An Overview of Bitter Orange and Pregnancy
Bitter orange is citrus fruit. It is probably safe for pregnant women if eaten as a food. However, bitter orange (as its name suggests) is far too bitter for most people to consume as a food. As a result, most bitter orange is consumed in
weight-loss pills or other herbal supplements. It is not known whether this type of
bitter orange use is safe for pregnant women.
Bitter Orange Safety During Pregnancy
Bitter orange contains many different active ingredients, most of which have not been shown to be safe for use during pregnancy. In fact, one component (synephrine) is a stimulant that may cause
high blood pressure (
hypertension) or other heart problems (including
heart attacks and
strokes). Synephrine is similar to
ephedra and has never been shown to be any safer than ephedra (which has been banned due to safety concerns).
Because it is never medically necessary for a pregnant woman to take bitter orange (and since the risks are unknown), it is usually recommended that pregnant women avoid taking bitter orange products.
If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to have a discussion with your healthcare provider about bitter orange. Depending on your healthcare provider's recommendations and your own level of concern about using bitter orange, you may decide that it is best to avoid bitter orange during pregnancy.
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