8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Consuming Ajwain During Pregnancy

Ajwain, also known as carom seeds, is considered one of the staple kitchen ingredients in all Indian households. It belongs to the same family of fennel and cumin seeds and is regularly used in different curries and spices. Ajwain has a bitter and spicy taste and is referred to as ‘ugragantha’ in Ayurveda. 

Traditionally, ajwain is known for its medicinal properties and is a popular ingredient used for easing digestion and reducing stomach problems. But is it safe to consume ajwain during pregnancy and how does it help improve your health during this crucial time? Keep reading to find out all the details in this post, including safety considerations and healthy recipes to include in your pregnancy diet.

Is It Safe to Have Ajwain During Pregnancy?

Yes, it is safe to have ajwain during pregnancy. However, make sure that like every other item, you consume the spice in moderation. You can also consult your nutritionist or gynaecologist to determine the optimum amount of ajwain that you can safely consume during pregnancy.

Since ajwain has a spicy and intense flavour, some women may find it challenging to consume it during pregnancy. Hence, you can either consume it raw or in powdered form, based on your taste preferences. 

Nutritional Profile of Ajwain

Ajwain is rich in iron, fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins. In fact, 100gm of ajwain seeds contain about 66.36% iron which helps cover a large part of your daily nutrient requirement. According to a source, 100gm of ajwain has the following nutritional value.

8 Surprising Benefits of Ajwain During Pregnancy

Ajwain seeds have incredible antifungal and antibacterial properties and are also known for their anti-hypertensive and broncho-dilating qualities. These properties make ajwain highly beneficial during pregnancy. In this section, we have listed some of its top benefits.

Helps Ease Stomach Disorders

Ajwain contains thymol, which is a white crystalline substance that potentially boosts your digestive enzymes and offers relief from common pregnancy stomach disorders like bloating, gas, and heartburn. The spice also helps improve your gut health and keeps your metabolism rate steady.

Helps Regulate Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the risk factors for pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. Ajwain has anti-hypertensive properties that can help regulate your blood pressure and keep it as stable as possible.

Helps Relieve Chest Congestion

Ajwain seeds have broncho-dilating properties that help ease chest congestion and are especially beneficial for mums who have existing respiratory conditions like asthma. For fast relief from nasal and chest congestion, you can:

• Inhale the smoke of burned ajwain seeds as it helps open up your airway and make breathing easier.
• Have a teaspoon of ajwain and jaggery paste twice a day to improve severe chest congestion.
• Make a warm ajwain compress by putting a handful of seeds in a soft cloth, tying it, and heating it over a warm tawa. Apply this warm bundle over your chest gently to get relief from congestion.

Provides Relief from Food Poisoning

As discussed above, ajwain seeds have incredible anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and can help maintain a healthy gut during pregnancy. Moreover, the active compounds in ajwain help fight against microbes and bacteria responsible for food poisoning and improve your health.

Helps Fight Constipation

The surge of pregnancy hormones in your body and the pressure of the growing womb can take a toll on your normal digestion and adversely affect your bowel movements, leading to constipation. Ajwain seeds have rich fibre content and laxative qualities that help improve bowel function, and speed digestion, helping fight constipation.

Helps Enhance Your Oral Health

Pregnancy also affects your oral health in many ways. To prevent this concern, you can take a handful of ajwain seeds and boil them in water with some salt. Once the water boils, put down the flame and allow the mixture to cool a bit. Use the water to gargle about 2-3 times a day to enhance your oral health and keep your mouth clean and fresh.

Helps Reduce Headaches

Hormonal fluctuations make many mums prone to headaches during pregnancy. And as you already know, many medications including painkillers are unsafe to consume during this time. The good news is that ajwain seeds make for an excellent home remedy for headaches. You can try applying an ajwain paste over your forehead or putting ajwain powder in a cloth, wrapping it tightly, and smelling it frequently to soothe headaches.

Best to Consume In Your Third Trimester

While digestive concerns are experienced throughout pregnancy, these issues aggravate during the third trimester. Drinking ajwain water during this period is considered highly beneficial and can help:

• Improve your appetite
• Reduce acidity
• Reduce flatulence
• Enhance digestion

Are There Any Side Effects of Having Ajwain during Pregnancy?

To get maximum benefits, you must consume ajwain seeds at moderate levels. This is because excess consumption can increase your body temperature and have a harmful effect on your pregnancy. Moreover, consuming too much ajwain can lead to nausea and dizziness during pregnancy. Hence, stick to the amount that has been recommended by your doctor on a daily basis.

How to Include Ajwain In Your Pregnancy Diet?

While this spice is used in many food preparations at Indian houses, some of the best ways to consume ajwain during pregnancy include:

• Ajwain seeds
• Ajwain water
• Ajwain parathas
• Powdered ajwain

Conclusion

Besides being a kitchen staple, ajwain seeds possess many medicinal values, which is why it has been traditionally considered as one of the best home remedies for digestive concerns and headaches. While it is entirely safe to consume ajwain during pregnancy, keep in mind that too much of anything is not good. Hence, consult your nutritionist to determine the right quantity of ajwain seeds you can consume during pregnancy, and include them in your diet with appropriate recipes. 

Also read:

Eating fish during pregnancy: What varieties of fish are considered safe for consumption during pregnancy? Find out all the details in this post.

Foods to avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy: Check out the list of foods that must be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Eating kiwi during pregnancy: Learn all about the benefits of having kiwi during pregnancy and recipes to include in your diet.

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