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Can You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar While Breastfeeding?

Apple cider vinegar is packed with wonderful health benefits. It is great for your digestive system and can help you lose some of that baby weight.

However, you have to keep in mind that anything you consume is typically passed on through your breastmilk. It’s important to make sure that you and your little one are safe if you drink apple cider vinegar while breastfeeding. 

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe While Breastfeeding?

Yes, you can drink apple cider vinegar while breastfeeding. However, you’ll need to make sure that you dilute it. Taking apple cider vinegar properly will guarantee that neither you nor your little one has to deal with common side effects. 

Can I Take Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies While Breastfeeding?

Apple cider vinegar gummies are as safe while breastfeeding as apple cider vinegar is. However, you’ll need to keep an eye on the ingredients list.

Most companies include other things in gummies. The apple cider vinegar should also be organic, which can be hard to find in a gummy. 

Benefits Of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar

Drinking apple cider vinegar has a lot of benefits, so there’s no reason that you should not enjoy the benefits while breastfeeding. Keep in mind that you should take it properly, and in small amounts.

If you take too much it can have side effects. Apple cider vinegar, or any food you eat, can also change the taste of your breast milk. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Can Lower Blood Sugar

Drinking apple cider vinegar can inhibit the body’s ability to properly digest complex carbohydrates. All of those carbs, like the ones in white bread, eventually turn into sugar in our bodies.

This makes your glucose level rise. When your body does not properly digest those carbohydrates, however, it does not make your glucose rise as it normally would.

Because of this, it can be a useful tool in helping manage or maintain your blood sugar levels.

It Can Improve Digestion

When you take apple cider vinegar, you’ll enjoy finding at least some relief from common digestion problems. It is known for helping to alleviate bloating, gas, indigestion, and even constipation.

If you’re having some indigestion, taking a little bit of this with each meal is a great idea! It’s important to make sure that you don’t overdo it, though. Consuming too much ACV can cause more stomach problems. 

Important Tool To Help With Weight Loss

Apple cider vinegar helps with weight loss. Granted, this isn’t going to instantly give you a shortcut to a six-pack, but it can help you lose weight faster than exercise alone. Simply taking 10 mL a day can help shrink your belly!

Apple Cider Vinegar Is Great For Congestion

Apple cider works great if you have a stuffy nose! If you’re prone to congestion at night time, consider taking it before bed.

Those of you that are having sinus issues can benefit from taking ACV throughout the day. It won’t cure your sinus problems, but it can help you breathe through your nose again!

ACV Can Help Regulate Bad Cholesterol

We’ve all heard of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. ACV helps regulate the bad cholesterol levels in your blood. This is great for your heart!

Side Effects Of Taking Apple Cider Vinegar

While taking ACV can help you with a variety of ailments, it’s important to note that it can have side effects. Taking a small amount at a time can help decrease your risk of side effects.

However, some people will experience side effects anyway. If you notice any of these side effects, take a smaller amount of ACV or consider taking something else to alleviate your symptoms. 

Digestive Problems Are A Common Side Effect

While apple cider vinegar is touted as a popular home remedy for relieving common stomach ailments, too much ACV can have some pretty horrible side effects.

Some studies have revealed that people that consume large amounts of apple cider vinegar have a higher level of nausea. 

Erosion Of Tooth Enamel 

Foods and drinks that have a high acid content are known for causing damage to tooth enamel. For example, think about how many popular sodas like Mountain Dew are known for damaging tooth enamel. This is because of the high acid content. 

Apple Cider Vinegar also has a high acid content. Over time, this can erode tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to cavities and decay. Some people combat this by taking this in a pill form instead. 

Digestion Problems Due To Bacteria

When you consume apple cider vinegar, there is a chance that you are also consuming the bacteria that is in it.

This is likely to happen if you consume apple cider vinegar that is not pasteurized. Pasteurizing ACV tends to kill all of the bacteria that are in it. 

If you consume this bacteria, it can travel to your baby via your breastmilk. This can cause stomach upset, digestive illnesses that result in diarrhea and vomiting, and more. It is not safe to drink this while pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Too Much Acid

If you have problems that result from stomach acid, drinking or taking something with more acid can cause more problems.

For example, if you can’t eat spaghetti without getting a bad case of heartburn, this might give you heartburn too. It can exaggerate any current problems that you already have with acid. 

Dangerously Low Blood Sugar

If you’re already on medication to help lower your blood sugar, the combination of the medication and the ACV could result in blood sugar that is too low.

This can be dangerous. If you’re diabetic, make sure to consult your doctor before trying this home remedy. 

Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure can be as dangerous as high blood pressure. Most people that take this in moderation won’t notice dangerous side effects.

However, using this regularly can cause lower blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure or are on medication for high blood pressure, speak with your primary care provider before taking apple cider vinegar. 

Potassium Levels That Are Low

If your potassium levels are pretty high, this might not be an issue. However, if they are normal or low you can wind up in the hospital. Low levels of potassium can cause muscle cramps (like a charley horse), diarrhea, vomiting, and abnormal heart rhythms. 

Safety Precautions To Take When Taking Apple Cider Vinegar

If you choose to take apple cider vinegar while breastfeeding, it doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to experience a wide range of side effects or that you’ll wind up in the hospital.

When you take safety precautions, you can enjoy all of the benefits of ACV without too many drawbacks. 

Eat A Banana A Day

At one point, I drank way too many energy drinks to keep up with way too much physical work. This resulted in low potassium levels, which caused unbearable Charley horses every night and an abnormal heart rhythm.

The solution? Bananas. They’re rich in potassium and can help you even out the side effect of low potassium. 

Talk With Your Doctor First

If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, it’s important to speak with your physician before you start taking ACV.

It’s also important to speak with your doctor if you’re currently taking any medication to guarantee that there will not be side effects. You’ll want to double-check that it won’t make your medication ineffective as well. 

Only Drink Pasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar

This is the process that kills additional bacteria in the ACV. If the product has not been pasteurized, you can usually trust that it is packed with bacteria.

Make sure that you’re only drinking pasteurized apple cider vinegar by reading the label or researching the company before consuming it. 

Dilute It

Dilute apple cider vinegar to make sure that it is not too much acid at once for you to handle. The strength of the acid can also make it wear away at your tooth enamel.

Instead of taking straight apple cider vinegar, use ten parts water to one part apple cider vinegar. 

Rinse Your Mouth Or Brush Your Teeth Afterwards

If you’re going to drink apple cider vinegar, it’s important to make sure that it’s not sitting on your teeth all day. After taking it, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. You can also brush your teeth for more thorough prevention. 

Start Small

While one person may be able to take a full 10 mL in the morning with no side effects, you might experience side effects by taking 3 mL.

It’s recommended that you don’t consume more than one tablespoon per day. Start with a few drops in your favorite tea.

Then, gradually increase the dosage to prevent side effects in both you and your baby. It’s important to note that babies can experience side effects too. 

In Conclusion

Apple cider vinegar is safe to take while breastfeeding and provides a wealth of benefits. Make sure to take safety precautions to keep both you and your baby safe. 

Please be advised that I am not a medical doctor. This advice is merely my opinion.