Why are pregnant women recommended substantial intake of green leafy vegetables in their diet, especially in the 1st trimester ?

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Q: 23 (CDS-II/2010)
Why are pregnant women recommended substantial intake of green leafy vegetables in their diet, especially in the 1st trimester ?

question_subject: 

Science

question_exam: 

CDS-II

stats: 

0,34,31,5,10,34,16

keywords: 

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Pregnant women are recommended to consume a substantial amount of green leafy vegetables, especially in the first trimester, for several reasons.

Option 1: Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of chlorophyll. While chlorophyll is beneficial for overall health, it is not specifically related to the needs of pregnant women in the first trimester.

Option 2: Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of lecithin. Lecithin is important for the health of the liver, brain, and nervous system, but it is not necessarily a primary reason for recommending its consumption during pregnancy.

Option 3 (Correct Answer): Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of folic acid, which is required for DNA synthesis. Folic acid is essential for the development of the fetal neural tube, which forms the baby`s brain and spinal cord. Adequate intake of folic acid during the first trimester can help prevent neural tube defects. That`s why it is recommended for pregnant women.

Option 4: Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of essential fatty acids required for cell anabolism. While essential fatty acids are important for overall health, they are not specifically related to the needs of pregnant women in the first trimester.

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