Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is becoming popular as people are gradually becoming more aware of its multiple benefits. Some of the major health benefits of apple cider vinegar include antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, many believe that it can help reduce weight, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Read along to know more about the nutritional value and benefits of apple cider vinegar.

10 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries to treat various ailments like cough and cold in many cultures. As a result, it has been a popular ingredient in many home remedies. In addition, people claim that it can get rid of various health impediments.

The various health benefits of apple cider vinegar are as follows:

1. Helps in Weight Loss

In a study conducted with overweight adults, individuals who drank 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with a beverage lost weight quickly compared to people who did not consume the said vinegar. The weight loss occurs because it increases metabolism, and the acetic acid present cuts down belly fat. However, just consuming diluted apple cider vinegar cannot help in drastic weight loss. To see positive effects, one needs to maintain a healthy diet and exercise daily alongside drinking diluted apple cider vinegar.

2. Manages Blood Sugar

Many believe that this vinegar increases insulin sensitivity. For example, few studies found that drinking apple cider vinegar after a high carb meal increased 34% of insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, individuals who consumed apple cider vinegar or ACV on an empty stomach with warm water saw more positive results. However, if an individual is under medication for diabetes, one should consult with a doctor before regularly consuming ACV.

3. Kills Bacteria

Apple cider vinegar acts as an excellent disinfectant. It kills harmful bacteria and contains beneficial bacteria like E.Coli. In addition, it protects food items from getting spoiled. Hence, it is used as a preservative in many cases.

Furthermore, these healthy bacteria make it an excellent source of probiotics and, if incorporated into the daily diet, can also improve one's gut health.

Due to ACV's antibacterial properties, one can also use it as a mouthwash instead of commercial alternatives.

4. Anti-fungal Properties

Cairo University did a study to prove apple cider vinegar's antifungal properties. According to the study, a type 2 diabetic man suffering from Candida had applied apple cider vinegar in the infected area twice a day for seven days straight. As a result, a 94% reduction was seen in the fungal count.

Because of these anti-fungal properties, ACV can easily reduce body odour and get rid of smelly feet.

5. Sore Throat

Since Hippocrates's time, people have been using apple cider vinegar as a sore throat remedy. He prescribed his patients to mix ACV with honey to get rid of cough, cold and sore throat in the 4th century B.C. Some prefer to drink the concoction, whereas few use it to gargle. Moreover, ACV has germ-fighting properties, making it the perfect ingredient for treating sore throat.

6. Promotes Skin Health

Apple cider vinegar prevents acne and pimples. Furthermore, it also removes age spots and fights the appearance of wrinkles. People also use apple cider vinegar to exfoliate their skin. ACV contains alpha hydroxy acids, and they remove dead skin cells, which results in healthy and glowing skin.

Moreover, this vinegar's antifungal and antibacterial properties are the best remedy to avoid stubborn pimples and acne.

7. Relieves Sunburns and Skin Injuries

Some people use apple cider vinegar to treat their sunburns. Most people add it to their cold bathwater. However, some also mix it with cold water and spray it all over their affected areas.

It has antimicrobial properties, which prevent skin infections. Furthermore, ACV helps relieve injuries like mosquito bites and jellyfish stings.

8. Stimulates Hair & Scalp Health

People who suffer from itchy scalp, dandruff and hair loss should use apple cider vinegar. Massaging diluted apple cider vinegar on the scalp helps get rid of dandruff. On the other hand, rinsing hair with ACV helps eliminate product build up, detangles hair, and adds shine.

9. Boosts Antioxidants

Apple Cider Vinegar contains antioxidants called polyphenols like gallic acid, catechins, ferulic acids and caffeic acid. These antioxidants aid in fighting free radicals that damage the human body.

Furthermore, certain anti-inflammatory polyphenols are also present in apple cider vinegar. Due to these reasons, many believe that it helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

10. Reduces Risk of Kidney Stones

Apple cider vinegar improves gut health by eliminating toxins as it is a probiotic agent. These toxins otherwise settle in the kidney, leading to a kidney stone in most cases. Instead, apple cider vinegar improves the body's ability to process all the excess minerals and toxins.

What Is the Nutritional Value of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar does not contain any vitamins, but it is a rich source of amino acids and antioxidants. The nutritional values based on a 15ml teaspoon of apple cider vinegar are as follows:

Total Calories- 3Kcal/13KJ
Carbohydrates- 0.1g
Sugar-0.4g
Potassium- 11mg
Sodium- 5mg
Calcium- 1mg
Magnesium- 1 mg

How to Include Apple Cider Vinegar in Your Daily Diet?

Apple cider vinegar has many beneficial properties, and one should incorporate it into their daily diet. For instance, individuals can drink diluted ACV with warm water on an empty stomach every morning. As a result, the belly fat will burn down easily and accelerate an individual's weight loss journey.

Furthermore, one can add apple cider vinegar to their salads in the form of vinaigrettes. This way, those leafy vegetables' nutritious value and taste will also enhance. Moreover, individuals can use ACV to replace regular white vinegar in cooking as ACV has more benefits than regular vinegar.

Who Should Avoid Consuming Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar has many advantages however it might not be beneficial for everyone. Individuals who should avoid consuming Apple Cider Vinegar include:

Diabetes patients- One of the significant benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it reduces blood sugar levels. However, this benefit can quickly turn into a disadvantage if the individual is on insulin injections or diabetic medications. There are high chances that the blood sugar levels of that individual will rapidly fall.
Patients with kidney problems- Furthermore, people consuming medicines that have diuretics in them should avoid taking apple cider vinegar. This is because diuretics have the potential to drain sodium and potassium from the blood. So consuming diuretics and apple cider vinegar will lead to low sodium and potassium levels in the blood.

Moreover, individuals should consult a doctor before incorporating apple cider vinegar into their daily diet, especially if they suffer from any medical condition and take medications for them.

Apple cider vinegar is used in many home remedies as it has a variety of health benefits. However, it should be consumed judicially as overconsumption will adversely affect the human body.

However, there are many health benefits of apple cider vinegar one should not use it as a replacement for medical treatment.