Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made by fermenting the juice of crushed apples.

Apple cider vinegar contains antioxidants, phenolic compounds, which can fight inflammation and might protect cells from damage that leads to disease. Research has shown that drinking apple cider vinegar helps manage weight, diabetes and heart health.

Weight Management

Consuming apple cider vinegar may help with managing weight and visceral fat (deep, internal belly fat) as it helps to increase feelings of satiety, influence metabolism and insulin sensitivity, thus potentially contributing to fat oxidation and reduced fat storage.

Maintaining the body weight can help reduce the risk of several health conditions. For example, obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer.

Type 2 Diabetes

Some evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar helps manage type 2 diabetes. People who had apple cider vinegar with water saw significant reductions in fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C, a measure of average blood sugar over the previous two to three months.)

Heart Health

Drinking apple cider vinegar every day (being diluted with water) in the short term may reduce triglycerides, total cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol (HDL is considered the "good" cholesterol and triglycerides are a type of fat).

Meanwhile, applying apple cider vinegar to the skin may help reduce the appearance of varicose veins.

Some research found that using apple cider vinegar every day (being diluted with water) in the short term to manage certain health conditions may be safe. However, long-term oral use of apple cider vinegar may pose risks. Using large amounts of it for a prolonged period may lower potassium levels, harm the esophagus, tooth enamel and skin. As it might interact with other medicines, and so it is important to consult a doctor before trying.