Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, apple cider vinegar is generally safe during pregnancy when pasteurized. Most products (79 out of 115 reviewed) receive an A grade, making it a low risk choice for expectant mothers.
Apple cider vinegar is considered safe for pregnant women when consumed in moderate amounts as a food ingredient or diluted drink. The key concern is choosing pasteurized varieties to avoid harmful bacteria. Some ACV products contain added ingredients like aloe vera or herbal supplements that should be avoided during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized apple cider vinegar from reputable brands like Bragg or Vermont Village
- • Check labels for 'pasteurized' designation to ensure bacterial safety
- • Dilute 1-2 tablespoons in a full glass of water before drinking
- • Organic options with 'the mother' are safe when pasteurized
- • Limit to 1-2 tablespoons per day to avoid digestive discomfort
- • Use as salad dressing or cooking ingredient for easiest consumption
✗ What to Avoid
- • Unpasteurized or raw apple cider vinegar that may contain harmful bacteria
- • ACV supplements or gummies with added herbs like aloe vera or elderberry
- • Drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar which can damage tooth enamel
- • Products containing horseradish, spirulina, or kelp as added ingredients
- • Excessive amounts beyond 2 tablespoons daily
- • ACV shots or tonics with multiple herbal additives
Most Common Ingredients in Apple Cider Vinegar Products
We analyzed 115 apple cider vinegar products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Apple Cider Vinegar
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 115 apple cider vinegar products we analyzed.
aloe vera
AVOID
Aloe vera is a plant used in skincare and supplements. May stimulate uterine contractions when ingested and should only be used topically during pregnancy.
Found in 2 of 115 products (2%)
elderberry juice concentrate
CAUTION
Elderberry juice concentrate is an herbal supplement for immune support. May interfere with pregnancy immune function and raw berries contain toxic compounds.
Found in 2 of 115 products (2%)
horseradish
AVOID
Horseradish is a pungent root vegetable used as a condiment. Contains compounds that may cause digestive irritation and has shown developmental toxicity in animals.
Found in 2 of 115 products (2%)
aloe vera juice
AVOID
Aloe vera juice is a plant used in skincare and supplements. May stimulate uterine contractions when ingested and should only be used topically during pregnancy.
Found in 1 of 115 products (1%)
kelp
CAUTION
Kelp is an edible marine algae consumed as food or supplement, rich in iodine and minerals. May cause neonatal thyroid dysfunction from excessive iodine exposure and some products contain concerning levels of inorganic arsenic.
Found in 1 of 115 products (1%)
spirulina
CAUTION
Spirulina is a blue green algae supplement high in protein. May contain toxins and heavy metals if contaminated which pose fetal risks.
Found in 1 of 115 products (1%)
Apple Cider Vinegar Products We've Analyzed
We graded 115 apple cider vinegar products for pregnancy safety. 79 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Apple Cider Vinegar Products
We found 79 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Organic Apple Cider Vinegar | — |
| A | Organic Apple Cider Vinegar With The 'Mother', Apple Cider | — |
| A | Simply Roundy'S, Organic All Natural Apple Cider Vinegar | — |
| A | Spartan, Apple Cider Vinegar | — |
| A | Harmons, Apple Cider Vinegar | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women consume apple cider vinegar?
Yes, pregnant women can safely consume pasteurized apple cider vinegar in moderate amounts. It's commonly used as a salad dressing, cooking ingredient, or diluted in water. Most healthcare providers consider 1-2 tablespoons daily to be safe. However, always choose pasteurized varieties and avoid ACV supplements with added herbal ingredients that may not be pregnancy safe.
What are the risks of apple cider vinegar during pregnancy?
The main risks involve unpasteurized products that may contain harmful bacteria, and undiluted consumption that can erode tooth enamel or irritate the digestive tract. Some ACV supplements contain added ingredients like aloe vera, elderberry, or horseradish that should be avoided during pregnancy. Excessive consumption may also lower potassium levels or interact with certain medications like insulin or diuretics.
Is vinegar ok for early pregnancy?
Yes, pasteurized vinegar including apple cider vinegar is safe during early pregnancy. Many women find it helpful for managing first trimester nausea and morning sickness when diluted in water. The key is ensuring the product is pasteurized, as unpasteurized vinegar may contain bacteria that could be harmful. Stick to food grade amounts used in cooking or 1-2 tablespoons diluted in water.
Does apple cider vinegar affect getting pregnant?
Apple cider vinegar does not negatively affect fertility or your ability to get pregnant. While it has various health benefits including helping maintain normal pH levels and supporting digestion, it won't treat infertility on its own. There's no evidence that moderate ACV consumption interferes with conception. If you're trying to conceive, ACV is safe to continue using as part of your normal diet.
Can apple cider vinegar help with pregnancy heartburn?
Some pregnant women report that diluted apple cider vinegar helps relieve heartburn, though scientific evidence is limited. The theory is that ACV may help balance stomach acid levels. If you want to try it, mix 1 tablespoon in a glass of water and drink before meals. However, for some women, the acidity may worsen heartburn. Consult your healthcare provider if heartburn persists.
Is apple cider vinegar with 'the mother' safe during pregnancy?
Apple cider vinegar with 'the mother' (the cloudy strands of proteins and beneficial bacteria) is safe during pregnancy as long as it's pasteurized. Many popular brands like Bragg offer pasteurized organic ACV with the mother. The mother contains probiotics and enzymes that some believe offer additional health benefits. Always check the label to confirm pasteurization before consuming.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
People Also Checked
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Aloe Vera Juice
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See our full guide to vinegar during pregnancy.
References
- https://bumpboxes.com/blog/nutrition/drinking aloe vera juice/
- https://bumpboxes.com/blog/nutrition/drinking aloe vera/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6349368/
- https://proactiveforher.com/blogs/pregnancy/separating myths from truths about certain fruits in pregnancy/
- https://aloeveraexclusive.com/en/blogs/news/aloe vera and pregnancy natural care
- https://www.utep.edu/herbal safety/populations/herbs to avoid during pregnancy.html
- https://us.typology.com/library/aloe vera gel pregnancy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28521546/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/pregnant/comments/wai8r7/aloe_vera_juice_during_pregnancy/
- https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy pregnancy/is it safe/herbs and pregnancy/
- https://www.fincacanarias.com/en/blog/aloe vera and pregnancy properties and recommendations
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871383/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5686907/
- https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/193851/jmwh13645.pdf?sequence=1
- https://erbology.co/is aloe vera juice safe during pregnancy/
- https://www.lanzaloe.com/en/blog/aloe vera en el embarazo y-posparto cuidado para la piel y-precauciones.html
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/pregnancy skin care
- https://seattleelderberry.com/pages/elderberry during pregnancy and breastfeeding faq
- https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2312281.pdf
