Since ancient times, honey has been one of the products most respected by our ancestors. Due to its beneficial properties, this delicacy is still considered a source of vitamins and a universal folk medicine. And who, if not a pregnant woman, needs natural vitamins for the development and growth of the fetus? But due to the high allergenicity of this product, experts warn expectant mothers. In early pregnancy, honey can be attributed to those types of vitamin treats that can have not only a positive, but also a negative effect.
The beneficial effect of honey
The benefits of using honey can be talked about endlessly. The main useful properties and examples of the positive effect of this product on a woman’s body are as follows:
- The high content of vitamins and minerals in the product, in particular: vitamins A, C, E, K, PP, group B, as well as iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese and other elements important for the pregnant woman's body.
- Due to the high concentration of iron, this product is used as an aid to eliminate iron deficiency in expectant mothers. The intake of honey during pregnancy in the early stages is especially relevant, since by the beginning of the third trimester the level of hemoglobin in the woman’s blood is significantly reduced, which is the reason for the development of anemia.
- The antiseptic that is part of the treat contributes to the rapid healing of wounds.
- Prevention of colds. Honey is often positioned as a universal means of combating viral infections. Indeed, this product has a restorative effect and often contributes to a quick recovery. Strong immunity is the guarantee of health not only for mothers, but also for unborn babies, therefore, regular intake of honey during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of seasonal diseases (spring, autumn).
- A positive effect on the circulatory system improves blood circulation. Due to the beneficial qualities of honey, blood vessels expand, therefore, the supply of organs and tissues with oxygen improves, the work of the heart muscle normalizes, and blood pressure stabilizes. For women suffering from hypertension, during pregnancy, taking honey becomes an especially relevant preventive measure.
- Beneficial effect on the reproductive function of both sexes. Even our ancestors believed that honey promotes rapid conception, and taking a beekeeping product by a pregnant woman helps to give birth to a strong and healthy baby.
- Help with toxicosis. It is believed that honey during pregnancy is much more effective than other means, including medications, to cope with acute manifestations of toxicosis.
- As a way to deal with changes in the skin of a woman. It is believed that the product applied to the skin helps to avoid stretch marks in the abdomen and chest.
- Treatment of diseases of the digestive system. During pregnancy, when the use of most medications is contraindicated, honey comes to the aid in the treatment of symptoms of gastritis, as well as the normalization of the intestines. In particular, honey can cope with such a frequent problem during pregnancy, as constipation.
Why can’t you take honey?
Experts name several reasons:
- The main one is the development of allergic reactions due to the use of the product. In some cases, the ban on taking honey during pregnancy is total (when the body does not accept all bee products, without exception), in other cases it is restrictive (when only certain types of honey can be consumed). And in fact, and in another case, this product must be treated with caution.
- Restrictions on entering honey during pregnancy are also imposed for people who are overweight and have diabetes. In such cases, the product should be taken only after prior consultation with the doctor and in moderation.
- Inhalation with the use of this product in the treatment of colds is categorically contraindicated for people who have heart problems, lungs, and also asthmatics.
- In no case should you conduct honey procedures at elevated body temperature.
- The sudden occurrence of unpleasant sensations can cause a rejection of this product, because often the tastes and reactions of the body of a pregnant woman are reversed.
In the absence of the listed deviations in health and allergies, honey is indicated for regular use, in particular during pregnancy.
How much honey can future mothers take?
For any, even the most useful, product, there are limits on consumption. All good things should be in moderation.
Expectant mothers are often interested in whether it is possible to have honey during pregnancy and in what quantities? There are limits to this product. An acceptable amount of goodies that can be consumed during the day is fifty to one hundred grams (approximately two to three tablespoons).
To maintain beneficial properties, take honey unheated (the temperature of the product should not exceed forty-two degrees). Therefore, use honey in its natural form with a bite of tea, but without dissolving the product in boiling water. Such a sweetness can easily replace the usual sweets (sweets, sugar, chocolate). You can just put honey under the tongue and drink tea. By the way, the method of sublingual administration of drugs is considered the most effective.
To the question of whether honey can be used during pregnancy, it is worth saying that even in the absence of allergic reactions to this product, one should not use it in large quantities. Start with one or two teaspoons per day.
What sort of stop?
There are no special recommendations when choosing a honey variety during pregnancy. If the future mother has no contraindications to the use of this product, then any available variety of sweets can be introduced into the diet.
Certain types of honey are preferable to take to solve certain health problems.
For example, in the fight against the manifestations of the common cold, linden honey is a good help.
The buckwheat product is rich in iron, therefore it is recommended for use by pregnant women suffering from anemia. Such a product is also useful for mothers with heart diseases. For example, with heart failure or cardiac arrhythmias. Buckwheat honey contains a large amount of potassium, which helps strengthen the heart muscle.
Honey collected by bees from acacia flowers is considered the most valuable and useful variety. Acacia product is often used to treat diseases of the stomach and urinary system.
Honey and tea
Tea with honey is the most common way to consume this useful product, a kind of first aid for signs of colds and flu. Indeed, honey alleviates symptoms and helps to cope with malaise.
Some mothers inject honey into their daily diet in order to prevent diseases and strengthen immunity.
In addition to the usual tea, this product is recommended to be combined with other drinks, for example, brew rose hips, chamomile, add mint to tea, infuse tea on dried leaves of berry and fruit plants. Instead of black, you can brew green tea. Honey during pregnancy in combination with herbal and berry drinks helps to reduce nervous tension, replenish vitality, and stops the symptoms of toxicosis in early pregnancy. The main thing is to observe the temperature regime, since at high temperatures, honey loses its useful properties and begins to secrete carcinogens. Therefore, it is important that the temperature of the prepared drinks does not exceed forty-five degrees.
Honey and milk
A spoonful of honey in a glass of warmed milk is a good way to combat insomnia. It also helps to combat nervous disorders, discomfort in the larynx with colds, toxicosis.
In addition, milk with honey during pregnancy helps to cope with heartburn. It's no secret that the overwhelming majority of expectant mothers are faced with unpleasant manifestations of gastritis. A useful combination of milk with honey during pregnancy soothes the mucous membrane of the stomach and reduces the acidity of the gastric secretion. Both healthy and tasty.
Honey and Black Radish
An ideal combination for the treatment of bronchitis, cough as a symptom of a cold, laryngitis. However, an important feature of a product such as radish should be taken into account. The fact is that the composition of this root crop includes a fairly large number of essential oils, which are not recommended for women during pregnancy. Essential oils increase the tone of the uterus, which can lead to spontaneous abortion. Therefore, treatment with a combination of radish and honey should be treated with extreme caution, especially in the early stages of pregnancy.
A cough medicine is prepared like this. A groove is cut out in the center of the root crop, which is half filled with honey. After the juice appears, the medicine is ready for use. You can take this mixture one tablespoon three times a day. The duration of treatment is about seven days. Remember that even healthy products should not be abused!
Honey and lemon
Universal tandem. Lemon and honey during pregnancy with a cold is an excellent tool that is widely used as a prophylaxis. The recipe is simple. Half a lemon, diced, mixed with two teaspoons of honey and taken three times a day.
Honey and onions
An alternative way to treat cough and other symptoms of SARS. Finely chopped half of the onion is mixed, as in the previous recipe, with two tablespoons of honey. Onion slices can be replaced with juice and mixed with a beekeeping product.
Caution is advised to use this combination of products for pregnant women with diseases of the digestive system, since onion juice can provoke an attack of heartburn.
Agave and honey
The juice of the leaves of an indoor aloe plant, known to many as “agave,” in combination with honey, is an effective medicine in the fight against symptoms of chronic gastritis, as well as against attacks of dry cough. Squeezed aloe juice mixed with honey is used one teaspoon three times a day.
In conclusion, all of the above, we can safely advise honey for use by pregnant women. But remember! When introducing this product into the diet, do not forget to strictly follow the recommendations received. You can consume honey during pregnancy, but with caution. Do not take it uncontrollably and in large quantities.