The benefits of apple cider vinegar They are wide and very varied. This vinegar is a natural food preservative and disinfectant. Additionally, it is a common home remedy for treating digestive problems, skin conditions, warts, lice, dandruff, and sore throats. It is a popular dietary supplement for weight loss, controlling sugar and cholesterol levels, lowering high blood pressure, and boosting immunity.
If you want to know the benefits of apple cider vinegar, check it out! Here we will tell you everything you need to know about this powerful vinegar.
What is apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar also known as apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple juice. Fermented juice (or cider) contains ethyl alcohol that is converted to acetic acid by a microbe called Acetobacter.
Organic or unpasteurized apple cider vinegar contains microbes. These microbes, such as yeasts and bacteria, are also collectively known as the «mother» and are rich in enzymes and proteins. They give vinegar its characteristic cloudy appearance and provide probiotic benefits to the body.
Apple cider vinegar also contains minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, and lactic, citric, malic, and acetic acids. One study reported that gallic acid and chlorogenic acid were the dominant phenolic compounds in the mother of apple cider vinegar. Acetic acid (5%) is the active compound of ACV. It is also responsible for the characteristic strong odor and bitter taste. It may be responsible for many purported health benefits.
What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar?
May have antimicrobial properties
Traditionally, apple cider vinegar was used as a food preservative and disinfectant. It could help prevent food spoilage by preventing the growth of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli.
can improve digestion
The «mother» in Apple vinager it is a probiotic. Probiotics help improve the intestinal microbial population. There is scientific evidence that consuming fermented foods can help keep your gut healthy. These good bacteria help provide nutrients to the body and also prevent the growth of pathogens. Probiotic bacteria reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and can also improve mental health.
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. Animal studies have reported that acetic acid has the potential to be used as a treatment for ulcerative colitis.
May promote weight loss
The anti-inflammatory and anti-adiposity properties of apple cider vinegar can prevent obesity and obesity-related cardiac complications induced by a high-fat diet. This was found in studies with rats. Another study in rats fed a high-fat diet reported that this vinegar may reduce the risk of obesity due to its antioxidant activity.
The results of animal studies have concluded that apple cider vinegar has significant antihyperlipidemic activity in rats with hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). Weight loss was observed in rats treated with this vinegar. His lipid parameters were also consistent.
In other studies, test subjects who consumed apple cider vinegar for eight weeks had lower levels of unhealthy fats or lipids.
Vinegar has also been effective against obesity, according to a Japanese study. The results of the study indicated that vinegar intake reduced body weight (weight loss), body fat mass, visceral fat, and serum triglyceride levels in obese Japanese subjects.
In another study, vinegar also increased satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. This can help fight obesity. Another study claims that the use of vinegar can help reduce postprandial blood glucose.
Can improve heart health
Animal studies have revealed that vinegar can lower blood triglycerides and cholesterol. Dietary acetic acid reduced serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in rats fed high-cholesterol diets.
One study looked at the effect of vinegar on hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Vinegar reduced most biochemical parameters, such as cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and apolipoprotein A (ApoA), which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis.
Hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to heart problems. Vinegar was also found to lower blood pressure in rats. These preliminary animal studies need to be confirmed in humans.
Can help control diabetes
Apple cider vinegar’s ability to help maintain a normal blood sugar level is one of its most studied benefits.
Studies have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar lowers blood sugar levels considerably. Similarly, an animal study showed that giving this vinegar to diabetic rats for four weeks significantly reduced blood sugar levels.
Can improve skin health
Apple cider vinegar contains alpha-hydroxy acids, including lactic and malic acids. These acids have been widely used in skin care.
Lactic acid improves skin hydration. It also gently exfoliates the skin (removes dead skin layers), improves skin texture, and helps reduce fine lines by boosting cell turnover. Lactic acid is also reported to treat dark circles and hyperpigmentation when combined with trichloroacetic acid.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar may help relieve psoriasis symptoms, which include itchy, scaly patches. However, there is no scientific data to support this claim.
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial activity. It can help treat acne-prone skin. However, more research is warranted in this area.
can improve immunity
Between the benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it is rich in antioxidants and phenols. These compounds help remove toxins from cells produced during oxidative stress. Many home remedies use apple cider vinegar to treat inflammation-related conditions such as multiple sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, scientific evidence in this regard is scarce.
side effects of apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is relatively safe to consume. But despite the multiples of the benefits of apple cider vinegarcertain precautions must be taken.
- Its acidic nature can cause a mild burning sensation in the throat and stomach.
- It can damage tooth enamel and cause dental erosion.
- In one study, long-term consumption of apple cider vinegar had caused hypokalemia (potassium deficiency) in a woman.
- Topical application of undiluted vinegar can cause burns and skin irritation.
- Apple cider vinegar can also cause nausea, acid reflux, belching, flatulence, and irregular bowel movements.