Is chocolate safe to eat during pregnancy? How many chocolate bars can you eat a day when pregnant? Is chocolate good for a baby?
‘Pregnant women eat chocolate!’ announced news headlines last year. These articles described a study that found eating chocolate daily can benefit your unborn baby!
Given the lengthy list of foods that women are told to avoid during pregnancy – including seafood, soft cheese and alcohol – this news is likely warmly welcomed by mums-to-be. Plus, most women love chocolate!
So, is it safe to eat chocolate during pregnancy? Read on to find out.
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Can I Eat Chocolate When Pregnant?
Chocolate – particularly dark chocolate – contains flavonoids. This is a naturally occurring compound that is rich in antioxidants. Flavonoids are part of the polyphenol – a type of phytochemical – family.
Many foods such as vegetables, berries, red wine, and green tea contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are known for lowering the risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other common diseases.
The study presented to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine concluded that eating chocolate everyday has positive effects on a pregnant mum’s foetal growth and development. This is because flavonoids in the chocolate improves blood flow in the mother’s body.
Is dark chocolate good for pregnancy? A specific class of flavanols found in chocolate has been linked to a decreased risk of heart problems and high cholesterol. The darker the chocolate, the more flavanols it has.
Increased blood flow helps the placenta to develop and function normally. This should result in a good outcome for the pregnancy.
Benefits of Eating Chocolate for Mum and Baby
According to several studies, munching on chocolate while pregnant does have it benefits for both the mother and the foetus. Here are some of them:
For Mum
A 2010 study found that regularly indulging in chocolate can significantly reduce prenatal hypertension and preeclampsia risk.
Consuming chocolate throughout the first and third trimesters of pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of preeclampsia in a study of over 2,000 pregnancies, but only the first trimester was associated with a lower risk of gestational hypertension.
Magnesium, copper, and iron are among the minerals present in dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate also contains antioxidants, which are good for everyone’s health, not just for pregnant women.
One 2018 study found that eating dark chocolate every day for eight days improved various indicators of brain function in comparison to a control group.
For Baby
Two groups of pregnant women participated in a study in 2016 where participants consumed 30 grams of chocolate per day for 12 weeks (that must have been a challenging study to participate in, right?).
Both groups—one consuming low flavanol chocolate and the other high flavanol chocolate—exhibited improved blood flow to the fetus during their ultrasounds.
A study discovered that eating chocolate may make newborns have “sweeter” temperaments, lending scientific support to your grandmother’s tales about your growing tummy.
In a study involving roughly 300 mothers, those who consumed chocolate frequently believed their 6-month-olds had more positive attitudes.
Can I Eat Chocolate When Pregnant: What Is ‘Too Much?’
But Dr Robyn Horsager-Boehrer from UT Southwestern says it is important to look a little closer at the details of this study.
She points out that the study did not examine whether chocolate itself was good for pregnant women and their babies.
“I am also specifically concerned about when pregnant women should be eating chocolate,” she said.
Dr Robyn says that food rich in polyphenols (such as dark chocolate) can also trigger this condition.
Healthline says you can have chocolate—especially dark chocolate—in moderation throughout your pregnancy. The benefits, which may include lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of specific issues, and improving blood flow to the mother and the unborn child, are fairly well established.
Although there is some evidence that chocolate consumption rises during the third trimester, this evidence is insufficient for medical professionals to advise against it.
Pregnant women eat chocolate in moderation. | Source: Pexels
Moreover, consuming too much chocolate increases the release of stomach acid, which can lead to stomach upset or heartburn, which is a common occurrence in pregnancy.
Overconsumption of chocolates may also interfere with the absorption of calcium or increase blood pressure. The caffeine in chocolate can cause other symptoms like restlessness, shakiness, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, rapid or abnormal heart rhythms, and anxiety.
Finally, remember that increased sugar intake may put pregnant women at risk for gestational diabetes, which can be harmful to them and their unborn baby.
Can I Eat Chocolate When Pregnant in the Third Trimester?
Though researchers are unsure of the ramifications, the positive relationship between chocolate and blood flow may present more of a problem throughout the third trimester.
A 2014 study looked at chocolate intake throughout the third trimester. It was determined that the baby’s ductus arteriosus could suffer negative impacts from late pregnancy (DA). The DA, a vital blood vessel for fetal development, disappears shortly after birth.
Researchers essentially advised women to exercise caution while ingesting chocolate during this stage of pregnancy because its anti-inflammatory properties might work against them.
ALSO READ:
Pregnant Mums Can Consume Caffeine But Within Limits, Experts Say
Can I Eat Chocolate When Pregnant? Yes, but in Moderation
If you’re going to have chocolate during pregnancy, here are 6 things to remember:
1. Keep it pure
2. Opt for dark
3. Think bite-size
4. Savour it
Image Source: iStock
Updates from theAsianparent Philippines.
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