Why should you eat chili during pregnancy

Researchers from the University of Buffalo have found that a type of diabetes that is developed during pregnancy can be avoided with chili. The research shows that eating at least one chili meal a month, lowers the gestational diabetes risk drastically.

Diet plays a huge role for a healthy pregnancy

The research is mainly aimed at optimizing the dietary aspects of a pregnancy to avoid health complications, most prominently to lower the risk of gestational diabetes, which can also develop into type 2 diabetes in the mother later on.

Leading the research is Xiaozhong Wen, who is emphasising the importance of different types of beans and their benefits during pregnancy.

What Wen has found interesting is that chili has shown the most promising results associated with the risk of developing gestational diabetes. More research needs to be done on the subject, however, chili is potentially one of the most practical dietary tools to include beans in the diet.

Where does chili’s health benefits come from?

Researchers have stated some components within chili benefit the mother during the pregnancy: Capsaicin (the heat giving component to chili peppers), phenolic compounds found in beans (especially black beans), and fiber.

Not only do these compounds have an effect that improves blood sugar, there is also an implication of a healthier gut movement. Overall, more research needs to be conducted for more certain results. Although, the potential for a bowl of chili a month is pointing in a good direction during the pregnancy.