Curious about the benefits of apple cider vinegar? Here are all the reasons why everyone is drinking apple cider vinegar, plus helpful tips on how to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your diet.
In This Post You'll Find:
- Listen To This Article
- Watch My Video On Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits
- What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
- Why Drink Apple Cider Vinegar?
- Health Benefits
- Weight Loss Benefits
- Apple Cider Vinegar And Blood Sugar
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Heart Health
- How To Pick The Best ACV
- Potential Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar
- Reviews
Lately, everybody seems to be talking about the benefits of apple cider vinegar- how amazing it is and how it has so many health benefits. Is this just hype or is apple cider vinegar actually amazing? Are there actual health benefits of apple cider vinegar?
Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar was used as a natural remedy for health problems for a very long period. It’s an ancient remedy.
Let's get into the benefits.
Listen To This Article
It's important to note that apple cider vinegar won’t work miracles. And it can't replace a balanced diet and exercise. It's also important to recommend you speak with your doctor regarding whether adding apple cider vinegar to your diet is a good idea.
Watch My Video On Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made from apples. Duh, right? More specifically, it's fermented apple juice. To make apple cider vinegar, apples are crushed and exposed to yeast. By doing this, the natural sugar from the apple is fermented over time and turned into alcohol (like you would do with wine).
The difference between apple cider and apple cider vinegar is the apple cider vinegar is fermented twice–once to make alcoholic cider and a second time to make it vinegar.
Why Drink Apple Cider Vinegar?
As crazy as it may sound at first, drinking apple cider vinegar may bring you many health benefits which will be discussed in detail in just a sec. Additionally, apple cider vinegar may reduce cravings by inducing satiety (the feeling of fullness), making apple cider vinegar potentially helpful for weight loss.
Health Benefits
There has been some debate on the benefits of apple cider vinegar, which is why I am only sharing findings from trusted research articles. Based on my research, apple cider vinegar may...
- lower blood sugar levels
- improve insulin sensitivity
- increase satiety
- reduce belly fat
- lower cholesterol
- improves heart health
In the following sections, I'll break these down into how they might be impactful.
Weight Loss Benefits
A 2009 study by Kondo, et al. concluded apple cider vinegar might be effective for weight loss because the apple cider vinegar groups showed reduced body weight, BMI, visceral fat area, and waist circumference, compared to the placebo group. Another study found beneficial effects of ACV on weight management, and in particular, for overweight or obese individuals in that a combination of calorie restriction and apple cider vinegar intake led to a decrease in appetite, body weight, BMI, and hip circumference.
So...how does this happen? Apple cider vinegar may increase satiety (your feeling of fullness), which would help cue your body to stop eating.
For more on apple cider vinegar and weight loss, read this post.
Apple Cider Vinegar And Blood Sugar
Apple cider vinegar has been associated with reduced blood sugar levels when one is fasting, which could be beneficial for people who have difficulty regulating their own blood sugar levels, like those who have diabetes. However, the research authors note more research is needed to test this correlation further.
If you have diabetes and take insulin or prescription drugs, you should talk to your doctor before drinking apple cider vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Heart Health
Drinking apple cider vinegar before a meal may help lower cholesterol. Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases HDL (good cholesterol) in rats. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature concluded a significant favorable effect of ACV consumption on blood lipid levels.
A 2023 meta-analysis by Tehrani, et al. found that consumption of apple cider vinegar had a favorable effect in decreasing some Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) risk factors, which are a set of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
How To Pick The Best ACV
Watch how to choose a good-quality ACV and the best way to drink ACV.
Potential Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar
It is important to note there are certain instances when apple cider vinegar is not recommended. Potential side effects of Apple Cider Vinegar may include:
- Tooth decay and weakened tooth enamel: As a reminder, drinking apple cider vinegar without diluting it is not recommended because it is acidic and may cause the breakdown of your tooth enamel. If you choose to drink apple cider vinegar, be sure it is diluted in water or another liquid.
- Skin and throat burns: Applying apple cider vinegar to the skin and throat may cause chemical burns in some people.
- Lacking long term appetite suppression – while the research did find ACV to help lower appetite, it is also noted it was only observed for the short term, not for the long-term
- Small studies have suggested that apple cider vinegar may reduce the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the lower digestive tract, which could slow the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream and lead to heartburn, nausea, and bloating.
Have you tried apple cider vinegar? Let me know in the comments below!
Shirley
I find that 8oz of water with a tablespoon of ACV twice a day with meals is a refreshing drink. I bought a pump bottle to dispense the vinegar making it easier to measure.
Ruby Hill
I used 2 tbsp acv a cup of water honey and ginger and it has a pleasant taste. This was my first time, I will incorporate this in my daily intake in the morning and before bedtime.
William Paul
wow nice
Mary D Martinez
I drink ACV mornings and night ... For better taste I use ginger, lemon, cinnamon and Raw honey...amazing results
Maxine moates
I have been drinking this for about 4 years. This is what I put in it. 2 T. Of Braggs ACV, green tea, made from 2 teabags of brewed tea. 1 T of honey, a shake of cinnamon, lemon juice from one lemon. Put all of that in a quart jar, add about 1/4 cup of pure cranberry juice. Shake it up. Fill to the top with hot water, and drink from a straw. It has not helped with weight loss, but healthy otherwise - no colds or flu since I have been doing it.
Ronnie
I steep two tea bags in a liter of boiled water then let it cool, add three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and stevia to taste then sip in throughout the day until it's gone so I'm getting small doses of it all day. I alternate between various fruit and herbal teas so I don't get bored of drinking the same thing every day. Currently it's ginger citrus tea, yesterday was a turmeric, ginger peach. I started this because I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and it's said to reduce inflammation and other symptoms as I seek alternatives to taking such a dangerous drug as Humira.
Harry T Norton
I'm on my 3rd bottle I drink 3tbs every morning when I get up along with amino acid 2222 pill and clear muscle from GNC and i drink it straight with water as a chaser
Patricia McCracken
A work associate avoided surgery for bleeding ulcers by drinking aloe vera juice - daily. I was in touch with her for at least 8 years after and she never needed the surgery. I don't remember how much she would drink each day, so research and/or check with your doctor.
Fernando
when is the best time to drink apple cider vinegar? when you wake up? before going to sleep? does it make any difference?
Patricia Mendez
I love ACV! I use it as a facial astringent. It must work because although I’m 52 folks think I’m in my 30s.
Karen
I need to ask, do you put it on straight undiluted, or do youmix it with water? I've been putting it on straight, and it seems ok and nice for my skin so far. Its not been too long though.
Keisha
Karen don't use it undiluted on your face...use 1:3 ratio so get a container and make a toner with it eg. 1/2 acv to 1 1/2 water. You want the benefit without the burn
Avoel
how do you use it? I would love to know. Thank you
Traci Lackey
What is your mixture ratio for that?
Debbie
I have created an ACV concoction that even my hubby will drink. 2 TBSP ACV, 10-12 oz. Water, 1/2 teasp. Cinnamon, sweetener to taste...I use liquid Stevia. Chill. Tastes like liquid apple pie! I take mine to work in a Mason jar.
Kaye
I am going to try it this way because I really dont like the taste of ACV...kind of excited now. Thanks!
Lyn svrakov
Yes I am wounding if the pills do the same hope you can help Lyn
Veronica
I've been taking "Spring Valley" ACV
Pills, 1 pill twice a day, I poop 2-3 a day instead of once every 4-6 days.less headaches, I don't struggle to tie my shoes, my pants/shorts don't roll down my gut, just noticing how my clothes fit motivated me to do better, ya pills work. For me anyway. Good luck.
Kelli.lynn
I started day 1 yesterday. i could tell that i ate less and had less cravings for junk food. I took 1 tsp when i woke up, after lunch and b4 bed.
Priya
Is there a particular time wherein one should drink ACV, eg before a meal or after?
and how many times a day?
Charlotte
I like this
Nicole Peterson
I use it diluted (at least 50%) with water as a skin toner almost daily after washing my face. It really helps to give my skin a healthy glow and has helped to remove a few dark spots.
I've also used it as a hair rinse 1 - 2 times a week and had good results there too!
Lacey Baier
That's amazing! I haven't used it as a skin toner yet, but have been meaning to! Thanks for sharing!!
Leah Rosenthal
How do you mix it to use as an astringent? I'm on a strict diet to lose weight before major surgery, and I'm noticing wrinkles as my face loses fat. I'd love to give the ACV a try 🙂🤞
Archie Cadell
The best advantage is APPLE CIDER VINEGAR reduces belly fat. and with this I could reduce my fat..Such a healthy item
Lacey Baier
Yea, it is def one of the better ones 😉
Jennifer Woodard
Will the pills work just as well?
Lacey Baier
That's a great question! I'm actually not sure about the pills.