During pregnancy, expectant mothers need to pay attention to balanced diet, follow the doctor’s guidance, and avoid consuming foods that may be harmful to the body. There are some popular beliefs about diet during pregnancy, such as whether consuming soy sauce during pregnancy will darken the baby’s skin. Is this viewpoint correct?
In fact, pregnant women can safely consume soy sauce in moderation, as soy sauce does not directly affect the baby’s skin pigmentation. The color of soy sauce comes from the process of heating maltose to form caramel, mixed with soy sauce to create varying shades of color. This pigment cannot be absorbed by the bloodstream, nor can it pass through the placenta into the baby’s body, thus it will not cause the baby’s skin to darken.
The baby’s skin color is mainly determined by genetics and pigmentation, not by the amount of soy sauce consumed by the pregnant woman. Skin color is controlled by genetic factors related to race, mainly depending on the amount of melanin in the body. Melanin abundance results in darker skin, while its scarcity leads to lighter skin. Melanin production is influenced by factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and hormones secreted during the menstrual cycle can also stimulate melanin formation.
In conclusion, skin color is closely linked to genetics, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and other factors, not to the consumption of soy sauce by pregnant women. Pregnant women can safely consume soy sauce in moderation.
As for nursing mothers, can they consume soy sauce? The answer is yes. Soy sauce, as a natural seasoning, not only enhances the flavor of food, stimulates appetite, but also provides certain nutritional value, like lowering cholesterol, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and offering natural antioxidant components. Moderate consumption of soy sauce during lactation will not adversely affect breast milk production or harm the baby’s health. However, due to its high salt content, intake should be controlled to prevent placing additional strain on the kidneys. A lactating mother’s diet should be predominantly light, while ensuring balanced nutrition to support the baby’s healthy growth.
