The Truth about Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an ingredient in many home remedies and some people recommend a dose or two of the vinegar daily for many health benefits. But is apple cider vinegar really that good for you? Here’s what you need to know about apple cider vinegar before trying it for yourself!
1. There is not much scientific evidence that shows the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not good for you.
It’s important to realize that there are not very many studies being done on apple cider vinegar and other natural remedies. Therefore, it’s hard to say whether apple cider vinegar is truly beneficial because there’s not a lot of strong evidence for it, but on the other hand there’s not much evidence against it either. It’s unfortunate that this is the reality; wouldn’t it be great if more scientists were studying natural remedies? But as long as a health remedy is not harmful, you can experiment on yourself and see what works and what doesn’t work for you, as long as you talk with your doctor before you try anything new.
2. There is some evidence that apple cider vinegar may lower blood sugar levels.
Elevated blood sugar levels are bad for people with type 2 diabetes, but people who don’t have diabetes still can get health problems from high blood sugar levels, such as certain chronic diseases. A common recommendation for keeping blood sugar levels stable is to avoid refined carbs and sugar. However, consuming apple cider vinegar may also improve blood sugar levels as well as improving insulin sensitivity, as shown in several studies.
3. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence for the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Many people have claimed that taking a daily dose of apple cider vinegar has helped their health in a myriad of ways. These health benefits include:
- Clearing up sinus infections and other infections in the body
- Getting rid of kidney stones
- Improving sleep
- Relieving constipation and other digestion problems
- Fighting overall inflammation and arthritis
- Removing moles, warts, skin tags, acne scars, and age spots
- Soothing bug bites
- Healing cold sores
- Reducing dandruff
- Easing sunburns
- Reducing mucus
- Lessening allergy symptoms
- Reliving acid reflux
Will apple cider vinegar work for you in the same ways? Every human body is different, so there’s only one way to find out: try it for yourself.
4. It is generally recommended that you should only consume organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar if you want to reap the health benefits, but there is no proof that it’s “better” than regular apple cider vinegar.
Some studies suggest that it’s actually the properties of vinegar that give you all the health benefits, so you would probably get the same benefits if you took a daily dose of a different type of vinegar, such as balsamic vinegar. Again, experiment with the various types and see what works for you.
5. A daily dose of apple cider vinegar is usually one tablespoon in a big glass of water, at least as a starting point.
Some people recommend that you increase the dosage slowly over time to build up to 2 or 3 tablespoons per day if you find the increased dosage beneficial to your health.
6. Don’t drink apple cider vinegar straight-up because it can harm your body.
The vinegar is so acidic that it can damage your tooth enamel and your esophagus.
7. Apple cider vinegar capsules probably don’t work as well.
You might want to avoid the acidic taste of apple cider vinegar by taking capsules, but many capsules are very questionable in their contents and some of them might not even contain apple cider vinegar at all.
If you’re curious about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar and want to try it for yourself, here are 5 delicious drinks to make your daily dose a more enjoyable experience.
Do you take apple cider vinegar? How has it helped your health?
Sources:
- https://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/06/02/12-reasons-why-apple-cider-vinegar-will-revolutionize-your-health/
- https://authoritynutrition.com/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/apple-cider-vinegar-and-health
- https://www.healthambition.com/apple-cider-vinegar-drink-daily-better-health/
I’m Elisa and I live in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two little girls. I used to teach reading and writing, but now I stay at home with my two kiddos and read and write in my spare time. I also love to undertake DIY projects, find new recipes on Pinterest, and dream about someday finally completing our home. Above all, I love to learn about new things and sharing my new-found knowledge with others.
