Garlic has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Not only is it delicious, but this flavor packed super food offers many nutritional and medicinal benefits that are all pregnancy safe!

In today’s post, we will go over the different ways to consume garlic, how it benefits your baby, how to get the most out of eating it, how do use garlic to combat a few pregnancy issues, and so much more!

Since everyone’s body and baby’s are different, I cannot give a blanket statement saying that garlic is always safe for you and your baby. Be sure to run any and all dosages, medicinal uses, and potential side effects by your doctor or midwife before adding it to your daily regimen. 

In general, garlic is usually considered safe during pregnancy. Garlic is a strong antifungal, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial agent. Not only can it help reduce your chances of catching a cold, getting an infection, the flu, and prevent a yeast infection, but it can also help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Research has also shown that consuming garlic naturally lowers your blood pressure and lessons your chances of getting preeclampsia. It can also lower the protein levels in your urine and reduce hypertension. Obviously, there is no way to prevent preeclampsia 100%, but it might be worth it to add a little extra garlic to your daily diet anyway. 

Pregnancy is a time when our bodies are more susceptible to getting sick. The antimicrobial properties of garlic can help prevent and heal sicknesses and infections. Just be careful when using garlic on your skin, it secretes a very strong oil that can irritate or burn your skin. Use caution and always try to prepare the garlic properly so that you avoid irritation and burns.

Because it helps regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, consuming garlic daily can help reduce your risk of developing gestational diabetes. Garlic also contributes to improving the body’s ability to use glucose for energy. This means that it may help lower your risk of gestational diabetes if taken regularly.

Benefits for baby

• Garlic is known as a brain food. Not just for you, but also for your baby.
• Garlic is a rich, natural antioxidant that can help protect your growing baby from the damage caused by the chemicals and toxins our body absorbs daily.
• Some studies have even shown that garlic can help improve the quality of your breastmilk. So your baby can still benefit from it after he’s born!
• Studies have shown that garlic can help improve the birth weight of a baby who is at risk for being small or being born early. These studies have shown that garlic can stimulate placental cells and contribute to proper fetal growth. Additionally, many people are concerned about the placenta getting “ old” around 42 weeks gestation. Since garlic helps stimulate the cells of your placenta and helps it work, it may be worth asking your provider whether it would increase the chances of you being able to go into spontaneous late term labor. Many providers will not allow you to go past 42 weeks, but it’s always worth an ask!

Benefits of garlic postpartum

• Garlic contains a high amount of allicin, which is a sulfur-based compound. Allicin helps prevent hair loss and promotes the healthy growth of new hair. If you are struggling with pregnancy or postpartum hair loss, consider taking or eating more garlic.

• Memory issues (better known as “mom brain”), are common during pregnancy and postpartum. Garlic promotes brain health because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s been known to help fight against neuro degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. It can also help increase blood flow to your brain tissue. If you’re struggling with memory, try adding garlic to your diet and see if it helps!

Digestive benefits of garlic

Due to hormonal changes and increased pressure on the digestive system, our food can sometimes get stuck, causing constipation. This can take a toll on our gut health. Garlic can help improve digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes and promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Not only can this help alleviate constipation, but it can also improve your overall digestive health.

Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce inflammation in your gut and calm digestive issues, such as IBS. It is also an antimicrobial and antiviral, which means it can also help fight off harmful bacteria in the gut. This is why taking garlic when you start to feel sick can help you feel better faster.

Ask your healthcare provider about a garlic supplement that is safe for pregnancy. Or simply add it to your daily food regimen. Adding small amounts to foods, such as this bone broth, is an easy way to consume it without it overpowering the taste of your food.

Risks of consuming too much garlic

How much garlic is safe to eat during pregnancy?

After reading all the benefits of garlic, you probably want to start taking it immediately! But wait, it’s important to always consult your doctor or midwife before adding something new into your diet. Garlic is no exception.

Because of its ability to lower your blood pressure and thin your blood, it can increase your risk of bleeding and affect your blood sugar levels when they don’t need to be lowered. Garlic can also offer side effects such as nausea, indigestion, and heartburn. For these reasons, please consult your medical provider before consuming more than three cloves of garlic every day. If you regularly consume garlic and have never had an issue, you’re probably safe to continue doing what you’ve been doing. But again, I recommend that you consult your healthcare provider about a safe dosage for pregnancy.

In conclusion,

Garlic is a powerhouse of nutrients that can help support a healthy pregnancy. From boosting immunity to reducing the risk of high blood pressure, garlic is definitely an essential ingredient in healthy pregnancy diet. As stated above, always consult your doctor or midwife before adding or taking away new things from your diet. They’re there to answer your questions! 🙂

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