Pregnancy and motherhood can be a life-changing experience. While it is full of joy and wonder to see your baby slowly make its’ way into the world, it can also be a big worry. While nursing your baby, you have to be very careful about your diet and the foods you eat. As your cravings grow as well as your baby, it’s good to know that safe drink apple cider vinegar while breastfeeding is safe and also can help you quite a lot during breastfeeding.
Apple cider vinegar is a form of vinegar made from crushed apples which are fermented. The natural sugars are converted to acetic acid during the fermentation. This is then processed, bottled and shipped as apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is also available as pills. It has a wide range of beneficial properties. It can help control diabetes, maintain weight and boost immunity. But today we will discuss the benefits of apple cider vinegar while breastfeeding.
Table of Content
Is it safe to drink Apple Cider Vinegar While Breastfeeding?
Yes, new mothers can take apple cider vinegar by adding it to their regular diet. Not only that, there are numerous benefits of apple cider vinegar for pregnant or lactating mothers. However, some precautions should be taken.
You should be careful about the source of the apple cider vinegar. Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar is a safe option while breastfeeding. Make sure you are taking pasteurized apple cider vinegar because it ensures that it’s free from all harmful germs and bacteria. Apple cider vinegar pills are also safe while breastfeeding.
Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Blends
Also, you should use apple cider vinegar in a moderated amount. Taking too much can be harmful for you and your baby.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar While Breastfeeding
There are many benefits of taking apple cider vinegar. It’s a probiotic and an anti-oxidant. Here are some of the benefits of having apple cider vinegar for breastfeeding mothers:
Helps Control Diabetes:
Apple cider vinegar helps control diabetes in different ways. Firstly, it reduces blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. According to scientific studies, consuming apple cider vinegar can reduce blood glucose levels in case of type 2 diabetes while breastfeeding.
Also, apple cider vinegar contains a large amount of acetic acid. Acetic acid is useful as it can reduce the digestion of higher complex carbohydrates in food and prevent them from being absorbed in the body. This helps reduce the glycemic index in the blood. Thus, controlling insulin secretion and diabetes.
Again, when you take apple cider vinegar, the acidic contents deactivate certain digestive enzymes during digestion. These enzymes are normally responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates. So, By deactivating these enzymes apple cider vinegar prevents the increase of blood glucose and helps maintain it at a normal level.
Helps Improve Digestion:
Apple cider vinegar is great for treating digestion problems like heartburn, constipation, and indigestion. As it is a probiotic, it’s beneficial to the helpful bacteria in your digestive tract. As a result, it helps improve digestion and relieve ailments like constipation.
Apple cider vinegar also contains pectin, it’s a natural compound that’s helpful to relieve intestinal spasms. So, you can use apple cider vinegar to cure problems like stomachaches and abdominal discomfort.
In the case of breastfeeding mothers, apple cider vinegar can be an excellent choice for heartburn and other digestive issues faced during post-delivery. But it’s important to use apple cider vinegar in a moderated amount, as taking too much may cause acidity and indigestion.
Helps Protect the Heart:
Apple cider vinegar helps regulate Low-Density Lipoproteins or LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood.
LDLs we take in our food can build up along the blood vessels in the body and cause blocks. Apple cider vinegar contains polyphenols and chlorogenic acid which prevent LDL oxidation. Thus it can prevent these blocks from building up and protect the circulatory system and the heart.
In general, apple cider vinegar protects your heart and cardiovascular system and also prevents a variety of cardiovascular diseases.
Helps with Weight Loss:
Apple cider vinegar helps with losing weight in a number of ways. It can help by reducing carbohydrate absorption and cutting body fat.
Apple cider vinegar helps burn fat inside the body. It also helps control the amount of carbohydrates absorbed by the body. So, apple cider vinegar can help reduce weight.
For breastfeeding mothers, apple cider vinegar can be especially helpful to lose weight considerably after delivery.
Helps treat Urinary Infections:
Apple cider vinegar is also very helpful in preventing urinary tract infections. Due to its anti-bacterial qualities, it can reduce the risk of bacterial infections in the body. It also bolsters the immune system.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are often affected by urinary tract infections during pregnancy or in the post-delivery period. So taking apple cider vinegar can help reduce the risk of such infections.
Helps in Skin Care:
Different skin disorders and problems are common in women who have recently had a baby. In this case, apple cider vinegar is a great home remedy.
Taking apple cider vinegar with your food helps keep your skin healthy and free from skin problems that can arise after pregnancy.
Helps Treat Nasal Problems:
Apple cider vinegar is very effective in treating nasal problems like blocked nose or sinuses.
Taking lukewarm water with some apple cider vinegar before going to bed can help clear stuffed nose and blocked sinuses. Thus, providing relief and a good night’s sleep.
These are just some of the many benefits of apple cider vinegar. It’s an excellent choice as it benefits almost all the essential organ systems of the body.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar While Breastfeeding:
Here are some simple and easy ways to use apple cider vinegar, ideal for breastfeeding mothers:
Use as Salad Dressing:
Use apple cider vinegar to make a delicious salad dressing.
Ingredients:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Lemon/Lime Juice
- Extra Virgin Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
How to Make:
Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Remember to keep the dressing in a sealed container and refrigerate for future use.
Apple cider vinegar is used extensively as an ingredient to add flavor to all sorts of sauces and salads. This tried and tested salad dressing will surely bring your salads alive with flavor while also being healthy.
Make Herbal Tea:
This apple cider herbal tea will take your health conscious drink to a whole new level.
Ingredients:
- Green tea
- Lemon juice
- Ginger
- Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cinnamon
How to make:
For a hot refreshing cup of tea, first steep your green tea of choice in hot water. Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, strips of ginger and a few drops honey. You can also add a hint of cinnamon to really elevate the flavor.
Make Honey Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic
A classic recipe for an excellent tonic. Detox your system with this easy and simple to prepare the drink.
Ingredients:
- Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Water
- Lemon/Lime juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ice
How to make:
Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a tall glass of water. Add lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Add in salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled with ice and enjoy!
Make Avocado Apple Cider Vinegar Egg Salad:
Egg salads are light, healthy and delicious. This recipe takes it to a new level with a scrumptious apple cider vinegar and avocado base.
Ingredients:
- Eggs (hardboiled and cooled)
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Yellow mustard
- Green onions
- Avocado
- Rib celery
- Lettuce
- Fresh dill
- Salt
- Pepper
How to make:
Cut eggs in half and separate yolks and whites. Mash together the yolks, avocado, mustard and add apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Chop the whites and the remaining ingredients and mix together. Serve with bread for the ultimate healthy picnic sandwich.
Make a Compress:
Have a bad headache? This apple cider vinegar compress might do the trick.
Ingredients:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Coldwater
- Essential oil
How to make:
Mix equal parts cold water with apple cider vinegar. Add a few drops of essential oil. Rinse a washcloth, wring out and apply to forehead.
Precautions While Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Breastfeeding Women:
Apple cider vinegar is very useful for keeping healthy. But if used without being careful, it can have many negative effects. So, here are some precautions of using apple cider vinegar, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Always dilute apple cider vinegar before use. As it contains a lot of acetic acids, taking apple cider vinegar directly can alter your body’s pH level. Diluting it before use protects you from such changes and prevents stomach aches and gastrointestinal issues for both you and your baby.
Make sure you use pasteurized apple cider vinegar. Pasteurization kills any harmful germs and bacteria that may grow during the preparation process of apple cider vinegar. Taking apple cider vinegar which isn’t pasteurized increases the risk of bacterial infection which may pass from your body to the baby through breast-milk during breastfeeding.
Don’t use too much. Taking more than one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a day is not advisable. Taking too much may cause electrolyte imbalance and nutrient deficiencies.
Avoid direct contact with the skin. Apple cider vinegar is acidic, so contact with skin may cause irritation or skin burns. Always keep apple cider vinegar away from your eyes and keep out of reach of children.
Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is generally beneficial and safe to use. But unsafe and uncontrolled use may cause some adverse effects. They are described below:
Dental Problems:
Taking too much apple cider vinegar may cause erosion of dental enamel and tooth decay. In some cases it may cause irritation of gums. To prevent this, take apple cider vinegar in a moderate amount and always rinse your mouth afterward.
Low Potassium:
Apple cider vinegar can cause your potassium levels to drop. This may cause various complexities in your body, especially during breastfeeding. If you suffer from low potassium, consult your doctor before using apple cider vinegar.
Skin Problems:
In rare cases, apple cider vinegar is known to cause skin rashes and irritation. If you experience any itching, irritation or rashes after taking apple cider vinegar, consult your doctor immediately.
Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar: The Best Choice
Bragg is a trusted name as an internationally recognized producer of apple cider vinegar. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is made from all organic orchard-grown apples meaning they are 100% GMO-free. So you get the benefits of all organic apple cider vinegar with authentic unbeatable taste. So, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is the best option you can get.
Bottom Line:
So in conclusion, apple cider vinegar can be extremely useful. But it has to be used carefully. If you follow the guidelines, you can safely use apple cider vinegar while breastfeeding.
? If you liked this article, check out this one about meal replacement shakes while breastfeeding.
