Can pregnant women drink suanmei tang (sour plum soup)?

Pregnant women can consume plum juice in moderation, but should pay attention to the amount of hawthorn used and avoid drinking chilled plum juice to prevent potential issues such as uterine contractions.

Plum juice is a traditional summer beverage, primarily composed of ingredients like black plums, hawthorn, osmanthus, licorice, etc., and is known for its effects of clearing heat, relieving internal heat, promoting saliva production, and quenching thirst. For pregnant women, moderate consumption of plum juice may help alleviate morning sickness, improve appetite, and potentially benefit the fetal development of bones and teeth. However, plum juice contains hawthorn, a substance believed to stimulate the uterus and possibly induce miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should be especially cautious when consuming plum juice, particularly during early pregnancy.

If pregnant women wish to drink plum juice, it is recommended to prepare it at home and minimize the use of hawthorn to reduce potential risks. Additionally, plum juice contains relatively high amounts of sugar, and excessive consumption may lead to elevated blood glucose levels, so pregnant women with gestational diabetes should be particularly cautious. Moreover, although plum juice has its benefits, it cannot replace adequate water intake, and pregnant women should still ensure sufficient daily hydration. It is also important to ensure that the plum juice is freshly prepared, avoiding commercially processed products containing preservatives or additives, as these components may be harmful to the fetus.