Is It Safe To Eat Honey While Breastfeeding?

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During breastfeeding, most of us are in a dilemma regarding what foods are safe and unsafe for nursing mothers. Including honey while breastfeeding is one such topic of discussion. Although babies who are less than a year old are not given honey directly as it might increase the chances of infant botulism, it is safe to be consumed by the mother.Honey contains high levels offructoseⁱXA sweetener naturally present in fruits, honey, and vegetables.and glucose, important for giving stamina to the breastfeeding mother.It is also known to be rich inantioxidantsⁱXSubstances that may prevent or slow down some types of cell damage caused due to harmful molecules called free radicals.and antibacterial properties that help in strengthening the immune system. Read about the safety of having honey while breastfeeding, its benefits, and possible side effects.

Is It Safe To Have Honey While Breastfeeding?

Yes, a nursing mother can eat good qualitypasteurizedⁱXThe act of killing germs by heating a product to a specific temperature for a specified time.honey. However, it is good to avoid raw honey, which has high chances of containing spores ofClostridium botulinumⁱXA bacteria that creates toxic substances when exposed to low oxygen levels.which may adversely affect maternal health.

Since the botulism spores are killed in the gastrointestinal tract of the mother, they would not enter into the bloodstream or make their way into thebreast milk. Moreover, the spores are too big to pass into the mother’s milk and even the botulinum toxin does not pass into breast milk(1). Rest assured, breast milk is certainly not a source of the toxin or the bacterial spores causing infant botulism.

Unlike adults, babies’ immaturedigestive system lacksenough acidity in the stomach to kill botulism causing bacteria.If the baby happens to ingest raw honey containing botulism spores, they may colonize in his large intestine to producebotulinum neurotoxinⁱXA muscle-paralyzing toxin that affects the nervous system.leading to infant botulism.

While you cannot give honey directly to a baby less than 6 months of age, consumption during motherhood does not pose any risk to the infant.

Precautions To Be Taken While Eating Honey During Breastfeeding

If you are a nursing mother and have a habit of taking honey regularly, you may continue doing so, but follow these precautions:

• Make it a practice to wash your hands thoroughly to rule out the chance of botulism spores possibly stuck on your hands and fingers, to avoid passing them on to the baby.
• Check the manufacturing and expiry dates before you buy a bottle of honey.

• Choose a good quality honey that is well-processed and pasteurized.
• Consume in moderate amounts.
• Discuss with your doctor regarding the honey types and the one that best suits your needs.

Benefits of Honey To A Breastfeeding Mother

Honey, one of the oldest sweeteners on earth, offers numerous health benefits due to its nutritional composition and various bioactive compounds. While the composition of honey varies based on its floral source and geographic location, it typically consists of mono and disaccharide sugars, water, enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. It also contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The accompanying graph presents the percentage composition of these nutrients in honey.

Composition of honey

Source:The immunomodulatory effects of honey and associated flavonoids in cancer; Nutrients

Honey is one of the oldest natural sweeteners on earth with several health benefits.

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• It adds to the overall nutrition as it contains iron and small amounts of calcium, folate,vitamins Cand B.
• Locally made honey may even help boost a mother’s immunity.
• It is helpful in treating wounds, diabetic ulcers, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
• Can treatcolitisⁱXSwelling of the lining of the large intestine., cold symptoms, and sore throat.
• Prevents cancer and heart diseases.

When Should A Nursing Mother Avoid Honey?

There is a lack of scientific evidence on the side effects of the usage of honey during pregnancy or lactation. In general, it is good to avoid honey if you are sensitive to pollen, celery, or other bee-related allergies. Also, avoid honey extracted from plants belonging to the Rhododendron genus due to potential toxicity. Caution is advised in people with diabetes or low blood sugar. Talk to your doctor before adding honey to your diet.

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