With the smell of cinnamon in the air and the holidays now well upon us, apple cider is nearly the epitome of this season. However, local health departments are asking consumers to keep things in perspective when enjoying this warm drink-albeit uncritical-of it, if it is unpasteurized, since there may be some health concerns.
Ogle County Health Department in the Illinois state has, in recent times issued a seasonal advisory that enlightens on the dangers associated with unpasteurized apple cider. It says this form of apple cider holds hazardous bacteria that may cause severe cases of illness or even death if taken. “Apple cider is a drink prepared from freshly picked apples. It is usually somewhat murky and yellowish because it is not pasteurized or filtered,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Most apple orchards don’t bother to pasteurize because it isn’t necessary”.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, although most juices sold in the United States, are pasteurized or heat treated to kill dangerous bacteria, some juices and ciders remain untreated. They can be found in grocery stores, markets, cider mills and roadside stands.
The Fulton County Health Department in Georgia also issued the alarm, asking consumers to check the labels come autumn. “Make sure to read the labels — it must indicate whether or not the product has been heat-treated,” they added. In case unpasteurized cider is bought, the CDC recommends that it should be boiled for at least a minute prior to consumption to kill potential deadly pathogens.
The FDA has maintained that packaged juice products should carry a warning label stating, “WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and may therefore contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.” But no such warning is required for juice or cider sold by the glass-an increasingly common practice in apple orchards and juice bars.
Health regulators advise people to treat themselves with caution while taking apple cider, especially for the vulnerable. Children, old people, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of severe complications if these juices are unpasteurized. FDA reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with untreated fruit and vegetable juices.
To control risk this fall, the FDA is urging consumers to check labels and ask questions when they are unsure about whether the juice or cider has been pasteurized. “Don’t be afraid to ask if you are not sure or if the label is ambiguous or if the juice or cider is available only by the glass,” it advises.
When autumn festivities go in full swing, there can be nothing cosier than to sip into a warm cup of apple cider. But the consumer needs to know and be wary of what kind of cider one will intend to indulge in. It is therefore critical to know what kind of cider risks to avoid safe and enjoyable fall encounters.
Stay informed, stay safe, and responsibly savor the flavors of the season!
We will discuss also the benefits and side effects of the Unpasteurized Apple Cider below:
Raw Apple Cider: Health Benefits and Side Effects
Benefits to Health
- Rich in Nutrients: This unpasteurized apple cider is rich in those naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that fresh apples contain, including vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.
- Positive of Probiotics: The probiotic cultivation in raw cider fermentation can stimulate probiotics, friendly bacteria which have been hypothesized to promote a healthy gut and stimulate immunity.
- Antioxidant Property: Apples also contain lots of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids and polyphenols, which can serve to antagonize oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Hydration: Because the content is high in water, apple cider is hydrating, especially when taken in its liquid form, drinking it all throughout the whole day.
- Helps with Digestion: Some consumers say unpasteurized cider aids digestion, and that may be due to live enzymes and probiotics .
- Can Help with Weight Loss: Apple cider is very low in calories and a rather satisfying drink that can be helpful to people in order to curb their cravings, and thus is very suitable for people undergoing diets.
- All-natural Energy Boost: Natural sugars present within the apple cider can give instant energy. It is certainly a great refreshing drink for numerous activities.
Possible Negative Effects
- Risk of Food Poisoning: The major problem of raw apple cider apart from potential food-borne illness brought by pathogenic bacteria of E. coli and Salmonella, is serious illness to some populations with age, pregnancy, already compromised immune systems, and the very young and old.
- Gastrointestinal Disturbance: Gastrointestinal disturbance, therefore, is the major symptom created due to the living bacterial or acid sensitive natures in the cider. Allergic Reaction
- Those allergic to apples should not consume unpasteurized apple cider as this can trigger allergic reactions, which may be mild, moderate, or even extreme.
- Interaction with Other Drugs: Apple cider acidity reacts poorly with some drugs that affect the stomach and other parts of the gut. In such cases, it is always best to consult a health provider if you’re subjected to medication administration and consume apple cider regularly.
- High Sugar Content: Though apple cider is a naturally sourced drink, it still contains sugars. Overconsumption can lead to weight gain and can even contribute to dental issues.
- Alcohol Content: Apples that have been fermented might contain traces of alcohol. Such will be bad for some people consuming it due to health or other related personal reasons.
Unpasteurized apple cider, therefore can be very good for health. Nutrient availability along with probiotic qualities makes it a very nutritious one for health. At the same time, the risks are not to be forgotten on the unpasteurized products, especially foodborne illness.
If you are considering drinking unpasteurized apple cider, weigh the pros against the cons and discuss this with a healthcare provider if you have conditions or concerns. You can enjoy delicious cider responsibly during fall times.
You may also like to read this: Fuji Apple Calories, Nutrition Facts and Benefits and Apple Juice is good for you, 10 Health benefits of Apple Juice
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