Apple cider vinegar is good for more than just cooking. The benefits of apple cider vinegar are broad. For example, it can act as an antibacterial agent, making cleaning a breeze. It also can alleviate health issues like blood pressure, blood sugar, digestive health and even dandruff.
That said, you don’t want to drink vinegar straight. Experts tell the Chicago Tribune that it’s important to dilute vinegar before ingesting it. This can be done by adding one or two tablespoons of vinegar to a cup of water. Then you can drink the mixture before consuming a meal.
Diluting vinegar is important because the acid found in vinegar can burn the mouth and esophagus, and it can damage those pearly whites at full strength. Further, be sure to discuss using vinegar with a doctor if you have diabetes because it is said to interact with medications.
So just how can you use vinegar to improve your health?
Have a look at these six possible health benefits of apple cider vinegar. You just may be surprised.
Bacteria
According to information published on the The Dr. Oz Show's website, vinegar actually can kill bacteria. This is why it is used in kitchen disinfection. However, this quality applies to the inside of the body as well.
This is because vinegar is a natural antibacterial food, which is great for sore throats. Vinegar’s natural acidity brings down the pH levels of the body's tissues, and this inhibits bacteria growth.
Another important aspect of vinegar is the acetic acid it contains. In fact, Dr. Oz reports that a 2014 study concluded that acetic acid can be beneficial when it comes to drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Plus, vinegar is a natural cleaning agent. According to The New Homemaker, vinegar can be used for many household tasks. Not only can it remove stickers from just-purchased household products, but it also can remove odors, like those that remain after pet accidents. It can even be used to clean windows by combining vinegar with water and washing windows down. It can make for a great agent when it comes to cleaning bathrooms and kitchens.
Blood Sugar
According to Web MD, apple cider vinegar is a natural way to control diabetes because it's beneficial for controlling blood sugar levels.
Researcher Carol Johnson, Ph.D., has studied apple cider vinegar for more than a decade. According to Web MD, she says that it may act like medication for blood sugar regulation.
“Apple cider vinegar’s anti-glycemic effect is very well documented,” Johnston tells Web MD. “It doesn’t block the starch 100 percent, but it definitely prevents at least some of that starch from being digested and raising your blood sugar.”
That said, remember that no one thing is a quick fix for everything. According to Web MD, medical experts want patients to take appropriate medical precautions as well. In other words, don’t just stop taking medications and turn to apple cider vinegar as your sole health management tool.
"Trying to use vinegar to treat diabetes is like trying to bail out a flooded basement with a teaspoon," Michael Dansinger, M.D., director of Tufts University’s diabetes lifestyle coaching program, tells Web MD. "I’m concerned that drinking vinegar, even diluted in water, increases acid in your system, which puts a strain on your kidneys and bones.”
Instead, Dansinger wants patients to take a research-backed dietary approach. This involves changing the overall diet as opposed to just one aspect. Caution should be used in people who experience gastroparesis, and doctors should always be informed about any experimental methods.
Digestive Health
According to The Dr. Oz Show, apple cider vinegar can be great for digestive problems. For example, gas can be combatted by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of either tea or water before eating a meal. This is also said to be good for constipation.
Apple cider vinegar might even help with heartburn. This may be because heartburn has been linked to levels of stomach acid that are too low, and vinegar may elevate these levels.
Blood Pressure
Some studies suggest that vinegar may reduce blood pressure. In one such study, the effects of vinegar on blood pressure were observed. Researchers found that the acetic acid found in vinegar significantly lowered blood pressure levels.
Weight Loss
According to Authority Nutrition, vinegar may aid weight loss. Studies have shown that vinegar may be linked to how full you feel, which may control overeating and lead to weight loss.
In fact, when vinegar has been added to high-carbohydrate meals, it has been shown to reduce calorie intake by 200 to 275 calories, and research in obese subjects showed that consuming vinegar daily battled the belly bulge.
However, some health experts cite concerns with this claim. According to the Mayo Clinic, there isn’t a great deal of scientific evidence to back up these claims. Vinegar can be harmful because it can irritate the throat if consumed too often. Further, the interference that it can have with medications can be a factor in causing the body to have low levels of potassium.
Dandruff
According to Dr. Oz, apple cider vinegar may fight embarrassing dandruff. To try it, combine a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar with water. Then add the solution to a spray bottle and use it after shampooing hair. Allow it to stay on your head for 15 minutes, and then rinse it out. If used twice a week, dandruff should subside.