Can You Take Apple Cider Vinegar During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy often brings about a range of dietary changes and preferences, including experiencing food aversions that can make eating a balanced diet challenging. Thus, as an expectant parent, you might be searching for natural remedies to alleviate symptoms and help you eat well — not to mention the health benefits associated with these remedies.  

One such remedy that often comes up is apple cider vinegar. This beverage is praised for its potential health benefits, such as aiding digestion, managing blood sugar levels, and boosting immunity. However, its safety during pregnancy remains a topic of concern. 

In this article, we’ll explore whether it’s safe to take apple cider vinegar during pregnancy, its possible health benefits, and any concerns linked to its consumption.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Fresh apple cider vinegar is made from the fermentation of apple juice.  It is pale to medium amber in color and is produced by fermenting the sugars in apples into alcohol. 

This alcohol is converted into acetic acid, giving it a distinctive taste and purported health benefits. Unfiltered ACV also contains mother — a mixture of yeast and bacteria that forms naturally during fermentation and is often considered beneficial.

This process involves two fermentation stages:

• Alcoholic Fermentation: Freshly crushed apples (or apple juice) are exposed to yeast, which ferments the sugars in the apples into alcohol.
• Acetic Acid Fermentation: Bacteria are added to the alcohol solution. This will further ferment the alcohol into acetic acid, giving vinegar its strong, sour taste and distinctive smell.

Sometimes, they are packed and sold after this. But in other cases, they undergo a process called pasteurization — especially for the ones that go into high-quality, ready-to-drink products. 

The ACV is treated with mild heat, usually to less than 100 °C (212 °F), to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life. Then, it is packaged and sold for use. Pasteurization will destroy the live bacterial probiotics.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar During Pregnancy

The use of ACV has spanned over decades, and many people swear by its benefits. Potential  benefits of utilizing apple cider vinegar while pregnant are:

Helps With Morning Sickness

ACV is used quite commonly for morning sickness in pregnant people. However, this is based on traditional and holistic beliefs. Some pregnant individuals find that mixing ACV with a teaspoon of honey in warm water makes it more palatable and can provide additional soothing effects.

The acids in ACV are known to potentially alleviate various gastrointestinal issues, which might help some pregnant people manage nausea. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this use.

Alleviate UTI Symptoms

Urinary tract infections are prevalent in pregnancy. Approximately 8% of pregnant individuals experience a UTI. The infections can range from asymptomatic bacteriuria to symptomatic acute cystitis.

Escherichia coli is the most prevalent foodborne pathogen found in urine samples from pregnant individuals. However, ACV has antibacterial properties that can help to mitigate the symptoms. A study showed that it is especially active against E.Coli, Staph aureus, and Candida albicans.  

Improves Digestion

One major cause of morning sickness is digestion issues. Usually, it’s common to experience heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux during your second trimester, which can be quite uncomfortable.

But is the solution to this a tablespoon of diluted ACV? The acetic acid in ACV can help increase the production of digestive enzymes, which assist with breaking down food components and enhancing nutrient absorption. 

Helps With Heartburn 

Pregnant people commonly complain of heartburn, especially during the second and third trimesters. Stomach acid regurgitates up through the esophagus from the increasing pressure of the growing uterus, leading to a burning feeling in the upper diaphragm and throat. 

The incidence of heartburn in pregnant people is reported to be between 17% and 45%. Some foods and drinks can provoke heartburn during pregnancy. These include acidic tomatoes, citrus fruits, spicy foods, fatty foods, chocolate, and caffeine. 

As a result, many pregnant people search for ways to reduce their discomfort. Apple cider vinegar, mixed with calcium carbonate and licorice extract in chewing gum, was found to help ease symptoms in pregnant people who suffer from heartburn and who do not respond to over-the-counter antacids. However, the study specifically examined the effects of unpasteurized ACV, which is not recommended for pregnant people, and it contained an antacid.

Enhances Blood Sugar Control

Apple cider vinegar may be advised as a natural remedy for controlling blood sugar levels. The acetic acid in ACV is believed to enhance insulin sensitivity, regulating blood sugar levels after meals. 

A study highlighted the positive effects of ACV on postprandial hyperglycemia. In this study, adult participants with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups: an ACV group and a control group. 

The ACV group consumed 30 ml of ACV daily, and both groups followed a healthy diet recommendation. Fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c were measured before and after eight weeks. 

The findings showed that the FBG and hemoglobin A1c values were significantly lower in the ACV group than in the control group. This suggests that ACV could be a valuable addition to diabetes management. However, there is limited evidence of its effect on gestational diabetes.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe For Pregnancy?

Eating during pregnancy requires special attention to ensure both the pregnant person and the baby receive adequate nutrition — which means knowing what not to eat for optimal health. This is why you might wonder if you can have apple cider vinegar during pregnancy.

ACV is a popular home remedy for various health issues, but its safety during pregnancy is a subject of interest and caution. For one, pregnant people are advised to avoid unpasteurized products due to the risk of bacterial contamination. 

There are pasteurized and unpasteurized versions of ACV. The unpasteurized version may harbor bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, Toxoplasma, and others, which can be dangerous during pregnancy. 

However, studies show acetic acid can kill Salmonella bacteria. It may also kill Listeria and E. coli as well as Campylobacter. But regardless, it’s safer to use pasteurized ACV.

Safe Usage Tips

• Start small: Begin with a small, diluted amount (1 teaspoon) to see how your body reacts, and gradually increase if well-tolerated. Generally, diluting one part of ACV with ten parts of water will decrease acidity sufficiently to be taken orally.
• Use in cooking: To enjoy its benefits without directly drinking, use ACV in salad dressings, marinades, or recipes.
• Monitor your reaction: Pay attention to any adverse reactions, such as increased heartburn or gastrointestinal discomfort, and discontinue use if necessary.

Risks of Apple Cider Vinegar in Pregnancy

When aiming for a healthy diet, it’s essential to be mindful of what not to eat, such as sugary snacks and highly processed foods. This also includes being conscious of potential risks associated with certain products like apple cider vinegar.

Here are some possible risks of having ACV during pregnancy:

1. Bacterial contamination: Unpasteurized ACV may contain harmful bacteria that pose a foodborne illness risk. They may cause a condition called Listeriosis. Pregnant people are advised to avoid unpasteurized products to prevent infections that could harm both mother and baby.
2. Digestive issues: ACV is highly acidic, and its consumption can exacerbate symptoms of nausea, heartburn, and acid reflux, which are common discomforts during pregnancy. The acidity of ACV may not be well-tolerated by some pregnant people, especially if consumed in large amounts or undiluted.
3. Tooth erosion: The acidity of ACV, if not properly diluted or if consumed frequently, can cause mucosal burning and contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. This concerns dental health, which is important to maintain during pregnancy.
4. Allergies: While this is rare, some people can develop allergic reactions to the components in vinegar. Try to monitor for any signs of allergic reactions, such as itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

Regardless, always consult with a healthcare professional prior to creating a big change in your diet while pregnant. They will advise you on making safe and suitable dietary choices for you and your baby’s health.

Conclusion

You can definitely take ACV while pregnant. It has quite some benefits ranging from blood sugar control to digestive health. However, you need to be particular about the type of ACV you consume. 

While ACV has health benefits, exercise caution because there may be risks linked to its consumption, especially if unpasteurized, undiluted, or consumed in large amounts. 

Prioritizing a well-rounded and safe diet is essential for supporting both your and your baby’s health during pregnancy.