Is it safe to use apple Cider Vinegar during pregnancy? This is the question that often pops up when it comes to pregnant women who love a touch of vinegar in their food. Many say that it is useful and rich in vitamins which help the baby in developing faster and better. According to research conducted in America, it is safe to use vinegar during pregnancy.
Directly drinking vinegar while pregnant could also be dangerous because it contains an enormous amount of acetic acid. To all those women who like vinegar in their food, here are some benefits of using vinegar during pregnancy. Read all about the benefits as well as the harmful effects of vinegar when you are carrying a child. You will surely be amazed by the benefits that you never knew of! But first, what is vinegar?
Vinegar is a liquid that contains about 5–20% acetic acid, water, and other trace chemicals, which may include flavourings. Acetic acid is produced by the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria.
Different Types of Vinegar:
Vinegar is mainly used as a cooking ingredient, or in pickling. However, there are some types of vinegar too. Here are some.
1. Balsamic Vinegar:
This is an expensive vinegar because it is aged. Therefore, the longer it is aged, the sweeter and thicker it becomes and hence the cost. White and red balsamic vinegar is available. The white-coloured one will help you make a light-coloured salad dressing. The really aged balsamic vinegar is expensive and is drizzled over cheese and salad.
2. Red Wine Vinegar:
White and red vinegar are the common ones that are used. Red wine vinegar is used with foods like beef, pork and even vegetables. The white wine vinegar is however used for chicken and fish dishes.
3. Apple Cider:
This is another popular vinegar that is mild and inexpensive. It is the one mostly used for salad dressing. It is also a good choice for marinating chicken or fish as it is only mild. Apple cider vinegar also has a lot of health and skin benefits.
4. Rice Vinegar:
The mildest of all is rice vinegar. It contains very little acidity when compared to others and is often an Asian or Chinese cooking ingredient.
5. Plain Vinegar:
This is a plain distilled vinegar that is made from grain alcohol and has a sharp and unpleasant taste. It is generally used in small quantities and sometimes added to milk to make buttermilk. Besides, it is also used for cleaning purposes.
The many forms of vinegar have their own benefits. But wondering ‘can I take apple cider vinegar while pregnant?’ Here is your answer.
Apple cider vinegar has a lot of health benefits. It is often a cure for gastrointestinal issues, vaginal tract infections and even some skin conditions.
See More: Apple Cider Vinegar During Pregnancy
It is typically made of crushed fermented apples, which are first made into alcohol and then later into acetic acid.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar During Pregnancy:
Here are the benefits of apple cider vinegar during pregnancy. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Cures Indigestion:
During pregnancy, you tend to experience indigestion, which causes discomfort. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with a glass of water will come as a huge relief.
2. Prevents Urinary Tract Infection:
Another common thing that occurs during pregnancy is urinary tract infection. That could be the reason why there is a smell of discharge and frequent urination. Apple cider vinegar while pregnant, or even otherwise, is known to have a lot of essential enzymes and minerals that can effectively fight infection. Take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in one glass of water and drink twice daily.
3. Treats Heartburns and Acidity:
In the 12-27 weeks of pregnancy, heartburn and acidity become common problems experienced. Acidity now occurs due to the pressure exerted by the child on the mother’s digestive tract. This pressure leads to heartburn and acidity. Apple cider vinegar during pregnancy comes in really handy to help with this. One tablespoon of apple cider in one glass of water will solve the problem immediately.
4. Treats Acne:
Acne is another common problem during pregnancy. Sometimes you end up getting this on every part of your body, sometimes the breasts and arms. Apple cider vinegar will effectively curb acne problems.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using apple cider vinegar during pregnancy.
- It was found to affect adversely when apple cider was consumed along with other drugs prescribed during pregnancy. When it comes in contact with certain drugs, it tends to lower potassium levels.
- It also leads to erosion of the teeth’ enamel. Apple cider is highly acidic and this high acidic content can cause damage to your teeth and also lead to enamel erosion. When you drink it directly from a glass, your teeth make contact directly with it and this could also lead to erosion.
- Irritation in gums has also been reported. Apple cider vinegar is known to have caused irritation in the gums by pregnant mothers who have consumed it.
Drinking vinegar while pregnant works and gives significant positive results. Take a look at what it can do.
5. Works Against Nausea:
Pregnant women are sometimes advised to add a drop of vinegar to their morning foods to reduce nausea. Soaking a few organic bones in the vinegar helps it release the calcium present. Consuming a small amount of this solution every morning helps eliminate nausea and more importantly it aids the formation and strengthening of the baby’s bones. The most common problem a woman faces during pregnancy is nausea and vinegar is helpful in reducing the effect and intensity of it.
See More: Recipes for Pregnant Women
6. Rich Source of Antioxidants:
Antioxidants are very good in general and particularly good during pregnancy. The antioxidants present in vinegar protect your cells from damage. Vinegar is rich in antioxidants, which benefit your pregnancy as a whole. It also reduces oxidative stress for both you and your baby. Being stress-free during this period is a must.
7. Best Sodium Source During Pregnancy:
Pregnant women tend to crave high-sodium foods. A high level of sodium in your body will not do you any good during pregnancy. It is highly recommended to replace the excess sodium in your diet with vinegar. Vinegar acts as a flavouring agent without increasing your sodium levels. There are different flavours of vinegar available to suit your taste, which is an added advantage. Try to avoid high-sodium diets by increasing the use of vinegar in your diet.
The added good news is that vinegar can be used to test for pregnancy.
Homemade Pregnancy Test with Vinegar:
- We’ll show you how you can get this done easily at home.
- What you’ll need: your urine sample, a cup and some vinegar.
- What to do: Take some vinegar in a cup and mix it with the urine. Wait for the mixture to change its colour.
- You might see some bubbles forming. This is safe. There is nothing to worry about.
- What you will see: If the solution changes colour, it is a sign of positive pregnancy. But if the
- liquid’s colour remains unchanged, it indicates that you are not pregnant.
- Despite the major helps it does to the body, it also has some serious limitations.
Limitations of Vinegar Consumption:
It is a common thing to experience heartburn during pregnancy. However, vinegar with its high acetic acid content is known to increase heartburn and in some cases trigger heartburn. You should limit the use of vinegar if it tends to cause heartburn and makes you feel uncomfortable. This is not necessarily the case with all pregnant women, so watch your vinegar intake and keep it within the margin to avail of its benefits.
Too much of anything is bad, the same goes for vinegar in pregnancy. There are specific foods which when taken with vinegar can cause some serious health complications during pregnancy. Raw vegetables with vinegar peppered on top can be dangerous, and seafood especially undercooked seafood with vinegar can strongly upset your health when you’re pregnant.
Craving vinegar while pregnant? Well, that’s common! Pickles, pickled canned goods suddenly could turn out to be their favourite food. Some of them have known to drink vinegar straight out of the bottle! There is a typical tendency to crave salty and acidic foods during pregnancy. What could happen on overconsumption of them would be heartburn! Ladies, you might want to watch out for that.
See More: Pate in Pregnancy
Vinegar has many advantages to pregnancy. By keeping your vinegar intake away from both extremes you can have a healthy and happy pregnancy. If you want your baby to be fit and healthy then avoid using preservatives which might be harmful to the health of the baby and start using vinegar in your diet. While we understand your intense vinegar and salty cravings, just be on the careful side to avoid any side effects!
