All fruits carry various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals which are beneficial for overall health and the development of the fetus. Similar is the case with Falsa. Falsa is an exotic berry. They are small and round purple fruits that have a large number of benefits. The benefits of falsa in pregnancy are also innumerable.
They are generally purple or red in color with sweet and tangy flavor. After harvesting, these small fruits remain fresh only for a short period of time.
It is eaten as it is or used to make beverages such as falsa juice. It is used to make other falsa products such as falsa ice creams, desserts, etc. Falsa juice or falsa sharbat has a lot of health benefits and also benefits pregnant women.
In this article, we will look into the benefits of falsa in pregnancy, falsa juice benefits in pregnancy, falsa juice calories, and most importantly falsa meaning in English. This is because many people think of black currant as falsa fruit.
Falsa Meaning in English
Falsa in English is known as “Indian plum” or “falsa buckthorn”. Moreover, the scientific name of the falsa fruit is Grewia asiatica.
Falsa fruit is often misunderstood as black currant. However, one should keep in mind that falsa fruit and black currant are two different fruits. Falsa fruit is known as Grewia asiatica whereas black currant is known as Ribes nigrum and both possess different characteristics.
Falsa fruit is native to South Asia and is used in desserts and beverages.
On the other hand, Black Currant is a dark purple to black berry that is native to Europe and is commonly used to make jellies, jams, syrups, etc.
RELATED: Falsa Benefits for Health (Nutritional Value & Side Effects)
Falsa Nutritional Value
The nutritional value of 100 g of falsa is as follows:
- Calories 90.5 Kcal
- Moisture 76.3%
- Calories from fat 0.0 Kcal
- Protein 1.57 g
- Fat <0.1 g
- Dietary Fiber 5.53 g
- Carbohydrates 21.1 g
- Ash 1.1 g
- Calcium 136 mg
- Iron 1.08 mg
- Phosphorus 24.2 mg
- Potassium 372 mg
- Sodium 17.3 mg
- Vitamin A (µg) 16.11
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.264 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.825 mg
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 4.385 mg
The falsa juice calorie content varies based on factors including, added ingredients, serving size, and preparation method. It is a low-calorie beverage, especially if it is made without adding sweeteners or sugar.
On average, an unsweetened cup (approx 240 milliliters) of falsa juice has about 50-70 calories. This is a rough estimate because the actual calorie content is based on the recipe you use.
If you add sugar or sweeteners in the juice, the falsa juice calories will increase.
فالسہ کے ایسے 6 حیران کن فوائد جو آپ کو بیماریوں سے محفوظ رکھتے ہیں۔
Benefits of Falsa in Pregnancy (Red Currants Benefits Pregnancy)
Falsa fruits have numerous amounts of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, that are great for pregnant women. It has many vitamins and trace minerals that are essential for pregnant women. It is an excellent fruit to consume during pregnancy due to the potential falsa benefits in pregnancy.
Some of the potential benefits of falsa in pregnancy are given as follows:
1. Fights Anemia
Anemia is a common issue in pregnancy and normally in women due to monthly loss of blood. The volume of blood rises to 50% in pregnancy.
Insufficient iron intake during pregnancy can cause iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia can cause various issues during pregnancy.
To prevent and overcome iron deficiency one should use falsa. Falsa is an excellent source of iron. Consuming falsa during pregnancy can help in boosting iron levels. This can combat extreme fatigue and anemia.
2. Deals with Gestational Diabetes
Falsa has a low glycemic index which means eating falsa will not spike the blood glucose levels. Hence, it is an excellent option to go for if you’ve gestational diabetes.
Moreover, if you drink a small glass of falsa juice (falsa sharbat) after heavy meals, it can aid in avoiding the spike in blood glucose levels.
A study conducted in 2017 reported that an increase in blood glucose levels during the first trimester enhances the risk of congenital heart diseases in babies.
Similarly, in the third trimester, the uncontrolled blood glucose level can cause many serious issues including stillbirth.
Hence, one should consume falsa during pregnancy to prevent a spike in blood sugar levels.
3. Improves Blood Circulation
One of the falsa benefits of pregnancy is that helps in improving blood circulation.
Falsa has a great amount of anthocyanin, tannin, and antioxidants. These all elements aid in preventing the accumulation of lipids in the bloodstream. Eventually, this aids in preventing cholesterol clogging in the blood vessels.
Hence, it is important to eat falsa during pregnancy to improve blood circulation which is also beneficial for the development of the fetus.
4. Prevents Hypertension
Falsa has a huge amount of phosphorous and potassium. Therefore, consuming falsa during pregnancy aids in regulating blood pressure.
Healthy regulation of blood pressure during pregnancy is very important because an increase in blood pressure can pose serious complications.
5. Helps in Digestion
Pregnant women usually face many digestive issues due to indigestion. From bloating to constipation and acid reflux, pregnant women face a lot of digestive issues.
To overcome indigestion and related digestion issues, pregnant women should use falsa.
Falsa is enriched with fiber and eating fiber-rich foods can aid in combating indigestion, bloating, constipation, etc.
6. Keeps Hydrated
During pregnancy, staying hydrated is very important for the well-being of both the developing fetus and the mother.
In that case, falsa fruit can be used. Falsa fruit has a high water content that can aid in hydration during pregnancy.
7. Source of Energy
During pregnancy, women need a lot of energy to run the daily chores. Moreover, energy is important for both the mother and the baby.
To enhance energy levels, you can have falsa. Falsa has natural sugars that provide energy which can be beneficial during pregnancy. It is best for those who experience fatigue and tiredness.
Moreover, falsa fruit has essential minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, and calcium. These nutrients are beneficial for the overall health and development of both the mother and the developing baby.
8. Good for Skin and Hair
Consuming falsa during pregnancy aids in improving skin tone. One of the best falsa benefits in pregnancy is that it also helps in achieving a “pregnancy glow” quickly.
Falsa also aids in improving scalp health. This aids in reducing hair fall during pregnancy.
You can also watch this video by Ms. Maria Nadeem Khan – Clinical Nutritionist in which she talks about the top 5 benefits of falsa juice.
How to Use Falsa?
Following are the ways to incorporate falsa in your daily life:
- Falsa fruit can be eaten as it is by sprinkling a pinch of salt
- Falsa can be used to make falsa juice
- Falsa can be used to make different falsa desserts, smoothies, and shakes
- Falsa ice cream can be made from the fruit
How to Make Falsa Juice?
To make falsa juice, follow the below-mentioned falsa juice recipe:
- In a blender, add washed fresh fruit.
- Add sugar, water, and ice cubes.
- Then, blend well.
- Take a bowl or jug and strain the mixture.
- Now add black salt as per your taste and mix well.
- Pour in the glass and enjoy Falsa juice.
Falsa Juice in Pregnancy
Some of the benefits of falsa juice in Pregnancy are as follows:
- Adding a few drops of lemon and ginger juice to the falsa juice is very beneficial for respiratory issues during pregnancy.
- Falsa juice in pregnancy improves digestion and prevents stomachache.
- Adding some rose water to falsa juice can aid in relieving nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
- Due to its high water content and cooling effect, it can quench thirst during pregnancy and keep the body hydrated.
- It also provides an instant source of energy for the mother and the baby.
Falsa & Falsa Juice Side Effects
There are no medical-proven complications related to consuming falsa during pregnancy. However, one should drink and take falsa in moderation to avoid any overdosage symptoms.
Some of them are as follows:
- Too much consumption of falsa during pregnancy and lactation can cause extreme fluctuations in the temperature of the body of pregnant women.
- It can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to falsa.
- Too much consumption can cause a sudden fall in blood pressure.
Final Words
Falsa is a small, round, and purple-colored fruit. It is full of natural vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and offers many overall health benefits.
Falsa is not only good for overall health but also has amazing falsa benefits in pregnancy. From dealing with gestational diabetes to helping in digestion, it has a lot of benefits during pregnancy.
If you want to incorporate falsa or falsa juice in your pregnancy diet, then you should consult the best nutritionist in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Falsa fruit hot or cold?
Falsa is a cool fruit. It has high water content contributing to its cooling effect. Consuming foods with high water content aids in regulating body temperature and maintaining hydration.
2. Is falsa have vitamin C?
Yes. Falsa has Vitamin C in it. A 100 g of falsa has 4.385g of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid).