A new study by University of Wisconsin (United States) confirms that pregnant women must absolutely avoid consuming cheese soft cheese (brie, camembert, brillat-savarin …) during their pregnancy.
According to the researchers, this eviction should be imperative from the first weeks of pregnancy because of the risk of miscarriage.
Listeriosis can cause spontaneous abortion
Soft cheeses can contain listeria, a bacteria that is very common in animal products. Catching listeriosis can cause spontaneous abortion or premature delivery. “This is why we advise future mothers to consume only hard cheeses. But what our study reveals is that this risk is particularly increased and serious in early pregnancy” explains Dr. Ted Golos, professor of obstetrics at the University of Wisconsin and lead author of the study.
Listeria causes unexplained miscarriages
For this study, four pregnant macaque females were fed doses of listeria comparable to those found in contaminated food. None of them showed any symptoms until they miscarried.
By analyzing the tissues, the researchers found that the bacteria had invaded the placenta, which is supposed to serve as a barrier for external infections, as well as the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).
“We believe that attempts by the mother’s immune system to eliminate the bacteria from the placenta lead to collateral damage that prevents protection of the fetus.” underlines the doctor.
The latter points out that listeriosis is undoubtedly the cause of many unexplained miscarriages, given that the disease rarely causes symptoms in mothers-to-be.
“There are effective antibiotics available. Unfortunately, because listeriosis is asymptomatic, the fetus is affected before it is known that the mother has developed the disease.”.
Read also :
How to organize your fridge properly?
Pregnancy: 5 foods to absolutely avoid
