Many women know firsthand that during pregnancy sometimes there is an irresistible desire to eat something special. Some during this period radically change their taste preferences. Sometimes women talk about an inexplicable desire to try, for example, chalk or plaster, let alone more ordinary things, such as beer. There is a common opinion that if alcohol is contraindicated for expectant mothers, then non-alcoholic beer during pregnancy can certainly be, there will be no harm from half a glass of a foaming drink. In addition, people say that if a pregnant woman wants something, you must certainly try it. Let's find out the opinion of experts on this matter - is it worth drinking non-alcoholic beer during pregnancy?
What do the experts say?
Do not flatter yourself, non-alcoholic beer is just called that. Typically, such a beer contains at least 0.5% alcohol. Doctors are unanimous in their opinion - alcohol is contraindicated for pregnant women, even in small doses. Perhaps such a scanty amount will not affect the health of the expectant mother. But on the development of a child whose systems and organs are just being formed, even a small amount of alcohol can have a negative effect. It has been proven that in pregnant women who regularly drink small amounts of alcohol, the level of hormones in the amniotic fluid is reduced, as a result of which the baby's weight may be insufficient.
Non-alcoholic beer, like regular beer, is produced by fermenting wort with brewer's yeast. But then the drink goes through double filtration, due to which the percentage of alcohol can be reduced. Fermentation suppression technology is also used, which also reduces the alcohol content. However, as a result of applying any of these technologies, the taste of beer changes. And in order to give the drink a traditional beer taste, artificial flavors are used. In addition, any beer contains preservatives, biological additives, bitter substances and hops, which are known to be a phytoestrogen. These components, not only are they unsafe for the health of a pregnant woman, but also contribute to weight gain.
In the production of non-alcoholic beer, cobalt is also used as a foam stabilizer, which, accumulating in the body, can lead to heart problems and cause inflammation in the stomach and esophagus. Non-alcoholic beer is strictly forbidden during pregnancy to women who have certain kidney problems. True, this restriction applies not only to expectant mothers. And one more argument in favor of the fact that non-alcoholic beer should not be used during pregnancy. People who have had problems with alcohol in the past are categorically contraindicated to drink even non-alcoholic beer. This is a confirmation of the fact that this drink also leads to addiction. Those who drink non-alcoholic beer, as a rule, subsequently experience an irresistible craving for ordinary beer.
How to replace the taste of beer?
Of course, all warnings apply to cases of abuse of a foamy drink when a woman drinks non-alcoholic beer during pregnancy almost daily. Experts believe that a periodic desire to drink beer in pregnant women arises as a result of a lack of B vitamins and trace elements. And, if you wanted, by all means, to take a couple of sips of non-alcoholic beer - do it, but no more. To date, there is no consensus on whether pregnant women can drink non-alcoholic beer or not. Nevertheless, doctors recommend that women minimize the use of this drink, limiting themselves, for example, to holidays. And the taste of beer is perfectly replaced by ordinary seeds, rye crackers and brewer's yeast in tablets.