Apple cider vinegar is a common staple in many kitchens, but are we using it in the most effective way? Here are six useful apple cider vinegar facts to help you maximize its health benefits.
High in healthful substances. Have you ever wondered where apple cider vinegar gets its strong smell and flavor? The distinct scent comes from bacteria that are added to the fermented sugar of crushed apples and yeast. This combination becomes acetic acid, the main active compound in vinegar.
According to researchers, this strongly smelling stuff is what gives apple cider vinegar its health benefits, along with a substance called mother, which is comprised of strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria.
If you get good quality apple cider vinegar, then you can also expect to benefit from some amino acids and antioxidants.
Can help kill harmful bacteria. People have been using vinegar to clean and disinfect anything from wounds to kitchen counters for thousands of years because of the sanitizing properties of acetic acid.
Studies show that another handy use of apple cider vinegar is as a food preservative because it prevents dangerous bacteria such as E. coli from spoiling your food.
May help lower blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. Some studies show that people with type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance or the inability to produce insulin, can benefit from consuming apple cider vinegar. Research suggests that vinegar may significantly lower blood sugar and insulin response. There was also a small study conducted where people with diabetes consumed two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before going to sleep at night and found that their fasting blood sugar was reduced by four percent by the morning.
That said, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before increasing your intake of any kind of vinegar if you are already taking medication to lower your blood sugar.
May aid weight loss. Consuming vinegar can make you feel fuller for longer, which may help you eat fewer calories and support weight loss.
A study conducted over three months investigated the effects of apple cider vinegar on 175 people with obesity. The results showed that daily apple cider vinegar consumption resulted in reduced fat and overall weight loss.
Improves heart health in animals. There are many studies that suggest that apple cider vinegar contributes to lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as other heart disease risk factors, but a good number of these studies were conducted on animals.
There is still a lot of research to be done on the benefits of vinegar in human heart health.
May boost skin health. Diluted apple cider vinegar is an effective home remedy for acne and other skin conditions like dry skin and eczema because it can help rebalance the natural pH of the skin.
This strengthens your skin’s natural protective barrier while simultaneously killing bacteria that may have otherwise caused acne or other skin problems.
