benefits of betel leaf
Betel leaves have anti-infective, immunomodulatory, hepato protective, anti ulcer, anti inflammatory, cardiovascular, anti diabetic properties. Betel leaf also works as a mouth freshener. It also promotes oral hygiene. It also has antiseptic properties.
Why betel leaf is given during pregnancy?
According to traditional belief, eating betel leaf improves digestion and stimulates the appetite of a pregnant woman. Betel leaves are rich in antioxidants. It also provides relief from cough, bleeding gums, dehydration, wounds, swelling, constipation, diabetes, headache and back pain.
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Can betel leaf be eaten during pregnancy?
According to the reports of the World Health Organisation, chewing betel leaf during pregnancy can increase the risk of cancer and can also have adverse effects on pregnancy. On the other hand, eating betel leaf for a long time can cause cancer, especially oral cancer.
According to the International Journal of Medicine and Public Health, rural women of Bangladesh who consumed betel leaves and betel leaves on a daily basis were found to be deficient in folate. Due to this deficiency, the child is at risk of neural tube defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, disorders in the nervous system during pregnancy.
What to do
In pregnancy, no woman should eat anything that cannot be said clearly about its effects or side effects. It would be better not to eat betel leaf during pregnancy. Instead, you can cure your digestive problems even by eating small amounts at short intervals. Take a balanced diet and avoid eating fatty foods. You drink plenty of water and must drink about 8 glasses of water throughout the day. Do light exercise or yoga.
what the research says
According to a research by NCBI, there are many benefits of eating betel leaf such as it increases appetite, improves digestion, but medical research suggests that there are some risks associated with it, such as folate deficiency. That’s why it would be better that you avoid it.
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