Contents:
- Medical Video: Should you take probiotics when pregnant?
- Is it safe to take probiotics while pregnant?
- What are the benefits of taking probiotics while pregnant?
Medical Video: Should you take probiotics when pregnant?
Probiotics are good bacteria that are similar to natural microorganisms found in your intestine. Of course, drinking probiotics is good for your body. Taking probiotics can increase good bacteria in the intestine so that it can improve your intestinal health. However, what about pregnant women, is drinking probiotics during pregnancy safe?
Is it safe to take probiotics while pregnant?
Probiotics are a group of bacteria. The most commonly used bacteria as bacteria are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces. Maybe you will be afraid to take probiotics after you know that probiotics are bacteria. However, this is not what you think. The bacteria in probiotics are good bacteria that are also needed by your body.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, probiotics are safe to drink during pregnancy. However, maybe not all types of probiotics are safe for consumption during pregnancy. This is because research is still limited, while there are many types of probiotics. However, the National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health states that taking probiotics during pregnancy may be safe because the data show probiotic supplements are absorbed slightly by the body.
Although probiotics that you can get from food or supplements are generally safe to consume while pregnant, you still need to pay attention to their consumption. We recommend that you consume enough probiotics. Foods that contain probiotics may be enough for you, no need to take probiotic supplements. If you have a disease or condition that is related to your immune system, you should discuss it first with your doctor before taking probiotic supplements.
What are the benefits of taking probiotics while pregnant?
Foods that contain probiotics are generally safe and provide many benefits for you if consumed in amounts that are not excessive. Some of the benefits that probiotics can give in pregnancy are:
- Reducing the risk of pregnancy complications. A study published in the 2013 Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine states that taking probiotics during pregnancy can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Probiotics are proven to reduce blood sugar levels and help the body absorb nutrients and convert food into energy. Pregnant women who consume probiotics are also smaller in weight compared to pregnant women who do not take probiotics.
- Helps treat bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women.Bacterial vaginosis is an infection in the vagina which can increase the risk of premature delivery. By taking probiotics that contain good bacteria, you help the body fight the bad bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis. So, it also helps reduce the risk of premature delivery.
- Improve intestinal health. Probiotics can help increase good bacteria in the body and get rid of bad bacteria in the body. So, probiotics improve the health of your intestines and prevent various diseases related to the intestine, such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal inflammation.
- Improve immunity. Well maintained intestinal health while simultaneously increasing your immune system. According to a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the composition and balance of microbes in the intestine during pregnancy has an important role in maintaining immune and intestinal health, and contributes to the health of newborn intestines.
