Drink vinegar while you are pregnant, if you prefer, but avoid unpasteurized vinegar. As an expectant mother, your immune system is at a disadvantage and your baby's immune system is not fully developed. Due to your baby's compromised immunity, many foods that you previously ate you must now avoid. Even if you feel fine, your baby may be at risk for bacterial infection. Unpasteurized juices, including vinegar, are unsafe due to possible E. coli contamination.
Pasteurization
Pasteurization involves lightly boiling a liquid, killing bacteria and making it safe to drink. Milk, juices and vinegar are typically pasteurized. Some companies do not pasteurize products ini order to preserve flavor or nutrients. The acidity of vinegar deters bacteria growth and acts as a natural preservative. Normally, drinking unpasteurized vinegar is not a significant risk to health, because of low bacteria levels. However, even a small amount of bacteria may overcome your baby's less-developed immune system.
Home Pasteurization
Bring unpasteurized vinegar to a boil on the stove. Use a microwave if you prefer, though you may have difficulty gauging boiling time. Boil vinegar continuously for at least 1 minute to destroy bacteria. After the vinegar cools to a safe temperature, drink it immediately. Allowing the vinegar to sit out may lead to bacteria contamination. For optimal results, wait to pasteurize the vinegar until you plan to drink it, for the best results.
E. Coli
Drinking unpasteurized vinegar may lead to Escherichia coli, or E. coli infection. E. coli is a type of bacteria which is usually harmless, except for certain strains such as E. coli O157:H7, according to Mayo Clinic's website. When harmful strains of E. coli infect adults, they experience diarrhea that typically goes away after a week. Unfortunately, infants who contract E. coli may develop a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. If you suspect an E. coli infection, contact your doctor immediately.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Some mothers fear that drinking wine vinegar dressing may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or FAS, is serious condition that causes physical deformities, attention problems and poor learning in affected infants. Usually, mothers of babies with FAS drink alcohol heavily, exceeding one alcoholic beverage a day. However, wine vinegar contains no alcohol so is safe to consume, according to David J. Hanson, Ph.D. from the State University of New York, Potsdam.
References
- Food Safety.gov: Checklist of Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
- "Microbiology, An Introduction"; Gerard J. Tortora et al.; 2010
- MayoClinic.com: E. Coli Definition
- State University of New York; Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; David J. Hanson, Ph. D.;
