In addition to increasing the appetite for taste thanks to the characteristic sweetness, there are many effects of honey on pregnant women that you should not ignore.
In the following article, aFamilyToday Health will join you to find out whether pregnant women should eat honey without the benefits and risks that come.
Experts have identified it is safe for pregnant women to eat honey, as long as the product has passed a sterilization process.
One cause of concern about raw honey is possible poisoning. However, this risk only affects infants under one year of age because their digestive systems are immature. Meanwhile, the adult digestive system contains botulinum bacteria, which are able to prevent the poisoning process.
Some of the advantages of honey for pregnant women include:
Reducing insomnia: Condition insomnia while pregnant easily upset any pregnant mother does. However, do not worry because there are solutions made from natural ingredients. Drinking a cup of hot milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey before going to bed will help pregnant mothers get a good night's sleep.
Boosts the immune system: The antibacterial and antioxidant properties of honey help increase the body's immunity. Honey's effects on pregnant women can also include healing scratches, minor burns and heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid.
Relieve colds and coughs: Honey's antiviral properties inhibit the activity of viruses in the body to help prevent colds. In addition, one effect of honey for pregnant women is that it acts as an effective cough suppressant.
Sore throat relief: When you have a sore throat, pregnant mothers should think of honey to help relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Usage is also quite simple, you just need to add a teaspoon of honey to ginger tea or warm lemon juice is enough.
Treatment of ulcers: Studies have shown that regular honey consumption can help reduce the growth of Helicobacter pylori, the agent that causes stomach ulcers during pregnancy.
Improving scalp health: The effect of honey on pregnant women is not only limited to the "good in" but also "good outside" effect. If you are bothered by an itchy scalp and dandruff, boil some honey with warm water and apply it to the scalp to alleviate such hair conditions.
Rich in antioxidants: Antioxidants have long been hailed as a secret weapon against free radicals. When pregnant women, antioxidants are essential because they not only provide additional shields from the worst effects of free radicals, but also protect their health by improving the immune system.
Increased energy levels: During pregnancy, there will be times when you feel exhausted for no reason. Some experts believe that the growing baby in the womb makes pregnant women spend a lot of energy to serve the development needs of the baby and that hormonal changes can make pregnant women easily tired. . Honey is rich in healthy calories and will be a great energy booster.
Honey is very good for pregnant mothers if you use it with a moderate amount. One tablespoon of honey contains nearly 8.6 grams of sugar. Therefore, only use a maximum of about 5 tablespoons of honey per day, this dose is equivalent to 180-200 calories.
If you abuse honey, pregnant women may experience certain side effects, such as:
Increased insulin sensitivity: Honey increases blood sugar levels and, more importantly, insulin resistance because it is not safe for pregnant women to consume more than 25g of fructose per day.
Spasms: Eating too much honey leads to stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation and bloating. This food also increases acidity in the body, thereby affecting the digestive tract and slowing digestion.
Effect on oral health: The high sugar content in honey can cause tooth decay during pregnancy and tooth wear.
Weight gain: The rich amount of calories in honey will easily make pregnant mothers gain weight during pregnancy.
Some notes for pregnant women when using honey for the best health benefits:
Prioritize pasteurized honey products
Organic honey is a good suggestion as the product doesn't have to go through too much processing
Avoid adding honey to hot beverages as the heat removes beneficial enzymes
Never add honey to foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin D as the minerals in honey destroy the benefits of these vitamins.
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