Apple cider vinegar can’t help you hit a curveball, solve a Sudoku or compute your taxes. But some swear by a wealth of other wonderful uses for this simple solution.
According to The Vinegar Institute ““ yes, there’s a Vinegar Institute ““ apple cider vinegar can help control dandruff, relieve arthritis, soothe sunburns, whiten teeth and even combat morning sickness.
But let’s focus on apple cider vinegar’s potential nutritional benefits.
Nutritional powerhouse
As an antioxidant, it can help reduce your cancer risk, and may have benefits for heart health as well. And advocates say that’s just the beginning.
“There are studies that say it can help with blood sugar, high triglycerides, high cholesterol,” said Karah Stanley, outpatient dietitian with St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
How? Apple cider vinegar seems to slow blood-sugar elevation rate levels by improving the body’s insulin sensitivity. It may also keep LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidizing in the body.
Good for your metabolism?
Among the trendier claims is that taking apple cider vinegar before meals can curb appetite and accelerate the fat-burning process. But don’t think of it as your dietary get-out-of-jail free card just yet. That claim hasn’t been proven, Stanley said.
“There are other studies that say it has no effect on metabolism at all,” she said. “Right now there’s not a lot of definitive research.”
Stanley suggested the best way to use apple cider vinegar as part of a weight maintenance program is to take advantage of its taste and use it as a substitute for high-fat, high-calorie dressings and condiments. “It has enough flavor to help in weight loss,” she said.
How to add apple cider vinegar to your diet
If you want to try to introduce apple cider vinegar into your regimen, remember how acidic it is, Stanley said, and don’t drink it straight; a tablespoon or two mixed with a large glass of water is plenty. Drinking it undiluted could damage your tooth enamel or your esophagus.
If you’re already on medication for diabetes, talk to your doctor before introducing apple cider vinegar, which shouldn’t supplant your regular medication.
Bottom line: You can try it in moderation to complement your nutritional regimen, and as always, if you aren’t sure it’s for you, consult your doctor first.
