Some studies show apple cider vinegar can be good for your health in small daily amounts.
Maybe your friends are doing it, the neighbors are trying it out, or you’re dousing it down yourself: apple cider vinegar. While many people consider vinegar to be something you use to clean the kitchen countertops or dabble on salad or French fries, some people are indulging in the bitter liquid for purported health benefits. Are these real and should you partake? Maybe. From weight loss to better blood sugar levels, it might help. Here’s what the research says.
Apple cider vinegar might help you lose weight
People have been consuming vinegar in one form or another for thousands of years for a variety of reasons. Apple cider vinegar is made from fermenting the sugar that’s derived from apples turning them into acetic acid. Recently, some people have been consuming it in an effort to lose weight. And they may be onto something. A study done on just 155 people in Japan, (yes, wider research is needed), showed that ingesting about a tablespoon of vinegar per day could be beneficial.
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Those who did so lost weight as well as fat mass and triglycerides. More work needs to be done to determine if apple cider vinegar can have this effect in a wider range of people, but this good news. The work shows consuming a bit of vinegar daily could be of benefit.
It may help reduce your blood sugar levels
Keeping a constant blood sugar level can be key to lowering cravings and any tendency to overeat. One study found that when pre-diabetic people consumed apple cider vinegar after eating a meal, it lowered their blood sugar levels for the following 30 to 60 minutes. If you’re trying to avoid being tempted by an extra helping of dessert, this could be an approach that could help. Of course, always talk to your doctor about changing your eating habits and regime to make sure it’s safe for you to do so.
Too much vinegar comes with side effects
Yes, we can’t resist a reminder that you can always get too much of a good thing. Consuming too much vinegar can potentially erode the enamel on your teeth, which is bad news. Vinegar can also hurt your stomach and cause your potassium levels to drop too low. When potassium dips, this can cause your muscles to feel weak, and affect the rhythm of your heart. As with some other substances, vinegar can also potentially interfere with your medication so it’s important to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before adopting a new routine of consuming it.
Finally, people living with type 1 diabetes need to be careful consuming too much vinegar as it can potentially slow your digestion.
What’s the takeaway? Apple cider vinegar isn’t a miracle cure. It could help lead some people on a path towards better health, however. Always consult with your doctor and remember: the best results come from enjoying everything in moderation.
photo credits: Gayvoronskaya_Yana/Shutterstock.com
