You must have come across the long list of incredible health benefits of apple cider vinegar. This vinegar is well known for its ability to balance pH levels, control weight, increase good gut bacteria, and many more. All of these benefits are indeed true, one of the most exciting being the ability to balance blood sugar levels.
One study at the public research AZ University involved 11 diabetes patients who weren’t taking insulin but only prescribed medications. They continued taking their meds, along with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and an ounce of cheese before going to bed. The results showed that in the morning, the participants had lower blood sugar levels than in the mornings when they had the same snack, but now with two tablespoons of water.
As NBC News reports, half of the American population suffers from either full-blown diabetes or high blood sugar, so this is pretty exciting and potentially life-changing news. Unfortunately, half of these people don’t understand how compromised their health is.
This study wasn’t the only one that proved these health benefits of apple cider vinegar. According to CNN Health, there have been lots of studies that tested ACV for different types of health conditions.
More Studies Prove: Apple Cider Vinegar Positively Affects Blood Sugar Levels
Recently, there was a study that tested the ACV effect in adults with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and healthy people. The participants were divided into 3 groups and they were all given an ounce of this vinegar after consuming a high-carb meal consisting of a glass of orange juice and a white bagel with butter. The results showed their levels of blood sugar have reduced, in comparison with the placebo group.
What’s more, the participants with pre-diabetes cut their levels of blood glucose by nearly half, and those with type 2 diabetes reduced their levels of blood glucose by 25%.
The studies which tested the ACV effect on weight control are just as dramatic as the previous ones. Healthline reported by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry involved mice that were given the active ingredient in ACV – acetic acid, along with a high-fat diet.
The results showed that the bodyweight of all mice was reduced by 10%, in comparison with the control group. Researchers explain that this means acetic acid is able to activate trigger genes which initiate the ability of enzymes to break down fat, thus preventing gaining weight, and making you fill full for longer.
Another Japanese study included obese adults with similar body mass index, waist measurement, and body weight. The participants were divided into 3 groups. Those from the first group were given half an ounce of apple cider vinegar; participants from the second group were given a drink with an ounce of apple cider vinegar, and those from the third group had a beverage with no apple cider vinegar, for a period of 12 weeks.
At the end of the experiment, the subjects who drank the ACV had lower belly fat and body weight, lower triglycerides, and smaller waist measurements in comparison with the others. The researchers concluded that consuming apple cider vinegar on a daily basis helps prevent metabolic syndrome by reducing obesity.
ACV Effects on Immunity and Cancer Cells
Another beneficial thing from apple cider vinegar intake is detoxification of your lymphatic system which is helpful for the optimization of your body’s homeostatic function. This ACV’s ability might be due to its antioxidant content which lowers free radicals’ damage while improving your organs and blood.
The Truth About Cancer reports that ACV is a powerful antimicrobial agent and a much cheaper alternative to toxic chemical disinfectants. Its active ingredient, acetic acid, was found to kill one of the most fatal bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is otherwise resistant to disinfectants.
Its antimicrobial properties are especially beneficial for patients who are immunosuppressed, providing immune support and eliminating harmful bacteria. There were few test-tube studies that prove vinegar can destroy cancer cells. One of them used several fermented kinds of vinegar to induce programmed cell death in leukemia cells, known as apoptosis.
Another study showed rice vinegar can inhibit malignant colon and breast tumors, as well as bladder, lung, and prostate cancers. This vinegar proved to be especially beneficial in the treatment of cancerous colon tumors, as it managed to inhibit them by 62%.
Vinegar Punch Recipes for Sore Throat and Digestive Health
Apple cider vinegar is excellent for relieving acid reflux, ulcers, colitis, and other stomach problems when combined with fermented vegetables.
The mild acid in fermentation is not acetic acid, but lactic acid which improves the gut flora. Apple cider vinegar was tested on digestion in several animal studies. Healthline conducted on mice with ulcerative colitis showed ACV can be beneficial for digestive health.
When the mice were given water with acetic acid, their levels of good gut bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus increased, whereas their symptoms of gastrointestinal disease decreased.
To maintain good gut health add a teaspoon of organic honey and two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water. To use this vinegar as an effective remedy for sore throat, combine it with ginger and honey. Here’s this recipe recommended by the nurse from the University of Pittsburgh Bonnie K. McMillen:
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of raw honey
- 2 tablespoons of water
- ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
Use this remedy to soothe your sore throat by taking tiny sips every few hours. Make sure you swallow them slowly so your sore throat can be longer exposed to this remedy. For other uses of ACV, dilute it in a cup or a few teaspoons of water to mask the astringent flavor.
Another great ACV recipe you can add over asparagus, broccoli, or salad greens is a combination of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a few freshly chopped basil leaves, half a teaspoon of minced garlic, and a dash of ground black pepper.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Beauty, Health, and More
Many people say drinking a tablespoon of ACV straight up stops hiccups. The explanation behind it is that apple cider vinegar overstimulates the nerve endings, thus eliminating the hiccups of the system.
You can apply a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar to a bruise to lower the inflammation and accelerate the healing process.
The high acidity of apple cider vinegar allows you to use it for other things you might not have been aware of. Thanks to its ability to change pH levels, like in cases of dandruff, and evening out tired and dry skin, ACV has been used for:
- Toning your skin
- Bug bites
- Sunburn
- Acne
- Poison ivy
- Dandruff
- Wounds
- Toenail fungus
- Removing warts
- Burns
- Detox baths
- Athlete’s foot
You can also use it to increase the brightness and flavor of different savory soups, like veggie or chili soup.
Thanks to its acidity and antibacterial properties, you can use it to clean your dentures and toothbrush, and also as a mouthwash. To clean your toothbrush you need to prepare a solution of 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 ½ cup of water, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda and soak the toothbrush.
However, don’t forget that the same acidity can harm your teeth, so make sure you always dilute it with water. ACV is an equally effective, yet safer remedy for weeds than commercial toxic weed killers.
Via Dr. Mercola
