June 2022 • A Sweet Pea Chef

Not everyone likes the taste of apple cider vinegar and may decide to try gummies. But do ACV gummies work just as good as ACV? In this post, I’ll explain why it’s best to take liquid apple cider vinegar instead of gummies or pills. I know you’re looking to get healthier in all of the ways that you can. Exercising, eating clean, and taking time for self care are just a few of the ways we can improve our health. Consuming apple cider vinegar is another way to get on the healthy bandwagon, and if you haven’t read my post on the benefits of apple cider vinegar, why not take a look when you’re done here? But first, we’ll tackle the question about ACV gummies and whether or not they work. Y’all know that I am a BIG fan of apple cider vinegar. I’ve written posts, made videos about it, and I add ACV to my water every morning. Right off the bat, I want you to know that drinking ACV is a big part of my daily regimen, along with intermittent fasting and lifting weights. I love all of ‘em! So let’s dig a little deeper and look at apple cider vinegar vs. ACV gummies. We'll answer the question, "do ACV gummies work?" in no time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiT1BvupZl4 What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar? These are just some of the reasons I like ACV so much. For more details on the benefits of ACV, read my post on when to drink apple cider vinegar. It works on belly fat by helping to reduce fat accumulationACV gets your metabolism goingACV can help you lose weight (read about it here) by increasing fat burningIt’s great for your cholesterol levelsACV can help you feel fullACV doesn’t interfere with your fasting windowIt’s good for your digestionIt can help increase insulin sensitivityIt helps to reduce bloat. And more One of the biggest health benefits is that it reduces your blood glucose levels – interestingly, especially when taken at night. So why not try some AVC in a tonic before bed? Remember to brush your teeth afterward. I always drink my ACV with a straw because it can be hard on tooth enamel. But let’s get back to the ACV gummies. What are ACV Gummies? ACV gummies are gummies that have been processed and formed from ACV. When apple cider is fermented, it produces acetic acid which is where the benefits come in (like glucose control). So yes, that property is there in the gummies. However, they don’t work as well as the liquid. Although usually gelatin-free, you’ve got to be aware that the apple cider vinegar gummies do have a fair amount of additives like: Extracts from beets and pomegranatesPectinB vitaminsFolic acidSodium citrateMalic acidSugar (such as cane sugar) And of course, also included is ACV in powder form. Some gummies you’ll find on the shelf will contain only the ingredients ACV powder, sweetener and fillers. It’s difficult, really, to always know exactly what you are taking with the ACV gummies. But with apple cider vinegar in its original liquid form, what you see is what you get. And I do want to point out two more things with ACV gummies. You may think they are packed with extra nutrients like pomegranate and beetroot but in fact, the amount you’ll be consuming is only minuscule compared to what is required to be beneficial and there is processing too, which may remove the effectiveness even more. Also, there are no studies showing that ACV gummies are effective. So if you see marketing that says ‘based on science’ these gummies are amazing, it’s just not true. And don’t be fooled by ACV gummies that say they have extra nutrients that you absolutely need. Do ACV Pills Work? Studies have shown that ACV pills, even when crushed and taken in water as opposed to being taken in whole pill form, are not as effective as liquid apple cider vinegar. Taking extra pills to try and get the benefits and nutrition? That doesn’t work either. Even if you match the concentrate in pill form to the concentrate in liquid, it’s just not as effective. Again, your glucose levels are not controlled and improved like they are with apple cider vinegar. It’s also known that ACV in liquid form is very effective in preventing metabolic syndrome, which can lead to obesity. It’s important to note too, that the FDA doesn’t regulate ACV pills, so there is no sure way to verify exactly what’s in them since no one is regulating labeling. Are apple cider vinegar gummies as good as apple cider vinegar? Not by a long shot! Taking your ACV dose daily in water or a tonic is so easy (and more economical) so why not let those factors make the case, too? How Do I Take Apple Cider Vinegar? You may be reading this post because you don’t like the taste of ACV and wonder if ACV gummies work. If you really don’t like the taste, there are other ways to take it in an effective way BESIDES gummies or pills. Make a tasty salad dressing and include ACV as your vinegar. Pour it on your greens and enjoy! Making a smoothie? Add a tablespoon of ACV into the mix. If you’re a fan of barbecued steak, make your marinade and include apple cider vinegar. These are easy ways to incorporate ACV into your day so that you can get the benefits. One more thing to know about drinking apple cider vinegar rather than taking pills or gummies – it’s described as drinking apple cider vinegar with the mother. You want to buy apple cider vinegar that looks cloudy and may have particles floating in it. Produced during the fermentation process, that means acetic acid and probiotics are abundant. So choose that over ACV which is clear and filtered. What you’ll look for when you purchase ACV will be raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help You Lose Weight? ACV does suppress your appetite. That’s one of the reasons I start my day with a water bottle filled with a tonic of water and ACV. I make it through my fasting window more easily when I sip on the drink because it keeps me feeling full. So if you want to lose weight and don’t mind the taste of ACV, drink your apple cider vinegar tonic throughout the day and right before meals. How do I make my tonic? I take 2 tablespoons of ACV and add it to 20 ounces of water. You may want to start with 1 tablespoon until you get used to the taste. You can also add cayenne pepper for more oomph, or lemon juice tastes good mixed with the ACV and water, too! Ginger and cinnamon are two more spices to try. This drink also works as a hot or cold beverage. Do ACV gummies work for weight loss? I cannot back up ACV gummies for weight loss like I can with ACV. Hands down, ACV for weight loss is the way to go. Can I Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day? Yes, you definitely can drink apple cider vinegar every day. Made from apple juice, it’s a good idea for gut health, your immune system, and more. When you drink ACV every day, your digestive system will keep humming along as it should and you’ll have all the benefits of ACV as I mentioned above. Two tablespoons a day is the recommended dosage. I like to drink mine in water but if you can’t handle the taste, mix it into full fat plain Greek yogurt, along with some raw honey. Who Shouldn’t Drink Apple Cider Vinegar? AVC has so many good things about it that there are not many people who cannot enjoy the benefits. But, if in doubt, check with your doctor. You’ll want to be sure you don’t have issues like these: If you have gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying), ask your doctor if apple cider vinegar is okay for you and if they anticipate side effects. ACV does increase the time food stays in your stomach, so you don’t want to interfere with that if you have an ongoing problem. If you are on medication, check with your healthcare provider to ensure there is no chance of contraindication between your meds and the ACV. Medications for potassium levels and diabetes, along with certain diuretics, may be affected by ACV. Should You Take Apple Cider Vinegar Even Though You Eat Clean? Definitely, yes! Apple cider vinegar and clean eating are a great combo. But always stick to the pure unfiltered liquid apple cider vinegar, not the pills or gummies. Remember, we learned that ACV pills and gummies may have added sugars that you don’t need, and that affects the way apple cider vinegar helps your glucose. Other additives are included in the mix, too, that you don’t need if you eat clean. When you follow a cleanish diet (and if you need help with that, check out my 30 Day Healthy Plan), you’ll get everything you need as far as vitamins and minerals. After all, too much of a good thing is a real factor in your health. If you take too much of a certain vitamin or mineral, you can actually interfere with your body’s absorption of the nutrients you really need. I’m not saying that supplements are bad, but it’s important to speak to your doctor so they can determine what you DO need and target your deficiencies. It’s always best to know you are healthy as well, without an undiagnosed condition that may be causing deficiencies. Marketing is a big part of products like ACV in pill and gummy form to increase sales. But now you know that ACV liquid, while less expensive, is the better choice. The Final Word on Apple Cider Vinegar So in a nutshell, check in with your doctor regularly, eat a cleanish diet (stay away from processed foods), exercise regularly, and take ACV in its purest form. Remember, taking ACV is great (for instance, with fewer bacteria in the gut it's a natural remedy for bloating, my friends), but you can’t take it expecting that it will neutralize all negatives that come with bad habits like eating unhealthy foods and being sedentary. Believe me, you’ll feel so much better when you make your health a priority. Once you get started, you’ll find that living a healthy lifestyle becomes something you like. With benefits such as increased energy, better skin, fewer cravings, and all-around feeling good, what’s not to like? So watch my video Do ACV Gummies Work? and leave those ACV pills and gummies on the store shelf! This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.