Is ginger safe during pregnancy?

May 31, 2017

It is perfectly safe during pregnancy, provided it’s taken in small quantities

Pregnancy is an important and delicate phase in a woman's life that sparks a feeling of caution in everything. It's only natural to want to be extra careful when you're in charge of a tiny extra life. 

So if people have warned you about taking ginger during pregnancy or you've read too much about it, let's give it to you straight. Is ginger safe during pregnancy? Yes! And that's not it. Here are a few answers to the most common doubts about ginger during pregnancy. 

Will ginger reduce morning sickness? 

Ginger reduces morning sickness and nausea in pregnant women 

Yes! Ginger is especially effective in reducing nausea in early pregnancy. It has the same effect as vitamin B6 on reducing morning sickness symptoms.

One particular study observed pregnant women (of less than 16 weeks) who took about 1 gm of ginger every day for 3 weeks. Ginger noticeably reduced retching and vomiting in these women. 

Will ginger cause miscarriage or birth defects? 

Ginger intake will not cause miscarriage or birth defects 

The answer is a simple no, ginger does not cause miscarriages. There is no scientific evidence to prove this. In fact, a large population-based study has proved that eating ginger "does not increase the risk of congenital malformations, stillbirth/perinatal death, preterm birth, or low birth weight."

How much of ginger is good during pregnancy? 

Ginger should be taken in a limited quantity of less than 1000 gm 

There is no optimal quantity of ginger universally set for all pregnant women. Like any other food, during pregnancy or otherwise, ginger should be taken in limited quantities. Check with your doctor or dietician for a dosage ideal for your body type. 

Ideally, most studies use about 250 mg, 4 times a day. You can take it in the form of fresh and dried root, in tea, and with breads or any other dishes. 

How will higher doses affect you during pregnancy? 

High doses of ginger can lead to gastritis, diarrhoea, and heartburn in pregnancy 

Ginger rarely has any adverse effects on anybody. However, higher doses of ginger, say more than 5 gm a day, will cause side effects. The significant ones are gastritis, stomach upset, diarrhoea, mouth irritation, and heartburn. It might also cause arrhythmia.

When should you avoid taking ginger during pregnancy? 

Ginger should be avoided if you're taking anticoagulants 

Avoid if you're taking blood thinners or medicines to lower blood pressure as ginger can reduce the medicine's effectiveness. It might also be prudent to avoid ginger if you have a history of miscarriages or any clotting disorders.

What other benefits do you get from ginger? 

Ginger is an anti-inflammatory that reduces pain and vascular disease 

Ginger is so frequently used in home remedies for a reason. It's a great, natural anti-inflammatory agent. Apart from treating nausea and motion sickness, it also effectively reduces arthritis- and bursitis-related pain, any kind of stomach upset, and vascular disease. 

Overall, ginger is a good home remedy for nausea and perfectly safe during pregnancy, provided it's taken in small quantities.

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