Can you eat cranberries or drink cranberry juice when pregnant?
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Hannah Weiss
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Find out if it's safe to eat cranberries during pregnancy, including cranberry juice and cranberry supplements. Plus precautions to take to keep you and your baby healthy.
The official advice on eating cranberries in pregnancy
Great news! It's fine to eat cranberries while you're pregnant.
Not only are they safe, cranberries are a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals. According to the NHS, these nutrients are an essential part of a healthy balanced diet that will keep you and your growing baby healthy.
- Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants that boost your body's natural defences.
- Copper is considered integral for infant growth, brain development, the immune system and strong bones.
- Vitamin K1 is important for wound healing.
Cranberry juice and UTIs
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Your growing womb and fluctuating hormone levels can make UTIs (urinary tract infections) more common during pregnancy. Cranberry juice is a traditional remedy for UTIs and according to Healthline, it's safe to use in all three trimesters.
Cranberries contain compounds called A-type proanthocyanidins. These may combat the way bacteria stick to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract, making it more difficult for them to grow and cause an infection.
However, if you have contracted a UTI, cranberries alone cannot treat the infection. It's important to visit your GP or midwife who will be able to offer advice on self-care or prescribe antibiotics if needed.
It's also worth noting that cranberry juice is often mixed with other juices to sweeten the flavour. This means it can be high in sugar. Look for a brand with no added sugar for a healthier option.
Cranberry supplements
As with cranberry juice, there's no good evidence that taking cranberry supplements can help to treat a UTI. However, research suggests it's safe to take in pregnancy if you want to.
Always be cautious when taking health supplements during pregnancy. They may not be safe nor as effective as advertised, because the market is less regulated than it is for medicines. Supplements can contain hidden ingredients like added flavours, thickeners, and potentially harmful chemicals. And some supplements sold online might not contain what they advertise at all.
Speak to a pharmacist, who may be able to recommend a safe brand of cranberry supplements to try.
Wensleydale and cranberry cheese
Wensleydale and cranberry cheese is safe to enjoy while you're pregnant. Wensleydale is classed as a hard cheese and the NHS says that all hard cheeses, including parmesan and Cheddar, are safe to eat during pregnancy.
Delicious pregnancy-safe drink recipes
Looking for healthy drink ideas? Why not try one of these great pregnancy-safe recipes?
The Day-by-Day Pregnancy Book: Count Down Your Pregnancy Day by Day by Dr Maggie Blott is packed full of advice from a team of experts to help guide you through your pregnancy from conception to birth. See more details here at Amazon.
Looking for more pregnancy diet info? Check out our articles below, or swap tips with other mums-to-be in our forum.
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