Pregnancy is a time when the mother’s body experiences a lot of discomforts. This might be due to hormone abnormalities and a weakened immune system. As a result, the pregnant woman is susceptible to a variety of illnesses and disorders. As a result, physicians advise pregnant women to have a healthy diet and use items that are good for both the mother and the unborn child. Apple cider vinegar is one such thing to eat while pregnant. In this post, we’ll go over the many advantages of apple cider vinegar during pregnancy, as well as the concerns that come with it.
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular drinks among wellness enthusiasts these days, alongside green smoothies and kombucha.
Many people report that drinking apple cider vinegar reduces stomach and leg cramps, which may seem all too familiar if you’re pregnant.
Is it, however, safe to consume apple cider vinegar while pregnant?
We’ll go through our thoughts on apple cider vinegar during pregnancy in this blog. We’ll explain why we’ve taken this position, as well as the advantages, hazards, and research behind it all, so you can make an informed decision.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar and Why Should You Use It?
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made by combining apple juice or cider with yeast, which ferments the fruit’s naturally existing sugars to produce alcohol.
More bacteria are combined with the alcohol after the initial fermentation, converting it to acetic acid
Apple Cider Vinegar comes in different varieties-
Unfiltered and filtered apple cider vinegar are the two most common types. Pasteurized or unpasteurized apple cider vinegar are both options.
Filtered and pasteurized apple cider vinegars are made by removing sediment and germs during processing. Pasteurization is usually done on filtered ACV. The liquid is clear with a little amber tint.
Pasteurization is the process of gently heating apple cider vinegar to kill any living bacteria. Filtration, on the other hand, is a sediment-removal procedure.
Because unfiltered apple cider vinegar is not filtered further, it may be hazy owing to sediment and “the mother.” Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is frequently unpasteurized – it’s just raw.
“The mother” is a naturally occurring blend of acetic acids and helpful microorganisms produced during the fermentation process. It’s a strand-like residue in the vinegar that’s thought to be the source of the majority of the health advantages.
Apple Cider Vinegar: What You Should Know
Apple cider vinegar is said to be good for a range of diseases by health and wellness enthusiasts.
Diabetes: Scientific studies have shown that when specific meals are consumed, ACV can reduce blood sugar levels and enhance insulin sensitivity. Even so, you should only take it to regulate your blood sugar under the supervision and direction of your doctor. If you’re already on blood sugar-lowering medication, this is very critical. ACV can assist with blood sugar control, but it is not a substitute for the medication your doctor has prescribed.
Digestion: Apple cider vinegar can aid in digestion and detoxification when eaten on a daily basis. It contains probiotics, which help to promote gut health, enhance bowel function, and maintain a healthy pH balance in the body. Constipation and acid reflux can be relieved by maintaining a healthy pH balance and gut. There is no scientific evidence that ingesting 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water may assist with morning sickness or nausea. Nonetheless, apple cider vinegar has the potential to create heartburn and digestive problems, particularly in the case of starch-rich foods like potatoes. In any case, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar should be avoided during pregnancy.
Weight Loss: When taken before meals, apple cider vinegar makes you feel fuller, allowing you to eat less calories. Pregnancy, on the other hand, is not the time to diet or try to lose weight. Instead, to fuel yourself and your growing baby, focus on eating a well-balanced, nutritionally dense diet.
Cold and Sore throat: Many pregnant women are wary about taking over-the-counter cold and sore throat medications. Because ACV has antimicrobial and immunity-boosting characteristics, it might be an effective treatment for these symptoms. Mix one part ACV with five parts warm water and 2-3 teaspoons honey to produce a relaxing drink. Still, avoid unpasteurized ACV during pregnancy, and if you don’t want to drink it, try preparing an ACV gargle for a sore throat.
Leg Cramps: Leg cramps are a typical cause of sleep interruption during pregnancy. Low potassium levels and strain on the circulatory system from the developing uterus may be to blame. Because apple cider vinegar has a lot of potassium, it can help you feel better.
Many individuals use apple cider vinegar topically, for everything from dandruff treatment to foot deodorizers, in addition to ingesting it.
These typical pregnant skin issues may benefit from a modest quantity applied topically due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties:
- Warts
- Varicose Veins
- Eczema and Acne
If you have varicose veins, apple cider vinegar can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as elevation. Just make sure you don’t use it on skin that is damaged.
Is ACV safe to consume during pregnancy?
There is no scientific evidence that ACV is safe or dangerous during pregnancy.
In general, authorities and studies indicate that pregnant women should avoid ingesting certain unpasteurized items. Listeria, Salmonella, Toxoplasma, and other bacteria may be present.
Pregnant women may be more susceptible to foodborne disease since their immune systems are weakened during pregnancy. Some of these diseases are potentially fatal.
These viruses also put the fetus at risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, and other problems.
Acetic acid, on the other hand, is present in all types of apple cider vinegars. Acetic acid is an antibiotic that favors the growth of just a few helpful bacteria over others. According to studies, certain hazardous microorganisms that grow in apple cider vinegar may not be as toxic as they are in other unpasteurized foods.
Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar should only be used by pregnant women with extreme caution and understanding of the hazards. It is strongly advised to see a doctor before using unpasteurized vinegars while pregnant.
Instead, pasteurized apple cider vinegar can be used safely and without worry by pregnant women. However, some of the health advantages you desire, such as apple cider vinegar’s purported probiotic effects, may be lacking.
Does apple cider vinegar aid with pregnancy symptoms? (USES)
Despite the fact that the safety of apple cider vinegar has yet to be verified, many pregnant women still take it as a cure for a variety of ailments. There have been no reports of damage or any issues associated with its usage during pregnancy, whether pasteurized or unpasteurized.
Apple cider vinegar may be very beneficial for some pregnant symptoms or characteristics. It’s important to remember that pasteurized apple cider vinegar is the safest to use.
Home treatment for morning sickness
Apple cider vinegar’s acids have been shown to aid with a variety of different gastrointestinal issues. As a result, it may be beneficial to some women who are experiencing nausea as a result of their pregnancy.
However, there are no studies to back up this practice. Furthermore, consuming too much apple cider vinegar may induce or aggravate nausea.
This symptom can occur with both pasteurized and unpasteurized vinegar, as it is caused by the acidity of the vinegar rather than germs.
To use: In a large glass of water, combine 1 to 2 teaspoons ACV. You can drink up to twice a day.
Heartburn may be relieved by apple cider vinegar
Though it’s unknown whether apple cider vinegar can assist with morning sickness, it may be beneficial for heartburn. During the second trimester, pregnant women may feel heartburn.
ACV may benefit patients with heartburn who don’t respond well to over-the-counter antacids, according to a 2016 research.
To use: combine 1 to 2 teaspoons ACV with a tall glass of water. You can drink up to twice a day.
Apple cider vinegar has been shown to help with digestion and metabolism
In 2016, another intriguing study found that apple cider vinegar can change digestive enzymes. Animals were used in the experiment.
It appeared to enhance the way the body absorbed fats and carbohydrates in particular. Although such benefits may be beneficial, particularly for type 2 diabetes, no human trials have been undertaken. This begs the issue of whether ACV can help prevent gestational diabetes.
It’s unclear whether the research utilized unpasteurized or pasteurized ACV.
To use: In a large glass of water, combine 1 to 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar. You can drink up to twice a day.
Apple cider vinegar may aid in the treatment or prevention of urinary tract infections and yeast infections
ACV is frequently advised for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Yeast infections are treated in the same way.
Both of these might be a common occurrence among pregnant women. However, there are no studies that show that apple cider vinegar operates in this way. Learn how to manage a urinary tract infection (UTI) while pregnant.
Rice vinegar did help clean up a bacterial urinary infection in a 2011 research, albeit it may not be the same as apple cider vinegar.
Since the best evidence for any vinegar aiding with urinary tract infections was with pasteurized rice vinegar, either pasteurized or unpasteurized ACV can be utilized.
Acne may be helped by apple cider vinegar
Some pregnant women may develop acne as a result of hormonal changes.
Some studies show that acetic acids, which are abundant in ACV, may aid in the treatment of acne. However, they were only helpful when combined with particular light therapy.
Apple cider vinegar, pasteurized or unpasteurized, can be used as a topical therapy. This reduces the risk of foodborne disease.
Despite the fact that no studies have been conducted to support the use of ACV for acne, several pregnant women have reported positive benefits. It’s also easy to use and inexpensive.
To use: Mix one part ACV to three parts water. Apply to skin and acne-prone areas lightly with a cotton ball.
Controls Blood Sugar
ACV’s enzymes are thought to aid with blood sugar regulation. Again, there is no medical evidence that eating ACV will help pregnant women with blood sugar difficulties regulate their blood sugar levels.
Glowing skin
You may use ACV as a skin toner and drink it every morning. In no time, your skin will be radiant from the inside out. Your irritated and blocked pores are caused by pregnant hormones, but ACV fights inflammation and brightens the skin.
Moderates Blood Pressure
ACV contains minerals that are thought to operate in tandem with blood sugar-controlling enzymes to help reduce blood pressure rises and decreases. This time, there are no studies to back up its claims. As a result, it’s extremely doubtful that ACV can help with blood pressure problems that are typical in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
During pregnancy, some people may advocate or use apple cider vinegar as a home treatment for a variety of ailments.
Many of these applications aren’t backed up by scientific research. For certain symptoms and diseases, research shows more support and effectiveness than for others.
There have been no recent reports of danger from any sort of ACV during pregnancy, as far as we know. Pregnant women should still consult their doctors before consuming unpasteurized apple cider vinegars.
Avoid utilizing vinegars with the “mother” when pregnant for your own safety. Using pasteurized vinegars during pregnancy can still give some health advantages.
Apple Cider Vinegar’s Potential Hazards
Apple cider vinegar may have no other drawbacks, but no studies have been conducted to determine the degree of danger it poses to pregnant women and their unborn children.
Drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar, on the other hand, might injure numerous areas of the digestive system since it includes acetic acid, which can burn the esophagus. Because of its acidic qualities, apple cider vinegar can damage teeth if ingested fresh.
Apple cider vinegar may potentially interact negatively with medications such as insulin and diuretics. As a result, check with your primary care physician to determine whether any of your medications would interact negatively with apple cider vinegar.
Precautions and Advice for Pregnant Women
Here are some things to keep in mind before you decide to drink apple cider vinegar while pregnant:
- When using apple cider vinegar pills or supplements, use care. Consult your doctor beforehand.
- Based on an in-depth conversation with your physician, reduce the amount of ACV you consume.
- When ingesting ACV, avoid mixing it with other vinegars. It has the ability to boost acidic potency.
- Unless your doctor instructs otherwise, do not take ACV as a pharmaceutical alternative.
- When attempting to consume ACV mocktails, use caution.
- Buy organic ACV to get the most out of it.
- Plain ACV might destroy your teeth enamel and oesophagus, so avoid it. Drink it diluted in water or any other non-vinegar/non-acidic liquid.
- To prevent your enamel from injury, immediately rinse your mouth with water after eating apple cider vinegar.
- If you have gastrointestinal troubles, avoid consuming apple cider vinegar (unless advised by your doctor).
- ACV should not be consumed 30 minutes before or after coffee or tea.
When should you seek medical attention?
If you develop any of the following symptoms after drinking ACV, see your doctor:
- Face rashes that are red, hot, and irritating
- Acidity, indigestion, or any other stomach issue
- Vomiting and nausea
- Dizziness
Apple Cider Vinegar: Side effects during pregnancy
- Apple cider vinegar that has not been pasteurized is considered hazardous and may cause health problems.
If you are on certain drugs, avoid ACV since it may cause potassium levels to drop, putting you and your baby at risk. Before you start taking ACV, see your doctor. When consumed directly, ACV is very acidic and can destroy dental enamel. - ACV might cause stomach and throat discomfort in some people.
Because ACV is acidic, it should not be consumed in large quantities. You must also use caution when ingesting it.
How should apple cider vinegar be consumed?
- ACV should not be consumed directly since it damages your enamel, impairs your esophagus, and can create other issues.
- If you’re interested in purchasing ACV supplements, be sure to look at the components and composition of the product before purchasing.
- When drinking ACV-containing drinks, use a straw to reduce the amount of vinegar that comes into contact with your teeth.
- After consuming anything with ACV, rinse your mouth. If you have gastrointestinal issues, stay away from ACV.
- Allergies should be avoided. If you experience any pain while taking ACV, contact your doctor right once.
- Because of its acidity, ACV may be rather unpleasant to swallow. There are, however, techniques to improve the flavour.
How Can You Improve The Taste Of ACV?
Because apple cider vinegar is bitter, you may not always want to drink it with water. There are a few delightful and healthy ways to incorporate ACV into your pregnant diet:
In a glass of water, combine one teaspoon of ACV and two tablespoons of honey. To one and a half cup of fresh grapefruit juice, combine two tablespoons ACV and two teaspoons raw honey.
To make the ACV elixir, combine two teaspoons apple or grape juice, two tablespoons ACV, half teaspoon cinnamon powder, and half teaspoon stevia in one-and-a-half cup of lukewarm water.
It is okay to consume pasteurized apple cider vinegar while pregnant. Morning sickness, acidity, and heartburn are just a few of the pregnancy symptoms that ACV can assist with. However, it is recommended that you choose the highest quality ACV available on the market after carefully inspecting the contents and manufacture dates. You may also dilute ACV with a glass of water and honey to mask the acidity and make it easier to consume. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the safety of it for your baby.
