The vinegar made from fermented apples and water is gaining a lot of popularity for many benefits. The apple cider vinegar is said to have 5% acidity and is used for various purposes such as a salad dresser, tooth whitener, and many more. However, the main question is whether apple cider vinegar is good for you or not. Research suggests that apple cider vinegar is said to have some antimicrobial properties and improves various health conditions if taken in the right quantity. Below given are various benefits and uses of apple cider vinegar.
- May promote weight loss
Many sources claim that apple cider vinegar can be beneficial in weight loss especially for people who are overweight. Apple cider vinegar alone cannot help you to lose weight however when combined with a low-calorie diet it can help you to lose more weight and also provides many health benefits. A study suggests that when people consumed a low-calorie diet along with apple cider vinegar they lost more weight as compared to those who only followed the diet.
It is also said to help you feel full for a longer time that can help you to avoid unnecessary calories, according to some studies it can also reduce belly fat. However, there is little evidence to support the statement and the results vary from person to person. Also, It is necessary not to consume too much apple cider vinegar as it can be harmful to your health.
- Lower Blood Sugar
The fact that apple cider vinegar can improve blood sugar levels is somewhat unknown. Some research suggests that it can reduce blood sugar especially in people who are likely to develop type-2 diabetes. It is beneficial in managing blood sugar levels and helps the nutrients to reach the cells. It is also said to good for blood pressure and problems like diabetes. According to studies, consumption of ACV even in a small amount for instance around 3-4 teaspoons can also be beneficial to manage high blood sugar levels, it is advisable to consume it before meals to ensure its effectiveness. It was also seen that diabetic people who took ACV at night time had lower blood glucose in the morning. It can also improve the problem of insulin sensitivity in many people who are insulin-resistant. However, it is necessary to dilute ACV with water before consuming it to avoid any stomach problems.
- Improve cholesterol levels
Some studies suggest that the consumption of apple cider vinegar can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Triglycerides or lipid fats are found in blood and are made by the calories that you consume but don’t use. High levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are associated with the risk of many heart problems like heart attack and stroke. It is observed in a study that people who followed a less calorie diet along with ACV not only lost more weight but also noticed lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. In some people, there was a rise in levels of a certain type of cholesterol that is referred to as good cholesterol or high density lipoprotein (HDL). This good cholesterol can lower the risk of heart problems and removes bad cholesterol as well. However, it is necessary to dilute ACV before consumption to avoid any other problems.
- Provides probiotics
One of the benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it is a source of probiotics. Probiotics are generally referred to as good bacteria or yeast that are good for your digestive system and also keeps your gut healthy. Some people may regard these bacteria as unhealthy or as germs, but this is not the case. Your body contains both good and bad bacteria and the intake of good bacteria can keep you healthy for a longer time. Although there are many sources of probiotics like curd, buttermilk, kefir or fermented milk, fermented vegetables, pickles, cheese, and many more. However, many of these products can cause inflammation or digestive issues. In such case, ACV with mother can be used as an alternative for the intake of probiotics. When yeast and bacteria go through the process of fermentation, the product formed is termed as mother.
- Improves hair health
Other than being used as a salad dresser and for other purposes apple cider vinegar is also known to improve your hair health by removing the leftover product buildup that can clog hair follicles. It acts as a mild exfoliator for the scalp and hair and adds shine to the hair. The acidic nature of ACV neutralizes the effect of alkali products that can cause frizz and deprives your hair of shine. It helps in the removal of dead skin cells and contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that keep problems like dandruff at bay. It is advised to do a patch test before applying the solution on your scalp as the solution can be strong for some people. Further dilute the solution if it is still strong for you.
- May help with skin problems
Skin problems like acne, blemishes, warts, or skin tags can also be treated with the help of apple cider vinegar. ACV is said to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that can kill many types of bacteria including the one that causes acne. Studies suggest that acids in ACV like lactic, acetic, and citric acid are beneficial in acne and kills acne-causing bacteria. It can also prevent scarring and discoloration of the skin. It is necessary to use organic ACV and to dilute it before use.
ACV is also said to remove warts without causing any pain. Although there are many professional methods for warts removal however they can be expensive and painful. The use of ACV for warts is said to work as it contains acetic acid and can kill certain types of bacteria. When ACV is applied to the wart, it gradually burns the skin and dries it up which can cause the wart to fall off. It is necessary to apply it with caution and discontinue the use if you experience any irritation.
- It can whiten teeth and clean dentures
Apple cider vinegar is acetic in nature and can be used to get whiter and stain-free teeth. It is said to be a bleaching agent that can help you balance the pH level in your mouth and promotes shinier teeth. It can be used as a mouthwash, or you can rub your teeth with the solution daily before going to bed. You can use a cotton swab to rub if you have stains that you want to get rid of. However, it is necessary to rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward as ACV is acidic in nature and it can be harmful to your teeth enamel.
ACV is also said to be an easy way to clean dentures. Although there are many other cleaning solutions specially made for this purpose, however the usage of those solutions can be harmful to your skin inside the mouth as the skin is very sensitive and those solutions contain many harmful chemicals. Using ACV can be effective and more natural. Combine ACV in warm water in equal ration to make the solution and use it. However, avoid this solution on partial dentures.