Vinegar During Pregnancy: Benefits & Side Effects

To consume or prepare some foods, it is necessary to add a liquid called vinegar, while vinegar itself, despite its popularity, cannot be considered a meal. Consuming vinegar during pregnancy and other cases has benefits and side effects for the body, which you will learn about later.

Vinegar at a glance

Vinegar contains acidic properties and is used for household and sometimes medicinal purposes. Vinegar is usually considered an important component in the production of pickles. Consuming vinegar in general is not dangerous, but points such as consumption in normal amounts and paying attention to having some diseases should be observed.

Is it safe to use vinegar during pregnancy?

Vinegar is rich in antioxidants, which have many benefits for the mother and fetus. However, in the consumption of not only vinegar but in the consumption of all foods during pregnancy, one should be balanced to prevent possible risks due to excessive consumption. The waiting stage in pregnancy is much more sensitive than other stages of this period, and vinegar should be used rarely. Today, vinegar is one of the ingredients of many drinks and tonics, and pregnant women usually use these items instead of harmful drinks. When consuming vinegar, especially during pregnancy, you should pay attention to its pasteurization, because in this case, all pathogenic factors are destroyed and it does not pose a risk to the mother and the fetus.

As mentioned above, vinegar is a highly acidic liquid and you must dilute it with water or an alternative liquid before consuming it because consuming undiluted vinegar poses serious risks to the esophagus.

Heartburn in pregnant women is an obvious issue. Sometimes it is caused by the growing fetus, which puts pressure on the mother’s stomach. Sometimes it is heard that vinegar is useful for heartburn, but because of its acidity, it is not only not useful, but the situation becomes worse by consuming it.

Is it safe to use balsamic vinegar during pregnancy?

Balsamic vinegar is one of the things that have some lead in it. This lead was created through the soil where balsamic vinegar grapes were grown. The older the vinegar, the higher the level of lead. However, the level of lead in regular balsamic vinegar is so low that it will not be harmful for consumption during pregnancy, provided it is in moderation.

Is it safe to consume white wine or red vinegar during pregnancy?

Usually, wine contains alcohol, which is not suitable for pregnancy, but if we use alcohol in cooking, its percentage decreases. During the conversion of wine to vinegar, the alcohol of the wine changes into acetic acid vinegar. Of course, some alcohol remains in the vinegar, but because it is small, it does not cause any danger to the mother and the fetus. Just like balsamic vinegar, red vinegar has a very small amount of lead, which does not pose a risk to pregnant women.

Types of vinegar

1. Apple cider vinegar.
2. Balsamic vinegar.
3. White vinegar or spirit: This vinegar is used to make pickles or for cleaning purposes at home, and its consumption is allowed during pregnancy.
4. Black vinegar: Black vinegar, which is a fermented grain, is used in Asian dishes and its pasteurized type is the best.

Benefits of using vinegar During Pregnancy

1. It helps the calcium absorption process:

Absorption of calcium in foods consumed during pregnancy helps in better growth and strengthening of fetal bones, and vinegar is effective in this case and helps the body.

2. Vinegar has a lot of antioxidants:

Antioxidants are compounds that will protect the body against free radical damage, one of which is polyphenols, and they are very useful. Antioxidants also prevent oxidative stress during pregnancy.

3. Vinegar is considered an excellent flavoring that does not contain sodium:

A craving for foods containing sodium is common during pregnancy while consuming high levels of sodium can be dangerous to health. Therefore, vinegar without sodium gives flavor to foods.

4. Decreased blood sugar:

 Vinegar is effective in reducing blood sugar levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

Side Effects

Apple vinegar contains high amounts of acid, which is harmful to teeth. Some people experience nausea and vomiting after consuming vinegar.

Types of vinegar suitable for consumption during pregnancy

1. Balsamic vinegar:

This vinegar has a sweet taste and is used in all kinds of salads, vegetables, fried meat, and rice, and its sugar content is high compared to other vinegar.

2. Rice vinegar:

Rice vinegar has a very sweet yet sour taste and can be added to soups or fried foods.

3. Apple Cider vinegar:

The taste of this vinegar is different from other types of vinegar and it is most often used as a sauce. This vinegar is an excellent flavoring agent and plays an important role in flavoring salads and sausages. Apple cider vinegar helps create beneficial antioxidants. Of course, we should not forget that it is very acidic and aggravates tooth problems and heartburn.

Alternatives to vinegar in pregnancy

In the first step, you can use apple cider vinegar instead of other types of vinegar, otherwise, you can use lemon juice instead of vinegar, or you can use the plant itself for flavoring instead of vegetable vinegar. Strawberry vinegar is like apple cider vinegar but has a milder taste and can be used instead.

Conclusion

Women during pregnancy, because they are in a very sensitive condition, should pay special attention to their food plan and consumables. Due to its acidic properties, vinegar sometimes causes side effects such as heartburn and tooth decay, so it should be noted that despite its benefits, it must be consumed in moderation so that the health of the mother and fetus is not at risk.