Merdeka.com – Every pregnant woman will always try to adopt a healthy lifestyle, one of which is by eating healthy foods. Food plays an important role in determining the development of the baby, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, since the womb must be given healthy food so that the baby’s growth can take place properly.
Maintaining a regular diet is very important for pregnant women to implement. This needs to be done as an effort to increase the baby’s intelligence and also to nourish the mother’s body. There are many types of vegetables for pregnant women that function effectively to maintain health during pregnancy, one of which is kenikir leaves.
The leaves of kenikir by Indonesian people are often eaten as fresh vegetables. Besides having a distinctive taste, kenikir leaves are also known as medicinal plants. The reason is, the leaves have a Latin name Cosmos caudatus it contains a myriad of health benefits.
Kenikir leaves contain carbohydrates, protein to iron which are needed during pregnancy. So do not be surprised if this plant originating from Latin America is quite popular with some people.
So what are the benefits of kenikir leaves for pregnant women? Check out the reviews that merdeka.com reported from Healthline:
Prevent cancer

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Cancer is one of the most deadly diseases in the world. Therefore, from an early age, prevention efforts must be started. Consuming kenikir leaves is an alternative way to prevent cancer.
Kenikir leaves contain antioxidants that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Thus, kenikir leaves are quite effective in preventing cancer during pregnancy. In addition, some kenikir leaves also function to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases, such as heart disease.
Overcoming Ulcer
Ulcer is one of the most common types of disease experienced by Indonesians. Usually, someone who experiences this condition will feel pain and burning in the stomach. Ulcer itself is caused by various factors, such as Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection and side effects of certain drugs.
Launching from Alodokter, there are about 7,000 cases of stomach ulcers and 80% are functional dyspepsia. The functional dyspepsia itself is a condition of heartburn with no known cause. This condition can be experienced by anyone, including pregnant women.
When experiencing heartburn, usually pregnant women will experience several symptoms, such as abdominal pain and loss of appetite. If this condition is not treated immediately, it can worsen the health of pregnant women and the fetus in the womb.
For pregnant women who have ulcer disease problems, you should consume kenikir leaves regularly. Kenikir leaves contain tocopherol which functions to relieve ulcer disease.
Strengthens Fetal Bones

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The benefits of kenikir leaves for other pregnant women are to strengthen the fetal bones. Kenikir leaves contain several minerals such as magnesium and calcium. So that this can help strengthen fetal bones.
To get the benefits of kenikir leaves, you can immediately consume the boiled kenikir leaves. In addition, you can also drink kenikir leaf boiled water to which you have added a little sugar.
Increase Body Immunity
The body needs resistance in the face of germs to harmful bacteria. If the immune system goes down, it can cause the body to be susceptible to disease. One way to increase the body’s immunity during pregnancy is consuming kenikir leaves.
The content of vitamins A, E, and vitamin C functions effectively to increase the body’s metabolism. So that it can strengthen the body’s immune system. In addition, kenikir leaves can also help ward off free radicals and protect the body from various diseases during pregnancy.
Eliminate Toxins
Furthermore, the benefits of kenikir are to remove toxins in the body. Eliminating toxins from the body is very important. The reason is, this is what causes humans to suffer from various diseases. To get rid of these poisons, one of them is consuming kenikir leaves.
The content of vitamin E, vitamin C to flavonids can function to neutralize toxins in the body. This can help flush out toxins in the blood. So that the blood will come back clean and the liver will work properly.
Prevent Diabetes
For those of you who have diabetes, you should consume kenikir leaves regularly. The reason is, kenikir leaves contain compounds that can help treat diabetes.
Kenikir leaves contain bioactive compounds in the form of chlorogenic acid, quercetin to ascorbic acid. This compound can help improve insulin performance in people with type 2 diabetes. So that it can reduce sugar levels that cause diabetes.
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