We hate to be the ones to break it to you, but the touted heart benefits of red wine still don’t make it ok for pregnant women. Resveratrol — the ingredient thought to prevent blood clots and damage to blood vessels — does much more harm than good to fetuses.
According to a study by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), Resveratrol leads to developmental abnormalities in the fetal pancreas when taken during pregnancy. And this isn’t just important news for pregnant women who have an occasional glass or two — women taking OTC Resveratrol supplements for heart health need to be aware as well. In fact, it was the supplements that researches used to conduct their study. (Makes sense; we can imagine pregnant women would be pretty leery to drink wine as an experiment!)
Worried about the females who were administered supplements? They were monkeys. But the findings hold true for humans; “There are always negative side effects when you eat, drink, take or do too much of anything,” says researcher Kevin L. Grove, PhD. “The important message in this study is that women should be very careful about what they consume while pregnant.”
You should always consult your doctor before taking any supplements or vitamins during pregnancy. And the wine can wait.
Which supplements and prenatal vitamins are you taking?
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
