7 Reasons to Try Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Apple cider vinegar (ACV), made from fermented apples and water, is the most popular type of vinegar in the natural health community. Raw unfiltered ACV is considered the healthiest version, and contains a substance formed by natural enzymes during fermentation that settles at the bottom, which are safe to consume. ACV’s indefinite shelf life makes it safe even when cloudy. It contains 0 calories and no fat, carbohydrates, protein, or fiber.

Here are just some of its possible benefits and uses:

  1. Weight loss. Dietician and certified diabetes instructor Katie Rankell of UC Irvine Medical Center says ACV helps lower blood sugar by reducing carbohydrate absorption and contributing to feelings of fullness that can help people avoid overeating. 
  2. Healthy gut flora. Like other fermented foods and beverages, such as yogurt and kombucha, ACV is rich in enzymes and probiotics, which helps the digestive system work efficiently.
  3. High cholesterol. A popular animal study showed that obese rats who took ACV daily had a reduction in total cholesterol, but since the study was done only on rats, its results are not yet proven for humans.
  4. Type 2 Diabetes. ACV can possibly help people with type 2 diabetes, according to a study in Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, which found that 2 teaspoons of ACV with a meal containing complex carbohydrates reduced a spike in blood sugar after the meal by 20 percent compared with a placebo. Another randomized, placebo-controlled study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people taking ACV before a meal had an improved insulin response, and a study in Diabetes Care found that people with diabetes who drink 2 tbsp of ACV before bed with 1 ounce of cheesehad reduced fasting glucose levels the next morning, compared with a control group who ate the cheese snack with water.
  5. Eczema. A December 2016 study in Annals of Dermatology found treating the skin of mice with eczema with vinegar cream resulted in fewer flares. ACV was added to a cream (rather than pure vinegar), but individuals should consult with a dermatologist before using ACV topically.
  6. Dandruff and other skin ailments. The acidity of ACV changes the pH of the skin and scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Applying ACV to the scalp can inhibit dandruff. It also can be used as a toner that exfoliates the skin and makes it less oily.  
  7. Destroys harmful bacteria/disinfectant. ACV and other vinegars can kill harmful bacteria or prevent them from multiplying. In addition to being used as a disinfectant and natural preservative, it may help reduce instances of E. coli. Those same antibacterial properties may also help with infections of the throat. It has been suggested that gargling with ACV can soothe a sore throat and create an acidic environment in the esophagus that most germs can’t survive.

Learn more about the possible benefits of apple cider vinegar at https://fcer.org.