So you are here to read about the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV). Why not? After all, it’s soo good for your health.
Before diving into the actual health benefits, let’s talk a bit about ACV. Now, you might have a good idea of what is it, but there might be some things which you might still be not knowing. And having better knowledge about ACV will help you understand its benefits better and faster so that you can put it to use appropriately.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?
Another type of vinegar, phew!
Apple cider vinegar is something made from apple cider which has undergone fermentation to form health uplifting probiotics as well as enzymes. And the presence of acetic acid and malic acid makes it tastes sour.
It’s great for health because it’s nutrient-rich and its sugar content is just 5% of that present in apple juice or apple cider. But it tastes bad? Yes, but if you want to do some good to your body then you need to put it in one of your daily habits.
It has a lot of benefits ranging from treating sunburns to helping you lose weight and much more.
Health benefits of the super amazing Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Helps in weight loss
Apple cider vinegar is a boon for you if you want to lose weight. If consumed at the right time and right manner, it can be a great tool to lose weight fast. How? It prevents fat accumulation and promotes weight loss by stimulating the metabolic processes which in turn burns fat faster.
So it gives you two advantages over fat(no 1 enemy of weight loss)- it burns fat faster and doesn’t allow it to accumulate in the body.
You can either sip it directly or mix 2-3 tsp in a glass of water and have it around 30 minutes before every meal. It fills up your stomach and suppresses your hunger pangs. Unless you have extremely high cravings for your favorite dessert kept in the kitchen. In this case, you are more likely to not lose weight. Not being harsh, just a fact.
Briefing it up, ACV promotes fullness and makes you eat fewer calories which in turn leads to weight loss.
For example: If you consume 2 Tbsp of ACV along with your high carb meal, your feelings of fullness will rise and you will end up consuming 200-250 calories lesser than you normally consume for the day, as mentioned in a study.
Another study showed that consuming 2 Tbsp of ACV daily for 12 weeks resulted in 4 pounds of weight loss and that too without any other change in lifestyle or food habits.
That said, ACV alone can’t make you fit. As Apple cider vinegar promotes weight loss mainly by increasing the feeling of fullness, satiety and regulating the blood sugar levels but it is not a shortcut or a direct pathway to weight loss. There is no harm in drinking it before every meal but just consuming it alone without doing anything and then hoping to shred 10 pounds might actually not give results. ACV will definitely help you in your weight loss journey if combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle. As I have said before it can be great for weight loss if used correctly.
2. Lowers cholesterol levels thereby improving the heart health
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that can build up in the arteries primarily due to increased levels of saturated fats, trans fat, and sugar in the body. It causing the arteries to narrow down and harden, obstructing the flow of blood(it builds in the interior of the artery, which narrows down the blood flow path). Thus, the heart is forced to work harder and exert more pressure to push blood throughout the body.
Apple cider vinegar can help in keeping the arteries and heart-healthy by aiding in keeping the cholesterol levels low.
Experiments done on rats and other animals showed that consumption of ACV caused a reduction in the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) or bad cholesterol and triglycerides along with an increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) or good cholesterol. They also had a reduction in food intake due to the increase in the fullness effect of ACV and lower sugar intake. But I will again repeat that this study was done on animals and there is not much evidence that it is true for humans as well.
Though, adding some ACV to your diet won’t do any harm to you. While I was doing research on this topic to know more about the relationship of cholesterol and ACV, I came across this article “Can apple cider vinegar reverse cholesterol plaque build-up?” which I thought will be somewhat helpful to you as well, at least in knowing more about ACV.
Besides ACV, other ways to reduce cholesterol levels include minimizing sugar intake, minimizing the intake of unhealthy fats and increasing the consumption of healthy fats and other nutrients.
3. Regulates blood sugar levels, thus helpful in diabetes
Apple cider vinegar helps in regulating blood sugar levels in the body and this has been well studied and proven. Due to continued high levels of insulin, insulin resistance(sensitivity to insulin reduces) is developed making it ineffective, resulting in high sugar levels in the blood and diabetes. The anti-glycemic effects in ACV help to improve insulin sensitivity in your body which is required to maintain the blood sugar levels.
Since type-2 diabetes involves high blood sugar, this vinegar is quite beneficial for people suffering from this disease. Kick away diabetes, people who don’t suffer from diabetes also have high blood sugar problems these days which is a major cause for various diseases and even early aging.
So consuming 2 Tbsp of ACV mixed with a glass of water before every meal will improve the stomach’s digestion and will eventually keep sugar level in control.
If you are taking any type of medication for controlling blood sugar levels, then do consult your doctor before you start consuming ACV as a therapy.
4. Provide relief to your sick nose
Dealing with a sniffy or stuffy nose? A few spoons of ACV might prove useful for you in getting relief naturally. This is because the bacteria present ACV boosts up the immune system.
It reduces cold symptoms as well.
5. Repairs upset stomach
Sometimes we eat things that we are not supposed to eat or our stomach doesn’t want us to eat, simply because it can’t support it. So our stomach takes revenge for taking it lightly and mistreating it, making us suffer. I don’t know if it is sounding funny, but actually, it isn’t.
At such sounding funny serious times, ACV comes to the rescue. ACV contains pectin in a good quantity which helps the stomach to form fibrous matter. So in short, it tries to help in preventing diarrhea.
It also helps in providing relief from intestinal spasms. It balances the pH because acetic acid which is the principal component of it has an alkalizing effect on the body, itself being acidic. Overall, it optimizes the health of the stomach in such a condition and is beneficial for it. Mix 1-2 Tbsp of it with water for consumption.
6. Better digestion of food
ACV contains five types of probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that help in the digestion of food. ACV also contains prebiotics which promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. Prebiotics nourish the beneficial bacteria which is already present in your gut.
So its consumption will only aid in digestion. And consumption on a regular basis will overall improve the health of your digestive system, enhancing the ability to absorb and utilize nutrients.
Even the next time, you go out and you know that you are going to stress out your stomach, drink a glass of water with ACV mixed in it before you go. Prevention is better than cure!
Also, a good alternative for an antacid.
7. Soothe the sunburns
ACV is an effective natural remedy for providing relief from sunburn. It soothes the sunburnt skin making you feel better. Add ½ cup of ACV, 3 Tbsp of coconut oil and some lavender essential oil in around 1 gallon of cool water. Dip a washcloth in this solution and pat it gently on the affected areas. Do it for some time and you will feel better.
8. Fights fungus and yeast infections
Apple cider vinegar can treat fungal infections such as Athlete’s foot, jock itch and yeast infections as well. Mix 6 Tbsp pure aloe vera gel,1-2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 6-7 drops chamomile oil and 6-7 drops lavender pure essential oil. Mix it well and keep it in the refrigerator for cooling sensation when used. Apply it on the affected area twice a day. With time, you will notice an improvement. It may also reduce symptoms along with providing relief.
9. Regulates the blood pressure
One of the reasons for high blood pressure is increased alkalinity. This increase in alkalinity causes a decline in the potassium level which in turn increases the blood pressure. Potassium along with sodium maintains the blood pressure level, but too much sodium causes an increase in the blood pressure which is dangerous.
At such times, consumption of apple cider vinegar supplies potassium to the blood which reduces the blood pressure and also balances the sodium level. It also improves the blood circulation by reducing the cholesterol levels as you have studied above.
So if you are dealing with high blood pressure, it will be good to introduce apple cider vinegar in your diet. Mix 1 Tbsp of ACV and 1 Tbsp honey(it contains potassium as well) in a glass of warm water and drink this solution twice a day.
10. Minimize nighttime leg cramps
Nighttime leg cramps are the most unwanted thing that happens in the midst of our relaxing night sleep. If you get them, then I can totally feel you because even I have got them. And at that time, I just want to die, so that I could save myself from that indescribable pain where you are kind of helpless as well. Can we do something about this?
Well, to be honest with you I don’t know how it works or what are the actual facts behind this. I haven’t tried it myself but doing it won’t do any harm.
Potassium, calcium and other minerals are required in adequate proportion to prevent cramping or at least to try to minimize them.
Now u can guess who comes to the rescue!
Apple cider vinegar! Yes!
2 Tbsp of ACV mixed with water, twice a day on a daily basis dissolves the acid crystals in the blood which helps to provide these minerals.
Buying the best
Looking to buy the best kind of Apple cider vinegar? The one which is organic, raw, unpasteurized and unfiltered is the best.
Are you planning to start including it in your diet? If yes, for which benefits?
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