Having honey while pregnant is supposed to be beneficial for your health. Honey is known to contain small amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can be beneficial for both the expectant mother and the developing fetus. Be it a cough, cold, or sore throat, honey is a go-to. But is too much honey bad? Read on to know the benefits of honey during pregnancy and the possible side effects.
Is Honey Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?
Honey is safe during pregnancy, provided it is pasteurized (1). Also, it should come from a government-certified authority. One cause of concern about raw honey is that it can cause botulism (2). However, it only affects babies less than a year old as their digestive system is immature. The gastrointestinal system in adults contains bacteria that prevent botulinum toxin, and it is rare for a pregnant woman to get colonization botulism (3). However, precaution is better than cure, and therefore, it is wise to use only pasteurized honey during pregnancy.
Benefits Of Honey During Pregnancy
Honey comprises water (17%) and two simple sugars, fructose (38%) and glucose (31%). In addition, it has certain bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. However, the concentration of these compounds is very low, and they may not have any significant effect on health (4). Dr. Daniel Boyer, MD, a practicing doctor at Farr Institute, Iowa, says, “In addition to being high in antioxidants, honey can help soothe the digestive system and make it more acidic. The presence of polyphenols and other beneficial compounds in honey may help reduce the risk of complications, including yeast infections and UTIs, during pregnancy.” Still, honey has a special place in traditional medicine, as it is considered to have therapeutic properties that could be considered beneficial during pregnancy.
Side Effects Of Honey During Pregnancy
It is good to have all foods in moderation, as an excess of anything may have side-effects. Dr. Boyer opines, “It is important to remember that while honey has many benefits, it can also contain high amounts of sugar. Therefore, pregnant women should be mindful of how much honey they are consuming.” Excessive consumption of honey can lead to certain side effects, as mentioned below.
How Much Honey Is Safe During Pregnancy?
There is no documented safe limit for the consumption of honey, especially for pregnant ladies. Therefore, it is wise to consult a nutritionist to determine your safe limit. When you try to gauge the safe limit, remember that calories from simple sugars should not exceed more than 10% of the total calorie requirement during pregnancy (which is around 1800 to 2400 calories per day).
Precautions To Take While Eating Honey
There are some ways in which honey should not be taken:
Do not add honey in hot water or beverages as it might eliminate its healthy enzymes. You may add it to lukewarm water.
Avoid mixing honey to bean curd as it can reverse the benefits and lead to indigestion.
Tips For Choosing Honey
If the quality of honey is good, consumption should not be an issue, even for pregnant women.
Double-check if the honey is pasteurized. Almost all brands sell pasteurized honey. However, the honey purchased from roadside sellers, bee farms, or local markets will mostly be raw and hence must be avoided. Choose trusted, organic honey as it undergoes minimal processing.
If you are unsure of which honey to eat, discuss it with your medical practitioner.
Can You Take Manuka Honey When Pregnant?
Manuka honey is safe to take unless you are allergic to it. It is natural and healthy, and there is also no evidence that manuka is unsafe for consumption during pregnancy. However, you should check with your doctor or a nutritionist before using it, since there is limited information about its safety (17). Dr. Boyer recommends, “Manuka honey is safe when pregnant, provided you follow one important rule: only use manuka honey that has been certified as pure and unadulterated. The certification assures you that the honey has not been contaminated with toxic chemicals in manufacturing or storage.”
