Contents:
- Medical Video: Is Pasteurized Milk Safe During Pregnancy?
- Research on pregnant women drinking UHT milk
- So may pregnant women not drink UHT milk?
Medical Video: Is Pasteurized Milk Safe During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the nutritional needs of pregnant women increase. Extra vitamins and minerals are needed for fetal development. Starting from the intake of fruits and vegetables to milk must be fulfilled. Many types of milk on the market, one of them is UHT milk. However, many prospective mothers wonder, may pregnant women drink UHT milk? Check out the answer here.
Research on pregnant women drinking UHT milk
Milk contains calcium, protein, folate, and vitamin D which are important for pregnant women and fetuses. These nutrients increase blood supply, support the growth of tissues, bones and brains of the baby, and prevent babies born with low weight. In addition, milk also maintains body fluid balance and can prevent nausea or heartburn during pregnancy.
One type of milk, namely UHT milk, is quite popular in people's consumption. UHT milk (ultra high temperature) is milk that is heated to 150 degrees Celsius to kill harmful pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, or enzymes that damage milk.
After being heated, this milk is packed in a container to avoid contamination and so it can last longer. This is the reason why many people are interested in drinking UHT milk.
Reporting from The Guardian, a study conducted by the University of Reading in the United Kingdom showed that pregnant women who switched to using organic milk or UHT milk alone could interfere with fetal brain development. Why is that?
Researchers explain that organic milk and UHT milk have 30 percent less iodine than conventional fresh milk. Iodine is an important mineral that contributes to fetal brain development. In addition, iodine is also needed for thyroid hormones to work well in regulating metabolism.
So may pregnant women not drink UHT milk?
"Organic milk and UHT milk are not harmful, drinking milk actually offers many health benefits. However, to get the same amount of iodine as one liter of fresh milk, you need to drink about 1.5 liters of organic milk or UHT milk, said Professor Ian Givens, chair of research at the University of Reading.
Although research shows the risk of UHT milk for the fetus, it does not mean pregnant women are prohibited from drinking UHT milk at all. Pregnant women can still enjoy UHT milk as long as iodine and other nutrients are fulfilled. So, don't just rely on UHT milk to meet iodine needs. You can fulfill iodine needs from various foods such as seaweed, shrimp, fish, eggs, and iodized salt.
In addition to UHT milk, pregnant women may also drink pasteurized milk or skim milk (low fat). What should be avoided is unpasteurized milk (raw milk).This type of milk still contains microbes which are feared to infect the baby and the mother. Although rare, raw milk can cause food poisoning (listeriosis) because it contains bacteriaListeria monocytogenes.
Remember, drinking all types of milk also has its limits, don't drink too much or drink it after eating. This can increase calorie intake and make weight gain. Excessive weight during pregnancy can increase the risk of gestational diabetes. It is better to consult a doctor or nutritionist to choose the best type of milk during pregnancy, while controlling the intake of milk and other foods.
