Pregnant women need adequate nutritional intake to support the growth and development of the fetus. One option that can be consumed by pregnant and breastfeeding women is almond milk. For those who are allergic to cow's milk, almond milk can be a profitable alternative to meet nutritional needs during pregnancy. By consuming almond milk, pregnant and lactating women can experience positive benefits for the body and also for the fetus they contain. What are the benefits? Come on, see the following explanation.

Almond Milk Nutritional Content

In 100 grams of almond milk, there are various nutrients that are very useful for our bodies.Here is the nutritional information contained in 100 grams of almond milk:

• Calories: 39.3
• Protein: 1,05 gram
• Fat: 2.52 grams
• Carbs: 3.43 grams
• Vitamin E: more than 100 percent of daily nutritional needs
• Calcium: 37 percent of daily nutritional needs
• Potassium: 4 percent of daily nutritional needs
• Magnesium: 4 percent of daily nutritional needs
• Riboflavin: 2 percent of daily nutritional needs
• Phosphorus: 2 percent of daily nutritional needs.

Consuming almond milk can provide extraordinary benefits for our bodies. By containing these nutrients, almond milk can be a healthy and nutritious choice for daily consumption.

Benefits of Almond Milk for Breastfeeding Mothers

Almond milk has a number of benefits for nursing mothers. Here's an explanation:

1. Increases Milk Production

Almond milk is believed to help increase milk production in nursing mothers. This is due to the content of omega-3 fatty acids in it, which are known to stimulate lactation hormones. Although there is no research that definitively proves the benefits of almond milk as an increase in breast milk production, both in terms of quantity and quality.

2. Prevents Defects in Newborn Babies

One of the benefits of almond milk for pregnant women is preventing the birth of babies with defects. Almond milk contains folic acid or vitamin B9 which is important for the formation of the brain and central nervous system, and prevents defects in the neural tube.

3. Increases the Delicacy of Breast Milk

Some babies may not really like the taste of breast milk. To add to the delicacy of breast milk, mothers can consume almond milk. This vegetable milk can provide thickness and a sweet and creamy taste to breast milk. Thus, the baby may be more eager to breastfeed.

4. Overcomes Inflammation

The antioxidant content of vitamin E in almond milk is very useful for dealing with inflammation caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when the levels of free radicals in the body exceed the amount of antioxidants. Inflammation caused by oxidative stress can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Therefore, almond milk can help reduce the risk of these health problems.

5. Supports Eye Health

Almond milk is very beneficial for maintaining eye health for nursing mothers and babies. It contains vitamin A which has an important role in maintaining eye health. One of the benefits is reducing the risk of eye damage due to oxidative stress. The eye damage in question is macular degeneration, namely loss of vision in the center of the field of view. Usually, this condition is experienced by the elderly. Consumption of almond milk can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration in the future.

6. Contains No Lactose

Lactose intolerance occurs when the body has trouble digesting lactose, the sugar found in regular milk. This condition is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase which functions to break down lactose. For nursing mothers who are allergic to cow's milk or lactose intolerant, almond milk can be a good alternative.

7. Prevents High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a serious health problem during pregnancy. If a mother has high blood pressure, the risk of developing preeclampsia increases, which can endanger the health of the mother and fetus in the womb. The calcium present in almond milk can help keep blood pressure under control.

Even so, mothers who are breastfeeding should limit the consumption of almond milk so as to not consume it excessively. This aims to avoid possible side effects of almond milk for nursing mothers and babies. The side effects referred to here are digestive problems, such as nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and disturbances in the digestive system.

This happens because if almond milk is consumed in excess, the mineral content in almonds can cause digestive disorders, especially in nursing mothers who have high digestive sensitivity.

References:

https://www.klikdokter.com/ibu-anak/ibu-menyusui/manfaat-susu-almond-untuk-ibu-menyusui

https://www.prenagen.com/id/manfaat-susu-almond-untuk-ibu-hamil

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