Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is one of the most popular beverages among humans. It contains high amounts of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and many other nutrients. ACV is used in cooking, baking, as a salad dressing and even as a toothpaste.
The health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar are well known. It is believed that it helps with digestion, prevents infections, lowers cholesterol levels and protects against heart disease. There are also studies which show that it may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
However, it is important to note that while apple cider vinegar is beneficial in many ways, there are also some downsides. In this article we will discuss some of these benefits and possible risks.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
It is an alcoholic beverage made from apples. The apples are cooked in water and yeast is added. The mixture is then left to ferment. The cider is left to age for some time before it is ready to drink.
Apples contain pectin, which is a natural substance that causes the intestines to move bacteria, fiber and other matter through your digestive system. When this occurs, waste matter passes through your body more quickly and with less pain. ACV also contains a compound called acetic acid, which helps to break down fats in the body.
It is believed that these two substances aid in weight loss.
There are a variety of types of apple cider vinegar, which differ in how they are made and what type of apple was used to make them. Some types of ACV include:
unfiltered apple cider vinegar
filtered apple cider vinegar
unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (the most expensive)
raw apple cider vinegar (from unpasteurized apple cider)
Unpasteurized apple cider is more nutritious, but more difficult to make. It does not contain any stabilizers or other substances that are added to make apple cider safe to drink. This type of apple cider has a more “live” taste, as opposed to the “cooked” taste of pasteurized apple cider.
Unpasteurized apple cider has more nutrients and, according to some people, tastes better.
You should avoid unpasteurized apple cider if you are sensitive to alcohol or if you have liver or kidney disease. It can also cause a temporary yellowing of the skin and the eyes (jaundice).
Unpasteurized apple cider is dangerous, but can be dangerous for other reasons as well. It is strongly encouraged that you do not drink this if you have a weak stomach.
Unpasteurized apple cider may contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. It can also cause nasty side effects such as allergic reactions, broken skin and death. It is believed that the high concentration of nutrients in apple cider make it highly allergenic.
Unpasteurized apple cider has also been known to contain parasites and other forms of microorganisms. Some of these are harmful, others harmless.
Why Should I Drink Apple Cider Vinegar?
There are many health benefits from drinking apple cider vinegar. The most important of which is weight loss.
Drinking apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss in several ways. The first and most obvious way is that by drinking apple cider vinegar, you are going to become less hungry. As a result, you will probably eat less food, which means you will lose weight.
Another way is by suppressing appetite. Apple cider vinegar contains a chemical called acetic acid. It is believed that this chemical blocks some of the receptors in the brain that respond to food.
This makes people feel full after they eat, which reduces cravings.
Drinking apple cider vinegar can also prevent overeating. Many people who overeat feel hungry soon after they eat. By drinking apple cider vinegar before eating, you can reduce or eliminate the cravings that come after overeating.
By drinking apple cider vinegar before eating, you prevent your body from thinking that it needs to eat, since it is already full.
Sources & references used in this article:
Influence of apple cider vinegar on blood lipids by Z Beheshti, YH Chan, HS Nia, F Hajihosseini, R Nazari… – Life Sci J, 2012 – academia.edu
Apple Cider Vinegar: Science-Backed Benefits for Weight Loss & Health by P Bragg, PC Bragg – 2002 – Health Science Publications
Apple cider vinegar modulates serum lipid profile, erythrocyte, kidney, and liver membrane oxidative stress in ovariectomized mice fed high cholesterol by B Fitness – drbeckyfitness.com
Effects of apple cider vinegars produced with different techniques on blood lipids in high-cholesterol-fed rats by M Nazıroğlu, M Güler, C Özgül, G Saydam… – The Journal of …, 2014 – Springer
Modulation of immune parameters and antioxidant defense in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using dietary apple cider vinegar by NH Budak, D Kumbul Doguc, CM Savas… – Journal of agricultural …, 2011 – ACS Publications
Effects of grape wine and apple cider vinegar on oxidative and antioxidative status in high cholesterol-fed rats by E Ahmadifar, MAO Dawood, MS Moghadam… – Aquaculture, 2019 – Elsevier
Effect of apple cider vinegar on delayed gastric emptying in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a pilot study by AC Seydim, ZB Guzel-Seydim, DK Doguc… – … foods in health and …, 2016 – ffhdj.com
Apple cider vinegar attenuates oxidative stress and reduces the risk of obesity in high-fat-fed male wistar rats by J Hlebowicz, G Darwiche, O Björgell, LO Almér – BMC gastroenterology, 2007 – Springer
The potential of apple cider vinegar in the management of type 2 diabetes by BH Halima, G Sonia, K Sarra, BJ Houda… – Journal of medicinal …, 2018 – liebertpub.com
