There is definitely more than 3 reasons to take apple cider vinegar daily; much more. Also known as ACV, there are scientifically proven reasons why this stuff carries a potent punch to boost health. I started taking a “shot” every day because my bad cholesterol (LDL) was high for 2 years in a row. Rather than begin medication, I decided to try a more natural approach. “Dr. Google” displayed pages and pages of “natural ways to lower cholesterol”. In the first 3 pages almost every article and link contained the words apple cider vinegar! So begins my journey.
1. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Fights Diabetes
(Click the heading to read the full article written by Kris Gunnars, BSc and published in Healthline.com)
By far, the most successful application of vinegar to date is in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels, either because of insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin (5).
However, high blood sugar can also be a problem in people who don’t have diabetes. It is believed to be a major cause of aging and various chronic diseases.
Pretty much everyone should benefit from keeping their blood sugar levels in the normal range. The most effective (and healthiest) way to do that is to avoid refined carbs and sugar, but apple cider vinegar can also have a powerful effect.
Vinegar has been shown to have numerous benefits for blood sugar and insulin levels:
- Improves insulin sensitivity during a high-carb meal by 19–34% and significantly lowers blood sugar and insulin responses (6).
- Reduces blood sugar by 34% after eating 50 grams of white bread (7).
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime can reduce fasting blood sugar in the morning by 4% (8).
- Numerous other studies in humans show that vinegar can improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels after meals (9, 10).
For these reasons, vinegar can be useful for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or those who want to keep their blood sugar levels low for other reasons.
If you’re currently taking blood-sugar-lowering medications, check with your doctor before increasing your intake of any type of vinegar.
2. Could help lower both total cholesterol and triglycerides.
(Click the heading to read the full article written by Jennifer Berry and published in MedicalNewsToday.com)
Apple cider vinegar may lower cholesterol levels.
High triglyceride and cholesterol levels can increase a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke. Also, a high total cholesterol level raises the risk of heart problems.
Some evidence suggests that taking apple cider vinegar could help lower both total cholesterol and triglycerides.
A 12-week study investigated the effects of taking apple cider vinegar in people on a low-calorie diet. The researchers found that participants who took apple cider vinegar not only lost more weight than those who took a placebo but also had lower triglycerides and total cholesterol.
The people who took apple cider vinegar also had significantly raised levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Doctors sometimes refer to HDL cholesterol as “good cholesterol” because it can help lower the risk of heart problems.
3. Athlete’s foot remedy
(Click the heading to read the full article written by Katie Wells and published in WellnessMama.com)
The sour, tangy crunchy mama favorite that helps with everything from heartburn to dandruffcan also be one of the best natural remedies for mild athlete’s foot.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV for those familiar with this crushed, fermented apple product) has been used since the times of Hippocrates, when it was prized for its medicinal properties. It’s known to be especially beneficial against yeast and fungus, and many people take it internally to keep candida in balance.
To use ACV to remedy athlete’s foot, make sure you’ve got a good, high-quality, unpasteurized version (the ones still containing the “mother” are better, and you can even make your own!). Of course you can also buy in stores or online, I get mine here.
In a foot bath container, mix together:
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
Soak your feet for around half an hour. You can also apply plain ACV directly to the infection with a cotton ball. Apple cider vinegar will likely sting, so be aware and dilute more if necessary
Ways to include it in your diet
So it is not the easiest thing to drink on its own. I was shocked by the smell as soon as I opened the bottle. While some people put a teaspoon in their morning tea, if I can smell it, I will gag. Not pretty.
My routine is to pour 1/3 of a shotglass and have a full teaspoon of honey at-the-ready. I hold my nose, drink the ACV as fast as I can and follow-up immediately with the honey. I swish the honey to cover every part of my mouth, thus leaving a sweet flavor rather than acidic. Works for me!