Modern society emphasizes gender equality, and few people care about the gender of the fetus. The idea of "sour boys and spicy girls" is considered unreliable in today's advanced technology. So, why do pregnant women crave sour foods during pregnancy and what impact does it have on pregnant women and their fetuses? Let me explain it to you.
What is the reason behind the craving for sour foods during pregnancy?
After women become pregnant, the placenta secretes a substance called "chorionic gonadotropin," which significantly reduces the secretion of gastric acid and greatly decreases the activity of digestive enzymes, thus affecting the appetite and digestion of pregnant women.
As a result, pregnant women often experience selective eating, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and other "morning sickness" symptoms. Sour foods can stimulate gastric acid secretion, which helps to improve the appetite of pregnant women and increase the activity of digestive enzymes. It also promotes gastrointestinal motility and enhances the digestion and absorption of food.
Therefore, as long as pregnant women eat some sour foods to compensate for the insufficient gastric acid, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting can be alleviated.
What are the effects of eating sour foods during pregnancy on pregnant women and their fetuses?
Throughout pregnancy, eating acidic foods is beneficial for the development of the fetus's bones. After 2-3 months of pregnancy, the fetal skeleton begins to form (calcium is the main component of bones). However, in order for calcium to form calcium salts and deposit to form bone tissue, acidic substances must be involved.
Iron is an essential trace element in the human body and is necessary for the production of hemoglobin in pregnant women and fetuses. During pregnancy, pregnant women need 4-5 times more iron than usual. If iron intake is insufficient, iron-deficiency anemia is likely to occur. Iron can only be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract after it is converted from trivalent to divalent, and an acidic environment is necessary for this transformation.
It seems that eating some sour foods during pregnancy is beneficial for preventing and correcting iron-deficiency anemia. Vitamin C is also an essential nutrient for pregnant women and fetuses. It plays an important role in the formation of cellular matrix in the fetus, the production of connective tissue, and the development of the cardiovascular system and hematopoietic system.
In addition, vitamin C can enhance the mother's resistance and promote the absorption of iron. Foods rich in vitamin C are generally acidic, so pregnant women eating sour foods can provide more vitamin C for themselves and their unborn babies.
What precautions should be taken in the early stages of pregnancy?
First month: Since you may not know that you are pregnant in the early stages, but your body and daily details are telling you that you are pregnant, you must pay attention. For example:
In terms of physical reactions, you may experience symptoms similar to a cold in the early stages of pregnancy. If you randomly take medication, it will not only fail to achieve the desired effect but may also result in the birth of a deformed baby. Therefore, under any circumstances, do not take medication without proper consultation. The safest way is to see a doctor and identify the cause of the symptoms.
Second month: Pregnant women are very prone to miscarriages during this period and must be especially careful. Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in intense exercise, and reduce household chores and outings as much as possible. Do not overexert yourself, get plenty of rest, ensure sufficient sleep, and control sexual activity.
Third month: Similar to the second month of pregnancy, it is also prone to miscarriages during this period, so pay extra attention to the details of daily life. If you have a habit of exercising, you can continue but it must be light and not strenuous.
