During pregnancy, women should pay special attention to their diet to avoid the risks that certain foods pose to their health and that of the fetus. One of the risks to consider is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can have serious consequences during pregnancy. Is there a risk of contracting toxoplasmosis consuming honey during pregnancy? Many of you ask yourself. So today we explore this topic in detail and analyze the relationship between honey consumption and the transmission of this disease.
What is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This can live both in our cells and in the cells of animals, with cats and farm animals being the main hosts of the parasite.
This parasite can spread from soil and water to plants, animals and humans. AND the cats They play an important role in its spread. These animals become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. The parasite is then passed into the cats' feces. And you can unintentionally expose yourself to the disease by touching your mouth after changing the litter in the cat litter box or doing yard work without wearing gloves.
Although it is also possible to become infected by drinking contaminated water, consume unwashed fruits and vegetables neither peel nor eat undercooked meats. And what role does honey have in all this? You may be asking yourself this question, which we try to answer below.
Honey consumption and risk of toxoplasmosis
Honey It is not considered a high risk food in the transmission of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, since it is not a favorable environment for the survival of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Therefore, under normal conditions, honey consumption does not represent a significant risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. However, especially in the case of pregnant women, there are certain characteristics that should be paid attention to.
Toxoplasmosis is transmitted without causing any symptoms, but things change during pregnancy. Therefore, it is usually important to take extreme precautions and avoid the consumption of raw or unpasteurized honey, which could contain other microorganisms harmful to pregnancy.
Pay attention to hygiene and quality of products It is key during pregnancy and honey is no exception. To stay calm, opt for commercial honeys and avoid all those that are offered to you and whose origin you do not know.
How should I consume honey during pregnancy?
Honey is a delicious option to sweeten your preparations during pregnancy. However, it is important not only that you avoid the consumption of raw or unpasteurized honey, but that you also consume it in moderation.
Remember that during pregnancy it is essential to maintain a balanced and varied diet and although honey is a natural sweetener, you should not exceed one tablespoon per day. It's a general recommendation, of course, so always remember to consult with your doctor or nutrition specialist.
Dangers of contracting toxoplasmosis during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when a woman's immune system is weakened, so the possibility of contract toxoplasmosis increases. During pregnancy there is also the opportunity for the parasite crosses the placental barrier and affect the fetus.
If the parasite reaches the fetus, complications during pregnancy and consequences for the fetus can be important, especially if the infection occurs in the first trimester. And although only 10% of the babies born with toxoplasmosis Intrauterine infection presents consequences, these can be important, such as eye infection or ear problems, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice or pneumonia. In the most serious cases, reaching intellectual disability, hydrocephalus, hearing loss, etc.
Regarding pregnancy, toxoplasmosis can also affect its proper development, leading to spontaneous abortion in the most serious cases.