If you believe everything you hear about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, you’d be inclined to think it’s an elixir from the fountain of youth. There are possibly more myths about the benefits of apple cider vinegar than truth. Many of these alleged benefits have no scientific evidence to back up their claims.
However, that’s not to say apple cider vinegar is without any health benefits. All vinegars contain acetic acid—which can be helpful, and therefore most vinegars provide similar results. It’s important not to take a shot of vinegar of any kind, but to dilute it in water (one cup per tablespoon of vinegar), so you don’t send acid straight to your lungs or esophagus.
Remember—some vinegar is good, but too much can have damaging effects. Here are some of the real health benefits of apple cider (and other varieties of) vinegar:
• Reduces Bloating- Apple cider vinegar increases your stomach’s acidity, helping you to digest food more easily and move it into your small intestine. When digestion is slow, you can develop acid reflux and heartburn, which can trigger feelings of fullness and bloating. Drinking a small amount of daily vinegar can combat bloating.
• Keeps You Feeling Full for Longer- Drinking vinegar daily before breakfast, researchers have found, helps keep you more satisfied after eating. Using vinegar on a regular basis can help you with appetite suppression and dieting.
• Lowers Your Blood Pressure- There have been studies that suggest that drinking vinegar can lower your blood pressure by several points. Animal studies on rats have already shown this to be true, but there is still additional research to be done on the effect on humans and why this occurs.
• Balances Your Body’s pH Levels- Vinegar is acidic, but it neutralizes your body’s pH once you digest it, making your pH more basic (alkaline). Studies show that those who consume more alkaline diets, including more veggies and fewer meats, tend to have greater bone mineral density. Higher bone density helps in preventing osteoporosis and other bone diseases. However, more research is needed on the possible benefits of apple cider vinegar for pH balance.
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| Apple cider vinegar. Source: esc.gov |
• Increases the Benefits of Consumed Vitamins and Minerals- If you don’t eat foods with enough acid, your body doesn’t absorb B6, folate, calcium, and iron very well. By ingesting acid in the form of vinegar, your body will more readily be able to absorb these vitamins and nutrients, which are essential to your health.
• Additional Benefits- There are many additional health benefits of apple cider and other vinegars, including helping to relieve bad breath, deodorizing stinky feet, relieving jellyfish stings, and more. There is still more ongoing research necessary on the positive effects of vinegar.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar is not a panacea, but there are many benefits to using apple cider vinegar on a regular basis. Almost any vinegar will work if you dilute it properly. Use apple cider vinegar as one aspect of a healthy diet and exercise program. Drinking vinegar is only one part of a multi-dimensional program to staying healthy, so discuss your health with a doctor, nutritionist, or other medical professional to determine the right course of action for you.
