Fruits are sure sources of dietary fibers and confer lots of health benefits on their consumers, apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular drinks that has found favor in the eyes of wellness enthusiasts, but can this fruit apple cider vinegar be taken during pregnancy?
Of course, any pregnant woman would want the well-being and safety of her unborn baby; she ensures she eats the right food and in its appropriate proportion.
Therefore it’s ok to ask the question, “Can you drink apple cider vinegar when pregnant?”.
There are lots of foods that are restricted for pregnant women while the consumption of some is encouraged.
The answer to the question Can you drink apple cider vinegar when pregnant is Yes and No. Read on to learn more about drinking apple cider vinegar.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a juice from apples that are allowed to undergo fermentation by the action of yeast that transforms the naturally occurring sugars in the fruits to form alcohol.
It is one of the commonest types of vinegar available. The raw material is cider, a type of concentrated apple left to ferment over a stipulated time.
The fermentation process, which involves turning a substrate or an initial substance into another through the help of a microorganism, is allowed to continue by adding more bacteria to the alcohol formed from the sugar to turn it into acetic acid.
Types Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is of two types. We have unpasteurized apple cider, the one not treated to kill any present microorganism, and it is usually unfiltered.
There is also pasteurized cider vinegar which has been sterilized through the process of pasteurization in other to kill any potent microorganism capable of causing any health issue to the consumer and, in this context, a pregnant woman.
Can You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar When Pregnant?
No scientific research has proved that apple cider vinegar is safe or unsafe for pregnancy.
Health authorities and research suggest that pregnant women can drink ACV but must be cautious when consuming certain unpasteurized products because they may harbor certain bacteria.
If you want to drink unpasteurized apple cider vinegar during pregnancy, it is best advised to drink it with caution and knowledge beforehand of the risks. Do not forget to consult your doctor before using unpasteurized vinegar when pregnant.
Pregnant women can drink pasteurized apple cider vinegar since the risk of consuming any potent microorganism capable of causing harm to you and the baby is lessened.
It is best advised to avoid drinking unpasteurized cider vinegar because the body’s soldiers, the white blood cells, are usually overworked during pregnancy and could fail to lessen the harmful effects of any consumed microorganisms.
What Quantity of Apple Cider Vinegar Is Ok For Me During Pregnancy?
If your doctor has approved and prescribed apple cider vinegar, you should also consult with him/her for the quantity.
This is important because the concentration and quantity of apple cider vinegar might differ from the regular quantity during pregnancy.
Read Also: Can I Drink Thai Iced Tea During Pregnancy? Explained
Benefits Of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar During Pregnancy
Consuming apple cider vinegar without a doctor’s prescription is not advisable during pregnancy; your doctor should be aware and approve of it before adding cider vinegar to your diet to gain some health benefits, which include:
1. ACV May Help Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
There are enzymes and minerals in apple cider vinegar that help with the prevention and treatment of UTIs. A study in 2011 did show rice vinegar helped clear up bacterial UTIs though it may not be the same as apple cider vinegar.
Both the pasteurized or unpasteurized ACV may be used, since the most research for any vinegar helping with urinary tract infections was with pasteurized rice vinegar.
To use: Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a tall glass of water. Drink up to twice daily.
2. ACV May Help Treat Morning Sickness
Apple cider vinegar has a neutral pH. It is neither acidic nor alkaline, so it settles the stomach acids that cause nausea. Consumption in the first trimester provides tremendous relief from morning sickness.
However, there’s no research on the ground to support this use. Moreover, excessive consumption of apple cider vinegar may cause or worsen nausea, too.
However, both pasteurized and unpasteurized vinegar may apply for this symptom, as it has a lot to do with the vinegar’s acidity than its bacteria.
To use: Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a tall glass of water. Drink up to twice daily.
3. ACV May Help With Acne
Normally, some pregnant women may experience acne due to hormonal changes. According to research, acetic acids found in high amounts of ACV may help cure acne. These can only be effective when used in combination with certain light therapies, however.
Both pasteurized and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar may be used as a topical method of treatment. This creates less of a threat of foodborne illness.
Though no report has been strong enough yet to support ACV for acne treatment, some pregnant women have experienced some positive results nonetheless. It’s also safe and cheap to use.
To use: It is recommended to mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 3 parts water. Apply on your skin and acne-prone areas gently with a cotton ball.
4. ACV Helps Combat Yeast Infections
The distinctive components of apple cider vinegar can control and even cure yeast infections such as candida infections. It can also be used as a topical application especially in the diluted form.
5. ACV May Help Prevents Heart Burns And Acidity
Heartburns are common in the second trimester of pregnancy and result from the stomach content moving back to the esophagus, which could lead to irritation. Apple cider vinegar helps to neutralize acidic food and also provides relief.
6. ACV May Improve Digestion And Metabolism
A research study on animals in 2016 showed that apple cider vinegar could alter digestive enzymes. It was specifically shown to improve how the body digested fats and sugars.
Such effects are good, especially for people with type 2 diabetes. However, no human studies were conducted. This causes the debate can ACV may help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.
We are not sure if whether unpasteurized or pasteurized ACV was used in these studies.
To use: Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a tall glass of water. Drink up to twice daily.
7. ACV Helps Normalize Blood Pressure Level
The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar, as a result of fermentation, lowers blood pressure by reducing the activity of the renin enzyme, which increases blood pressure.
8. ACV May Help Relieve Leg Cramps
Sleep disruption due to leg cramping is known to be common in pregnancy. This is usually caused due to low potassium levels and pressure on the circulatory system from the growing uterus. ACV is high in potassium help can relieve discomfort.
9. ACV May Help In Common Cold
Most pregnant women are uncomfortable with over-the-counter drugs for cold and sore throat symptoms.
Since apple cider vinegar has immune-booster and antibacterial properties, it could be an alternative to fight these symptoms.
To use: Mix one part apple cider vinegar, five parts warm water, and 2-3 teaspoons of honey.
Nevertheless, ensure you avoid unpasteurized ACV during pregnancy, and if you want to avoid drinking it completely you can try making an ACV gargle for your sore throat.
10. ACV May Help In Weight Loss
Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals helps you feel full, so you eat less, and your calorie intake is lower.
However, pregnancy isn’t the best period to diet or try to lose weight. Rather, focus on eating a nutritionally dense, well-balanced diet to sustain yourself and your growing baby.
Can You Take Apple Cider Supplements During Pregnancy?
It is not advisable to consume apple cider supplements during pregnancy because sometimes most of the supplements do not contain apple cider vinegar. If they do, they may contain raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar as an essential ingredient.
It is better to avoid the supplement and, if you must, seek your doctor’s advice.
Possible Risks Of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar may not have any side effects otherwise, but no report proves the level of risks it may cause for pregnant women and their babies growing inside them.
Nevertheless, drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar can be harmful to the various parts of the digestive system since it contains acetic acid, which can burn through the esophagus.
Also, when apple cider vinegar is consumed raw, it can erode teeth due to the same acidic properties.
Apple cider vinegar could also have a bad interaction with drugs like insulin and diuretics.
Therefore, it is best advised to seek advice from your doctor to see if the drugs you are on can react adversely when taken with apple cider vinegar.
Tips and Precautions for Pregnant Women
Here are some helpful tips to remember before you consume apple cider vinegar during pregnancy.
- Be careful when consuming apple cider vinegar capsules or supplements. Do not forget to consult your doctor.
- Minimize the dosage of consumption of ACV based on an in-depth discussion with your healthcare provider.
- Don’t mix ACV with other vinegar when consuming. Doing this can increase the acidic potency.
- Do not use ACV as an alternative for medication unless your health care provider says otherwise.
- Be careful when trying to consume ACV mocktails.
- To maximize the health benefits, go for organic ACV.
- Do not drink plain ACV. Doing this can erode your tooth enamel and esophagus. Before drinking, dilute it first in water or any other liquid (non-vinegar/non-acidic).
- Rinse your mouth immediately after drinking apple cider vinegar to protect your enamel from harm.
- If you’re suffering from stomach problems, you should not drink apple cider vinegar (unless your doctor recommends it).
- Avoid drinking ACV 30 minutes before or after drinking tea or coffee.
When To Consult Your Doctor
Consult your doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs after consuming ACV:
- Red, hot, and any itchy rashes on your face
- Acidity, indigestion, or any stomach-related issue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
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Conclusion
I hope this article has provided significant insight on the question can you drink apple cider vinegar when pregnant. Also, you’ve been exposed to the health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar.
Always remember that the advice of your health care provider supersedes everything, so you must seek his or her opinion before adding it to your diet for the safety and wellbeing of you and your unborn child, which is your utmost priority.
Once approved by your healthcare provider and the current amount prescribed, you can enjoy the beauty and health benefits of apple cider vinegar.