Magnesium is an essential mineral at all points of a person’s life. It plays a major role in your body’s ability to function properly. This is especially the case during pregnancy. As valuable as magnesium is for your body, it is even more valuable for the body of the expecting mother. Read on to learn more about magnesium and what makes a great mineral for pregnant women.
What does magnesium do during pregnancy?
Taking magnesium regularly helps your muscles relax and regulates your blood pressure levels. These two features work in tandem to make delivery altogether less painful and more efficient (how is that for a reason to get your RDI of magnesium?). Magnesium is also good for dealing with contractions, especially premature contractions. And it helps your bones and teeth grow strong.
Including magnesium in your diet is also good for your child’s future behaviors. Having the proper amount of magnesium in your diet can result in some great health benefits:
- Consuming magnesium helps your child develop regular sleep and wake cycles so that it will not turn into a night owl later on in life.
- Magnesium plays a role in the child’s muscle development, specifically in areas of tone and fetal muscle growth.
- Eating magnesium can also improve the circulation of the fetus inside the mother’s womb.
Magnesium Deficiency
If your diet isn’t balanced, you can easily develop a magnesium deficiency and may need to take supplements. A magnesium deficiency can result in muscle cramps, chronic fatigue, and even premature uterus contractions which can affect the child’s delivery.
Magnesium Food Sources
You can find magnesium in a lot of different food sources. The best source for most expecting mothers is probably dark chocolate. The dark chocolate also comes with other compounds that can improve your mood and reduce pain.
