Drinking enough fluids is essential during pregnancy to support your health & also maintain amniotic fluid & blood volume for fetal growth. Therefore, it is recommended to include at least ten cups of fluids every day. Adding juices to your diet is one of the best ways to meet your everyday fluids requirements apart from water. To have an underst&ing of the healthy juices you may have, read on this Ragini Women Hospital post.

Healthy Juices You Should Include During Pregnancy

Following is the list of 13 juices that you might include during the pregnancy period. They provide most of the health & nutrition for you & your developing baby.

1. Orange juice:

Benefits:

• Rich source of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that boosts your immune system.
• Provide sodium & potassium that balance fluid levels in the body.
• Vitamin B6 & folate suppers fetal brain development.
• Fiber content treats stomach problems such as constipation, bloating & other gut discomforts
• Increases pH value of urine, thus protects the kidney & bladder
• Soothes skin by providing enough moisture & prevents pregnancy acne
• Contains several carotenoids which give protection against inflammation, oxidative stress & improves vision.

How to make:

• Slightly squeeze or roll the oranges firmly using your palms on the table counter.
• Peel them, & slice into four parts.
• Blend in a grinder or juicer. If it is too dry, add enough water & some sweetener for taste.
• If you do not want the pulp, strain the juice.
• Enjoy the glass of freshly squeezed & unpasteurized orange juice

2. Cranberry juice:

Benefits:

• Made up of 90% water, a regular intake will keep you hydrated.
• High levels of antioxidants help combat inflammation & protect the body from free radical damage.
• Prevent bacteria from growing in the gastrointestinal gut, & boosts the immune levels.
• High dietary fiber works against constipation that is common in the early pregnancy.
• Treats tooth problems such as tooth decay, cavities, & plaque formation.
• Acts as a natural diuretic, & prevents edemas.

How to make:

• Take water in a large pan & add cranberries. Boil them.
• Lower the flame, & boil until the berries turn soft & burst open.
• Filter the juice using a muslin cloth or a strainer.
• You can add sugar or honey if the juice is sour.
• You can also combine it with some other fruit juice to enhance its flavor.

3. Carrot juice:

Benefits:

• A rich source of beta-carotene helps improve the vision of the mother & the fetus.
• Vitamin C aids collagen production in the skin & bones, & also acts as an antioxidant to rid off free radicals.
• Potassium normalizes the heartbeat, improves blood circulation & prevents muscle cramps.
• Rich in fiber, it helps treat constipation & aids digestion.

How to make:

• Wash & scrub the carrots to remove dirt & any debris.
• Cut into small pieces & add into a blender or juicer.
• Add water to keep the blender moving smoothly.
• Have it fresh.

4. Pineapple juice:

Benefits:

• Bromelain in the fruit juice acts as a natural blood thinner, thus helping lower blood pressure & also prevents blood clot formation.
• Rich source of vitamin C that helps boost immunity, repairs cell damage & produces collagen.
• Manganese strengthens the bones & lowers the risk of osteoporosis.
• Vitamin B1 regulates nervous system, heart & helpful for muscle functioning.
• The presence of dietary fiber helps prevent constipation.
• Copper aids in red blood cell production & essential for the formation of the fetal heart.
• The aroma of the juice activates mood & lowers signs of anxiety & depression.

How to make:

• Peel & chop the pineapple into small pieces.
• Put them in a blender, & add water & sugar.
• Collect clear juice by filtering through a strainer.
• Add water if juice is very thick.
• Sprinkle some black salt, & this is optional.
• Have it fresh with some topped mint leaves.

5. Beetroot juice:

Benefits:

• Improves hemoglobin levels, therefore lowers the risk of anemia during pregnancy.
• Rich in vitamin C that aids in iron absorption
• Folic acid helps fetal development & lowers the risk of birth defects.
• Loaded with betalain, an inflammatory, beetroot juice reduces pain caused by edemas.
• Excellent source of calcium & prevents the risk of osteoporosis.
• Potassium helps in balancing electrolytes & helps regulate metabolism.

How to make:

• Wash the beetroots & peel them.
• Cut into small pieces & put them in a blender or a juicer
• Puree till smooth, add sugar & water & blend it again.
• You might add lemon for enhancing its flavor.
• Have it fresh.

6. Prune juice:

Benefits:

• Excellent sources of dietary fiber that you need during pregnancy.
• Contain sorbitol & phenolic components that offer laxative properties.
• Helps manage constipation & restores bowel movements.
• Good iron source, & therefore helps in correcting iron deficiency & prevents anemia.
• Potassium helps to manage blood pressure, depression & tension.
• Good for building the immune system, & wards off fatigue signs.
• Useful in treating cramps & pains you usually experience during pregnancy.

How to make:

• Take one cup dried prunes, & remove their pits.
• Boil five cups of water, & add to the pitted prunes until they are totally immersed.
• After soaking them for nearly 24 hours, blend them along with the water that has been used for soaking.
• Filter clear juice using a strainer.
• Combine the juice with the remaining boiled water.
• Have it fresh, & keep the remaining juice in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for a week.

7. Apple juice

Benefits:

• It contains powerful antioxidants such as flavonoids & phytochemicals that eliminate free radicals from the body.
• Regular consumption lowers the risk of cancers of esophagus, larynx, colon & lungs.
• Iron boosts hemoglobin & helps prevent anemia.
• Flushes away toxins such as lead & mercury from the body.
• Insoluble fiber helps lower indigestion & improves bowel movements.
• Vitamin C thwarts off infections & builds immunity.

How to make:

• Peel the skin & cut small pieces of apple.
• Add them to sufficient water & boil them.
• Allow it to cool, & blend them with water.
• Serve fresh apple juice, & you may add lemon juice for enhanced taste.

8. Pomegranate juice

Benefits:

• Contains high amounts of fiber that helps treats constipation
• It offers perfect levels of iron preventing the risk of anemia.
• Vitamin C to absorb iron from foods, helps repair tissue, builds bones & aids baby’s mental development.
• Vitamin K strengthens bones, & is a wonder cure for blood clotting.
• Folate protects you from neural tube defects
• Polyphenol components in the fruit protect the brain.
• Fulfills your calorie requirements & keeps you hydrated.

How to make:

• Put the pomegranate arils into a blender, & blend until they are properly crushed.
• Use a strainer to filter the juice.
• You may use a spatula to press the pulp against the sieve.
• Have it fresh.

9. Grape juice

Benefits:

• Magnesium in grapes helps relieve pregnancy cramps.
• Fiber works greatly in easing digestion & treats constipation.
• Reduces stress, & it is helpful for pregnant women before they go to labor.
• Antioxidants such as flavon, anthocyanins, linalol, geraniol & tannin help fight infections & boost immunity.
• High amounts of resveratrol control high cholesterol levels.

How to make:

• Soak grapes in a large bowel filled with water, & rinse them well.
• Put them into a blender, & add sugar if needed.
• Add water, & blend until you get a smooth consistency.
• Strain the juice using a filter.
• You may add a pinch of salt or fresh lemon juice for enhanced taste.

10. Guava juice

Benefits:

• Rich in vitamin C, it improves metabolism & immunity.
• Manages blood pressure levels, & lowers the risk of miscarriage & premature births.
• Control of blood sugars & prevents gestational diabetes.
• Fiber plays a key role in preventing constipation & other digestive complaints.
• Rich in lycopene & vitamin C, it combats against cancers.
• Vitamin A helps to improve the eyesight of both mother & the baby.
• Magnesium present in rich amounts helps relax nerves & muscles.

How to make:

• Peel & chop guava into small pieces.
• Put into a blender along with some water, & little sugar.
• Filter the juice using a strainer.
• You can add some fresh lemon juice or ginger for additional flavor.
• Have it immediately.

11. Peach juice

Benefits:

• Super rich in vitamin C that helps in iron absorption & fetal development.
• Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in babies.
• Potassium helps minimize lightheadedness, anxiety, fatigue & swollen feet & ankles.
• Eases bowel movements & deals with digestion woes with its optimal fiber content.
• Act as a natural detoxifying agent, & flushes away toxins.
• Healthy levels of beta carotene boost immune system.
• Possess an antiemetic property that provides relief from morning sickness.

How to make:

• Peel, remove the pit & scoop out fresh peach flesh.
• Put them into a blender with some water, & blend to get a smooth consistency.
• Add enough sugar & blend again.
• Filter the juice through a strainer & have it fresh.

12. Strawberry juice

Benefits:

• Rich source of vitamin C that boosts immunity & normalizes blood pressure.
• Manganese acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, & fights free radicals.
• Potassium helps with normal heart functioning.
• Iodine is helpful for the baby’s brain & nervous system development.
• Naturals sugars present in it stimulate mental activity & memory.
• Vitamins A & E are referred to as “vitamins of beauty” which adds a glow to your skin.
• Endorphins in the fruit juice improve pregnant mom’s emotional state.

How to make:

• Rinse & chop the strawberries into small pieces.
• Add sufficient sugar, & blend everything to a smooth consistency.
• You may also add some fresh lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
• Using a strainer, filter the juice.
• Have fresh juice immediately that tastes sweet & sour.

13. Lemon juice

Benefits:

• Full of vitamin c, it helps prevent fever, cold, flu & also fights off infections.
• Stimulates the liver, & helps regulate bowel movements & eases digestion.
• Very refreshing & keeps you hydrated.
• Rich source of antioxidants that remove toxins from the body.
• High potassium levels aid in bone development.
• Warm lemon juice relieves you from swollen feet.
• Ease the flow of bile, & treats nausea.
• Nutrients help in managing blood pressure & cholesterol.

How to make:

• Cut the lemon into two halves, & squeeze them to extract its juice.
• Add this extract into a glass of water.
• You may add sugar or honey, & consume it fresh.