Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
Yes, apple cider vinegar is generally safe during pregnancy when pasteurized. Most products (125 out of 170 reviewed) receive an A grade, though you should avoid unpasteurized varieties and ACV supplements containing herbs like aloe vera.
Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a natural remedy and is considered safe for pregnant women when consumed in food amounts. The main concern is unpasteurized ACV, which may contain harmful bacteria. Some ACV supplements also include additional herbs like aloe vera or horseradish that should be avoided during pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulation.
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, White House, or Vermont Village
- • Check the label for 'pasteurized' designation to ensure harmful bacteria have been eliminated
- • Dilute ACV before consuming - mix 1-2 tablespoons in a full glass of water
- • Limit intake to 1-2 tablespoons per day to avoid digestive discomfort
- • Plain ACV without added herbal supplements or extracts is safest during pregnancy
✗ What to Avoid
- • Unpasteurized or raw apple cider vinegar that may contain harmful bacteria
- • ACV supplements containing aloe vera, which may stimulate uterine contractions
- • Products with added horseradish, which has shown developmental concerns in studies
- • ACV gummies or pills with elderberry, spirulina, or kelp additives
- • Drinking undiluted ACV, which can damage tooth enamel and irritate the throat
- • Excessive consumption beyond 2 tablespoons daily
Most Common Ingredients in Apple Cider Vinegar Products
We analyzed 170 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 170 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 170 products (1%)
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 170 products (1%)
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 170 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 2 of 170 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 2 of 170 products (1%)
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 170 products (1%)
Apple Cider Vinegar Products We've Analyzed
We graded 170 apple cider vinegar products for pregnancy safety. 125 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Apple Cider Vinegar Products
We found 125 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Organic Detox Lemon Honey Cinnamon Apple Cider Vinegar | White House |
| A | Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Refresher - Apple Cinnamon | Bragg, Live Food Products Inc. |
| A | Apple Cider Vinegar | Omega Nutrition |
| A | 100% Apple Cider Vinegar | — |
| A | Apple Cider Vinegar With Manuka Honey | Wedderspoon |
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 to help with morning sickness and heartburn during pregnancy. The key is choosing pasteurized varieties and diluting it properly before drinking. Most healthcare providers consider 1-2 tablespoons daily mixed with water to be safe throughout pregnancy.
What are the risks of apple cider vinegar during pregnancy?
The main risks involve unpasteurized ACV, which may contain harmful bacteria that could affect your pregnancy. Undiluted ACV can also erode tooth enamel and cause throat irritation. Some ACV supplements contain additional herbs like aloe vera or elderberry that aren't recommended during pregnancy. Excessive consumption may 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 generally safe during early pregnancy. Many women find it helpful for managing first trimester nausea and morning sickness. However, you should only use pasteurized varieties, as unpasteurized vinegar may contain bacteria that could be harmful. Always dilute ACV in water and limit consumption to 1-2 tablespoons per day.
Does apple cider vinegar affect getting pregnant?
Apple cider vinegar does not directly affect fertility or your ability to get pregnant. While it has general health benefits like supporting digestion and maintaining pH balance, there's no scientific evidence that it treats infertility. It won't harm your chances of conceiving when consumed in normal food amounts, but it shouldn't be relied upon as a fertility treatment. Consult your doctor for evidence based fertility guidance.
Can apple cider vinegar help with pregnancy heartburn?
Many 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 of pasteurized ACV in a glass of water and drink it before meals. However, for some women, the acidity may worsen heartburn, so discontinue use if symptoms increase.
Should I choose pasteurized or unpasteurized apple cider vinegar while pregnant?
Always choose pasteurized apple cider vinegar during pregnancy. Pasteurization eliminates potentially harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that could pose risks to your pregnancy. While unpasteurized ACV with 'the mother' is popular for its probiotic content, the bacterial risks outweigh the benefits during pregnancy. Major brands like Bragg offer pasteurized options that are safe for pregnant women.
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
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
