Olive oil is often called "liquid gold" for a reason. Its benefits are great, and for pregnant women, the product can be considered a real find - it is both an excellent food supplement, and a remedy that is difficult to find a replacement in cosmetology, and a medicinal product. Pregnant women can use the product for a variety of purposes.
Benefits for pregnant women
Vegetable oils in general are very important for the nutrition of the expectant mother. But olive is a real leader in terms of the amount of nutrients. It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and this is very important for the functioning of the nervous system of a pregnant woman and for the correct formation of the central nervous system of the fetus.
There are not so many food products in the world that are almost completely absorbed by the human body. And the oil extracted from the fruit of the olive is just such a product. All fats in the product are useful, and this product is unique. Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 plus peanut acid necessary for the nervous system, the development of the baby's brain, to improve the memory of a pregnant woman.
In addition to fatty acids, the oil contains vitamins such as A, K, D, E. The product contains flavonoids, sterols, chlorophyll and carotenoids. And thanks to such a rich composition and amazing properties, olive oil has found wide application not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology and medicine.
It has long been noticed that women who love and systematically consume olive oil keep their youthful and healthy skin longer. The product in the diet strengthens hair and nails, helps to resist excess cholesterol. Olive oil during pregnancy prevents the formation of blood clots, increases the elasticity of blood vessels and reduces the risk of developing problems with the work of the heart.
The use of olive oil is good for digestion, it has a pronounced antioxidant effect. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for the prevention of constipation and hemorrhoids - two delicate problems, especially relevant in late pregnancy, when a large and heavy uterus compresses the lower veins and intestinal loops.
It's believed that olive oil helps prevent joint diseases, and also increases the elasticity of muscles and ligaments, which is especially important on the eve of childbirth. This oil is an excellent remedy for high blood sugar. Its topical application will help get rid of wounds and scars on the skin.
For constipation oil is used as a natural laxative approved at any gestational age. It can be drunk on an empty stomach, added to salads and main courses.
For the prevention of stretch marks, oil is used externally. It has been proven that the number and depth of stretch marks decreases if a woman does massage with such oil... Stretch marks during pregnancy will help rubbing the abdomen and hips, you can smear the belly 2-3 times a day.
To prepare the cervix in late gestation, it is recommended to increase the amount of olive oil in the diet of the expectant mother. It is believed, although not scientifically proven, that this product contributes to faster cervical opening during labor.
Potential harm and contraindications
Despite all the beneficial properties of olive oil, the product still has a number of restrictions and even contraindications, and therefore before deciding to use it systematically, you should consult with your doctor.
When consuming olive oil high risks of developing an allergic reaction... At the same time, food allergy develops much less frequently than contact, and therefore it is the external use that should be given special attention, and when redness, itching at the place where the oil is applied, it is worth stopping use and contacting a doctor. Before you start using oil for stretch marks, it is worth doing a skin test - apply a small amount of the product and see during the day whether an undesirable external immune reaction appears.
Olive oil is high in calories and should not be consumed in large quantities. Women who are obese and have pathological weight gain during pregnancy should especially refrain from it.
Olive oil is not recommended for expectant mothers who have stones in the gallbladder. The product has a choleretic effect and with such a pathology can harm the condition of the biliary tract.
If a woman suffers from diabetes mellitus and takes medications that should correct her carbohydrate metabolism, then the use of olive oil is a matter for the doctor to decide. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the course of diabetes.
Women with high blood pressure who are taking blood pressure lowering medications should avoid consuming olive oil.as it can lead to pressure drops and surges.
Excessive enthusiasm for olive oil as a cosmetic can lead to blockage of the pores of the epidermis, local skin inflammatory reactions, bacterial, pustular inflammation.
Therefore, it is important to remove oil residues from the skin, as well as to regularly wash the skin to eliminate unpleasant consequences.
How to use it correctly?
There is no hard limit on the amount of oil a woman can add to salads and main dishes. The total daily amount of vegetable oil during pregnancy is limited to 3 tablespoons per day. For the rest, a pregnant woman has the right to decide for herself which dishes and how to add a few drops of healthy olive oil. There are other uses as well.
For skin
The large amount of vitamin E makes the product an excellent anti-aging agent. A woman can even count on a reduction in the number of fine wrinkles, as well as a significant improvement in complexion. The oil is more useful for women with dry skin.
Apply olive oil to the face or abdomen. slightly warmed up. The layer should be thin, maximum exposure time on the skin should not exceed a quarter of an hour.
Be sure to remove excess oil with a napkin and rinse the skin with warm water.
The expectant mother can add a drop of warm olive oil to her favorite cream, the effect will be more pronounced. If pregnancy occurs during the hot season, olive oil can act as protection against aggressive ultraviolet radiation, which is contraindicated for expectant mothers. The skin is not only protected from the scorching sun, but also acquires a delicate and golden hue if you apply olive oil on it before going outside in summer and rub it evenly.
To improve hair condition
Olive oil will support the hair of the pregnant woman and help in matters of hair care. You can do with it hair masks. Or you can just lightly rub the warm product into the scalp before washing.
If the hair of the expectant mother becomes dry and brittle, application can be done daily. To do this, apply a few drops to the comb before daily combing the hair. It is better if you apply oil in this way, a woman will before bedtime.
For constipation and to improve digestion
If constipation has already become a nightmarish everyday reality, then it is worth trying to apply the product on an empty stomach on a tablespoon in the morning. In many cases, this helps to cope with the problem without the use of pharmacy medicines.
It is permissible to combine the product with kefir, a few drops of aloe juice, with honey, if the woman is not allergic to bee products.
With diabetes
The product is recommended to be combined with small amounts of carbohydrates. This, if your healthcare provider does not mind, helps keep your blood sugar levels under control and increases your overall insulin sensitivity. A doctor's consultation is required if the pregnancy is taking place against the background of diabetes mellitus.
Important! Only high-quality varieties of olive oil are suitable for a woman during pregnancy. It is also necessary to pay special attention to the shelf life and compliance with the rules for storing the product.
How to choose?
Unfortunately, on the shelves of modern stores, with all the large selection, it is quite difficult to find a real, good and healthy oil that is best used during pregnancy - taken internally and used for external purposes. The most useful is Extra Virgin - a product of the first cold pressing... The fruits for him are harvested by hand, no thermal and chemical influences are exerted on him. Such oil is brighter and more aromatic, it contains all the useful substances of the product.
Pomace is a refined oil. It does not have a pronounced taste and color, it is prepared when exposed to temperatures and substances of chemical origin. It is less useful on its own, but ideal for frying.
The product should not be stored for a long time, as it quickly oxidizes and loses its beneficial properties. An open bottle should not be stored for more than a month.
To buy a quality food for pregnant women, you should give preference to product in a dark glass bottle or in an opaque container. However, the plastic packaging should be discarded.
In terms of color, it is difficult to say something about quality, since a high-quality product, according to reviews, is characterized by a wide range of shades - from dark green to straw golden.
Pay attention to the date of manufacture. The earlier from the date of production the product hits the table, the more benefit it will get. Ethen the wine gets better over time, and the olive oil gets worse every month after pressing.
Store the purchase at home in a dark place, direct light rays are detrimental to the product. Do not use oil if it tastes bitter.
For information on how to choose olive oil, see the next video.
