Apple Cider Vinegar: Is It Safe To Drink While Pregnant?
Published January 17th, 2020
For years, apple cider vinegar has been consumed for its presumed healing properties. Study shows that ACV has multiple antimicrobial properties. Thus, many people believe that it can lessen your chances of acquiring diseases because ACV can kill many types of bacteria.
Moreover, there are claims that it can lower blood sugar levels as well as cholesterol levels. Some even claim that it can aid in treating acne breakouts, although there is very little research available about it.
However, is apple cider vinegar safe to drink during pregnancy? Well, it depends.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a popular natural home remedy. There are two types of ACV in the market – pasteurized and unpasteurized. But, both are made of fermented, crushed apples that are first made into alcohol and then acetic acid.
Pasteurized vs. Unpasteurized
Pasteurization is a process of heating food to kill pathogens. Thus, pasteurized apple cider vinegar does not contain the “mother.” The vinegar is already filtered, and the pathogens are already eliminated to make it safer to consume.
Unpasteurized ACV, on the other hand, is unfiltered and contains beneficial bacteria.
Why Do People Drink It?
As mentioned, apple cider vinegar has been known to its proven health benefits. Most people also believe that ACV is rich in probiotics, and we all know how probiotics can be beneficial to our body, especially to pregnant women.
However, contrary to popular belief, apple cider vinegar is not a probiotic. ACV only has an ingredient, which is the fermented apples, that are helpful to probiotics.
In other words, the pectin in the apples of ACV only encourages the growth of good bacteria in probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that help your body to boost the immune system and fight off diseases, not ACV.
Is It Safe For Pregnant Women?
Due to hormonal changes, women experience a lot of discomfort during pregnancy. And since apple cider vinegar has some proven health benefits, some pregnant women find it appealing.
However, no enough studies prove it’s safe during pregnancy. And expectant mothers are advised to be cautious when consuming unpasteurized juices and ciders for they can cause foodborne illnesses.
One research from Colorado State University said that foodborne illnesses can cause a woman a miscarriage, stillbirth, and other serious health problems for the baby after birth.
Bottomline
Pregnancy is one of the hardest parts of womanhood. It is when the immune system is slightly compromised, so you have to be more cautious with what you eat and what you drink if you want your baby to be healthy.
You might be considering consuming pasteurized apple cider vinegar. However, it doesn’t have the same health benefits you can get from the unpasteurized ones since the beneficial pathogens are already filtered. So what’s the point of drinking it?
So, instead of taking ACV that’s not yet scientifically-proven safe for pregnant women, take probiotic supplements instead.
Probiotics are known to boost the immune system, which pregnant women really need.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer based in the Philippines. Her commitment to communicating factual content in when writing is unmatched. She works hard to cross check reputable sources to ensure her work uses accurate facts.
