Our clients love our meal plans at Sci-Fit Nutrition in Columbia, South Carolina, because they reflect our view that a healthy diet can help prevent and sometimes address and improve health issues. One of the ingredients we always include in diets is apple cider vinegar. Many healthy options include it in their recipe. There are so many benefits of apple cider vinegar—ACV— that it can be part of the food in a detox diet, weight loss and so many other healthy options.
The acetic acid provides many benefits.
ACV is made by fermenting crushed apples, then allowing that to ferment to vinegar. The acetic acid offers many benefits.from aiding with heartburn and acid reflux to being a natural tooth whitener. Be aware, however, that it also can damage the enamel of the teeth and weaken them. It helps acid reflux and heartburn by balancing the pH and providing probiotics that help. .
ACV may aid you in your weight loss efforts.
One study examined what happened when rats and mice were given acetic acid. The study showed it helped prevent deposits of fat and boosted their metabolism. Another study showed that it reduced the amount body fat gained by the mice. As a side benefit, lab animals that were given acetic acid were also more active, so they burned more calories.There’s approximately 5% acetic acid in ACV, which may account for the benefits for weight loss.
Keep your blood glucose level balanced, blood pressure and bad cholesterol lower with ACV.
Several studies show that the acetic acid in raw apple cider vinegar can improve the insulin response, balance blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. To get the benefits, you need the raw ACV that contains the Mother of Vinegar. Including ACV in your diet may also lower LDL—bad cholesterol—levels. Consider making your own salad dressing with berries and ACV to increase potassium levels to lower blood pressure.
- ACV is high in potassium, so it may be beneficial for conditions like restless leg syndrome, muscle weakness and heart palpitations. Using too much too often may have the opposite effect of reducing potassium levels. One woman that drank a cup a day for six years had bone loss.
- Don’t take ACV straight, but mix it with water or use it in recipes. Drinking it straight may actually cause stomach problems, burning throat and affect tooth enamel.
- ACV can provide benefits that aren’t related to nutrition. The antimicrobial nature of ACV can help with minor issues like a sore throat, stuffy nose, anti dandruff rinse, blemish remedy and natural deodorant.
- If you’re planning on using ACV for health issues, always check with your health care professional first. ACV can interact with diuretics and insulin.
For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition