help reduce some of the unpleasant experiences of pregnancy. To reap the health benefits of figs, you can eat three to five figs a day. However, you must consult your doctor before including them in your diet. You can buy the premium-quality dry figs from Healthy Master.