Pregnant women are usually recommended to consume citrus fruits. Pomelo during pregnancy is one such fruit that offers various health benefits. The fruit tends to be sweeter than other citrus fruits and offers good nutritional value. In addition, it provides folic acid and vitamin C, which are essential for a healthy pregnancy. Read on to know more about pomelo and its pregnancy benefits and safety.
What Is Pomelo?
Pomelo is a citrus fruit. Native to Southeast Asian countries, pomelo is now available in most parts of the world. The pomelo is slightly larger than a grapefruit, and the flesh is white, yellow, pink or red. The skin of the fruit is green or yellow, and the fruit is sweet and tart in taste . The white variety is milder in taste than the pink pomelo fruit (1). It is one of the lesser known citrus fruits. But regarding nutrition, it packs all the punch of its citrus cousins like oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines. Pomelo is also known as Chinese grapefruit.
Health Benefits Of Pomelo During Pregnancy
All citrus fruits contain almost the same nutrients with varying differences in their % DV (daily value). So, you can reap similar benefits if you eat an orange, a grapefruit or a pomelo. One example of the difference in their nutrient components can be the antioxidant compounds found in different varieties of citrus fruits. Here are some health benefits of the pomelo fruit during pregnancy:
All citrus fruits including pomelo are good sources of folic acid. A lack of folic acid during pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal birth defects.
Pomelo is a great source of vitamin C. Pregnant women need at least 85mg of this essential nutrient every day (2). Consuming fresh pomelo fruit or its juice is a great way to fulfill your vitamin C requirement during pregnancy. It can also add variety to your citrus food sources during your pregnancy. Vitamin C also protects from cold infections and strengthens the immune system. Since it is an antioxidant, vitamin C also protects your cells.
Pomelo is also a good source of other antioxidants such lycopene found in its pink/red varieties (3).
Pomelo is also a good source of fiber and aids digestion. Regular consumption of pomelo and other citrus fruits can provide you with healthy fiber and hence relief from common pregnancy problems such as constipation (4).
Pomelo is a good source of potassium and calcium. Potassium keeps your muscles and nerves healthy. It also helps to keep your blood pressure normal (5). You can also eat pomelo to fulfill your body’s growing calcium requirement during your pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Eat Pomelo During Pregnancy?
Eating pomelo and other citrus fruits during pregnancy is considered safe. However, there are some concerns with citrus fruit consumption that you must discuss with your doctor (6)(7).
Vitamin C in more than recommended doses may cause certain side effects such as diarrhea and kidney stones. If, during your pregnancy, you notice side effects such as nausea, stomach cramps, and heartburn after consuming foods rich in vitamin C such as pomelo then share your concerns with your doctor. Excessive vitamin C consumption can also harm the fetus. It is a water-soluble vitamin, which means your body doesn’t store excess amounts of vitamin C. But if you notice any side effects during your pregnancy as mentioned above, take proper care to consult your doctor about it .
Certain active ingredients found in pomelo and other citrus fruits such as grapefruit may interact with drugs for cancer and heart conditions. One example is furanocoumarins found in pomelo (8). Discuss with your doctor about consuming citrus fruits during pregnancy if you are under treatment for any of these conditions.
Avoid eating pomelo as a dried fruit as it will contain more calories and sugar content which is not advisable to prevent gestational Diabetes. Fresh whole fruits should always be your first preference. Dr. Naheed Ali, MD, Ph.D., a physician and medical writer from North Miami Beach, Florida, says, “Pomelo should be carefully washed before eating, as it could contain bacteria or other diseases that could make you sick. Pomelos should also be consumed in moderation because overeating citrus fruit can cause heartburn and other digestive problems, which are frequent during pregnancy.”
