Can you eat jellyfish when pregnant?

In this article we are going to answer can you eat jellyfish when pregnant, what is jellyfish, what is the risk of eating high aluminum levels in jellyfish when pregnant, how can you eat safely jellyfish when pregnant, and what are the benefits of eating jellyfish and what is the risk of eating jellyfish when pregnant. 

Can you eat jellyfish when pregnant?

Yes, pregnant women can safely consume jellyfish when pregnant. As long as it has been cooked thoroughly it is safe to eat when pregnant. It can be eaten in many ways, including shredded or sliced thinly and tossed with sugar, soy sauce, oil, and vinegar in salads. 

It is very important to eat fully cooked jellyfish when pregnant and moderate your intake of jellyfish because they can be a high aluminum source. Aluminum can cause birth defects in unborn babies. 

What is jellyfish?

Jellyfish is a medusa-phase of certain gelatinous members of the Medusa family. Jellyfish are mainly free-swimming marine animals that have umbrella-shaped bells and trailing tentacles. The bells can pulsate to provide propulsion. The arms have stinging cells that are used to capture prey and defend from predators. 

Jellyfish are found all over the world from surface waters to the deep sea. They are eaten by humans in some cultures, especially in Asia and Australia. In Australia, they are described as perfect food, sustainable and protein-rich but relatively low in calories. 

Thousands of swimmers have been injured by the stinging cells of jellyfish. They can cause mild discomfort to serious injuries. 

Some jellyfish are safe to consume while others are toxic to humans. 

How can you safely eat jellyfish when pregnant?

There are 11 jellyfish species that have been proven to be safe to eat by humans. It is traditionally preserved by using an alum-salt mixture to dehydrate the meat and make it last longer. 

There are several studies that jellyfish that are preserved with alum-salt, cleans, and processed with the correct methods had little to no signs of contamination by bacteria or other pathogens that can be dangerous to humans. 

Jellyfish should be creamy and white in color. It turns yellow when it ages. Yellow color products are still safe to eat but when jellyfish turn brown they are spoiled and unsafe to eat. 

Especially pregnant women need to be aware of color changes in jellyfish because food poisoning can be very dangerous in pregnant women. 

What is the risk of eating high aluminum levels in jellyfish when pregnant?

Aluminum has been proven to be teratogenic. One study in 2016, showed that high aluminum concentration may increase the risk of delivering a child with a congenital heart defect such as a septal defect, a conotruncal heart defect, and right-side obstruction. 

Jellyfish are preserved in aluminum salt. According to the Center for Food Safety in Beijing, since 2010 there are guidelines on the use of aluminum-containing food additives to prevent any side effects in humans. 

They urged pregnant women to eat in moderation jellyfish and to reduce their exposure to aluminum from a small range of items. 

What are the benefits of eating jellyfish when pregnant?

Jellyfish are linked to several benefits, especially in Asia which are most common to eat. They have been linked, according to Asian culture, to help treat high blood pressure, arthritis, bone pain, ulcers, and digestive issues. Most of these claims have not been confirmed by science.

High in nutrients

Jellyfish, depending on the species, tend to be low in calories while being a good source of protein, antioxidants, and several minerals. 58 grams of jellyfish, about a cup, have 3 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and are rich in selenium, choline, and iron. 

Rich in omegas

According to some studies, fat in jellyfish is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega 3 and omega 6 which are essential to baby brain and nervous system development.

Contain Polyphenols

They are also rich in polyphenols, natural compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant activity and can help to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. 

High in choline and selenium

Choline is an essential mineral for pregnant women. It is part of many functions in the body and most important is part of DNA synthesis. It helps in the correct development of a baby’s nervous system. 

Selenium is another nutrient found in jellyfish. It has been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Good source of collagen

Jellyfish have a high content of collagen. It has been studied that collagen in jellyfish can have an important role in lowering blood pressure. One study showed that collagen from the ribbon of jellyfish has activity in lowering blood pressure. 

Here is a recipe for sesame jellyfish, I recommend you stir fry it

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat jellyfish when pregnant, what is jellyfish, what is the risk of eating high aluminum levels in jellyfish when pregnant, how can you eat safely jellyfish when pregnant, what are the benefits of eating jellyfish, and what is the risk of eating jellyfish when pregnant. 

Citation

https://canie.at/food/jellyfish

​​https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26707789/

https://foodsalternative.com/can-you-eat-jellyfish-safe/

https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_43_03.html