Can Eating Bananas During Pregnancy Cause Asthma in Newborns?

Everyone knows the role and importance of good eating habits for the health of a pregnant woman and her baby. From the prevention of birth defects to the avoidance of nutritional deficiencies and the manifestation of allergies and illnesses, the maternal diet can influence them all. (1)

Many women around the world eat apples, bananas, pears, berries, and oranges depending on their availability and widespread access. A diet rich in fruits has several health benefits for a pregnant woman including maintaining an appropriate birth weight. (2)

There are no studies that support the claim that eating bananas during pregnancy will increase the risk of asthma in newborns. In fact, you may benefit from including bananas in your pregnancy diet.

Benefits of Banana During Pregnancy

Consuming banana during pregnancy can offer the following health advantages.

1. Can relieve constipation

Bananas can contribute fiber to the diet. This fiber is essential to manage pregnancy-related constipation. (3)

Dietary fiber can also prevent excessive weight gain and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, which is a type of diabetes that manifests in pregnant women. It can also lower the risk of heart diseases. (3)

2. Can help in the management of nausea

Bananas can be a great food when pregnant women experience nausea or vomiting. It is easily tolerated, is energy dense, and provides nourishment to the body. (4)

3. Can reduce the risk of eclampsia

Eclampsia is the high blood pressure that pregnant women experience. Unmanaged high blood pressure can lead to severe complications for the pregnant woman and the newborn baby.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables has been found to reduce the risk of eclampsia, (5) and banana with its high potassium content (422 mg in a medium-sized banana) can be very effective in managing blood pressure. (6)

What Can You Eat to Prevent the Risk of Asthma in Newborns?

Studies have found a moderate to high intake of raw fruits and vegetables is effective in reducing the risk of allergies in newborns. (7) Choose fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables to consume throughout the pregnancy.

Final Word

A maternal diet rich in fruits and vegetables is beneficial in protecting the pregnant woman and ensuring healthy fetal development. It can also reduce the risk of allergies in newborns.

Therefore, eating bananas during pregnancy will not cause asthma in newborns.