Table of contents:
During pregnancy, the nutritional needs of pregnant women increase. These 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 are circulating in the market, one of which is UHT milk. However, many prospective mothers are wondering, can pregnant women drink UHT milk? Check out the answer here.
Research on pregnant women drinking UHT milk
Source: Livestrong
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 the baby's tissues, bones and brains, and prevent babies from being born with low birth weight. In addition, milk also maintains the balance of body fluids and can prevent nausea or heartburn during pregnancy.
One type of milk, namely UHT milk, is quite popular for public consumption. UHT Milk (ultra high temperature) is milk that is heated to 150 degrees Celsius to kill harmful pathogens such as mold, bacteria, or enzymes that destroy milk.
After heating, this milk is packaged in a container to avoid contamination and so that 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 UK shows that pregnant women who switch to using organic milk or UHT milk alone can interfere with fetal brain development. Why is that?
Researchers explain that organic milk and UHT milk have 30 percent lower iodine levels than conventionally produced fresh milk. Iodine is an essential mineral that is essential for fetal brain development. In addition, iodine is also needed by thyroid hormones to work properly in regulating metabolism.
So can pregnant women drink UHT milk?
Source: Tinystep
"Organic milk and UHT milk are not harmful, drinking milk actually offers many health benefits. However, to get an amount of iodine that is equivalent to one liter of regular fresh milk, you need to drink about 1.5 liters of organic or UHT milk, ”said Professor Ian Givens, head of research at the University of Reading.
Although research shows that there is a risk of UHT milk for the fetus, it does not mean that pregnant women should not drink UHT milk at all. Pregnant women can still enjoy UHT milk as long as the iodine needs and other nutrients are fulfilled. So, don't rely on UHT milk alone to meet your iodine needs. You can meet your iodine needs from various foods such as seaweed, shrimp, fish, eggs, and iodized salt.
Apart from UHT milk, pregnant women can 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 that are feared to infect the baby and the mother. Although rare, raw milk can cause food poisoning (listeriosis) because it contains bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.
Remember, there are limits to drinking all types of milk, don't drink too much or drink it after eating. This can increase your calorie intake and make you gain weight. Excess 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, as well as control the intake of milk and other foods.
x
