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Is honey allowed in pregnancy? Can honey harm a pregnant woman or baby? Does the consumption of honey during pregnancy carry any risks? Is there any kind of allergic reaction? The question is answered by the drug. Anna Mitschke.
Can you eat honey during pregnancy?
Good day. I am 3 months pregnant, this is my first pregnancy. You hear a lot about the foods you should or shouldn’t eat during pregnancy. And recently I was wondering if you can eat pregnant honey? Before pregnancy, I ate honey quite often, I may not be a foodie, but I like it. I have always associated honey with something healthy, it is said, among others, about tea with honey and lemon for a cold or Fr. milk with honey for a sore throat.
Can you eat honey when pregnant? I read a bit on the internet about it, but I couldn’t find any specific information – I have the impression that there are so many opinions on this matter as many places. How does it look from a doctor’s point of view? Can honey somehow harm a baby? Recently I felt the urge to try it, but then I remembered that it was a bee product and I don’t know if there is any risk of allergy or something similar. In the end I didn’t eat that honey, I decided to ask first. Can I get an answer?
The doctor explains if you can eat honey during pregnancy
Honey is not contraindicated in pregnancy. However, it can sensitize, so not every pregnant woman will tolerate it. The main ingredients of honey are carbohydrates and water, but also enzymes, natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Honey can be helpful in the fight against ailments in pregnancy, such as nausea and vomiting. During an infection, honey soothes the throat irritation and can even be helpful with an existing cough. Although honey has many positive properties, it is not recommended in a few cases. It should not be given to children under 1 year of age because it may contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Bacteria are capable of botulin production, or botulinum toxin. Spores of botulism bacteria (a spore form that allows the bacteria to survive in unfavorable conditions) are found in the soil and from there are carried by bees, which then contaminate the honey. After you eat honey, the bacteria in your body become active and start producing botulinum toxin, which is a powerful neurotoxin that causes muscle contractions. Usually, the amount of bacteria present in honey is small and thus harmless to a healthy adult, including pregnant women. However, the digestive system of infants is not fully developed and therefore even a small amount of bacteria can be a threat to a child.
Due to the large simple sugar content consumption of honey is not recommended for people with impaired carbohydrate metabolism. The fructose found in honey does not release insulin, and as a result causes a reduced release of leptin after a meal, a hormone responsible for long-term regulation of the body’s energy balance. Fructose does not inhibit the secretion of ghrelin (the hunger hormone). These processes can lead to excessive caloric intake and weight gain. Therefore, you should consume honey in moderation.
— Lek. Anna Mitchke
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