Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting sugar from apples. This process turns them into acetic acid, which is the main active compound in vinegar. Historically, apple cider vinegar has been used to add a sweet, tangy taste to salad dressings, soups, sauces, and hot drinks. Even before that, it was used in ancient practices as a natural, healing medicine. In recent years, apple cider vinegar has been the hot topic in the fitness world, and more people are realizing its amazing benefits. For example, apple cider vinegar has been shown to help people lose weight.
In a trial surveying 175 overweight subjects who consumed a drink containing 0, 1, or 2 tablespoons of vinegar each day, those who consumed vinegar experienced slight weight loss of between 2 to 4 pounds and lower triglyceride levels than those who drank no vinegar. This is important because although you need some triglycerides for good health, high levels of triglycerides can raise your risk of heart disease and might be a sign of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excessive fat around the waist, low levels of good cholesterol, and high triglycerides. Other health benefits of apple cider vinegar include:
- High in nutrients
On a basic level, adding apple cider vinegar is a great way to get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. It is high in vitamin B1, B2, and B6, biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C. Apple cider vinegar also contains phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
- Helps kill harmful bacteria
There is a reason that apple cider vinegar has been used as a healthy preservative and as a natural disinfectant. Its main ingredient, acetic acid, can kill harmful bacteria or prevent them from multiplying. Its antibacterial effects can help with sore throats caused by bacterial infections. Apple cider vinegar can help kill a variety of bad bacteria in the body, which can help you fight diseases like pneumonia, meningitis, food poisoning, and more.
- Can improve skin health
Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxyl acids, which are beneficial for removing dead skin and revealing healthy, glowing skin underneath. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties do wonders for your body – inside and out. It helps remove the bacteria, oil, and dust that builds up on your skin. If you are struggling with a sunburn, you might first turn to the aloe vera, but apple cider vinegar has also been known to help heal sunburns.
- Can help manage blood sugar levels and diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a preventable chronic disease that affects how your body controls sugar in your blood. Considering that around 1 in 10 Americans have type 2 diabetes, apple cider vinegar can come to the major rescue here. One study conducted by the Department of Nutrition at Arizona State University yielded some rather interesting findings. During the study, one group of patients with well-managed type 2 diabetes who did not take insulin drank two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one ounce of cheese every night. The study also included a placebo group of patients with well-managed type 2 diabetes who drank water instead of apple cider vinegar. In the placebo group, blood sugar levels in the morning were 2% lower by the end of the study. In the group who drank the apple cider vinegar, their fasting blood sugar levels in the morning were 4-6% lower. Because of results like these, patients with type 2 diabetes as well as those who are interested in managing their blood sugar levels would do well to incorporate apple cider vinegar into their diet.
- Can strengthen heart health
Some evidence suggests that adding apple cider vinegar to your diet can be helpful in improving cardiovascular health. For example, one study found that rats who were fed apple cider vinegar for four weeks experienced a significant reduction in bad cholesterol levels, or LDL. Apple cider vinegar also lowered blood pressure in rats.
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