Vinegar is one of the few ingredients that can be consumed for both its health benefits and its unique and useful forms, such as a household cleaning product.
When it comes to health benefits, apple cider vinegar, in particular, is often on the lips of many health gurus.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made from crushed apples combined with yeast and bacteria for fermentation.
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During a visit to a doctor's office, you may have been recommended to drink ACV daily or weekly for various health reasons.
But is vinegar, specifically ACV, good for you? Discover the health benefits and how you can incorporate it into your diet.
There are several different types of vinegar, including balsamic, rice, and wine. (iStock)
What types of vinegar exist?
Distilled white vinegar, balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and malt vinegar are all different types of vinegar.
Vinegar is generally used to add substance to foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, marinades, and to pickle foods.
ACV is vinegar widely known for its potential health benefits and is often consumed as a drink to aid digestion.
What is apple cider vinegar used for?
Several studies point to two main health benefits of stroke; Weight loss and blood sugar reduction.
“ACV is a source of prebiotic fiber, which is food for gut bacteria,” Christina Palmisano, MS, RDN, told Fox News Digital.
Ohio-based Palmisano is a functional and integrative dietitian at Being Functional Nutrition.
“When gut bacteria are well-fed, they produce beneficial properties that support better digestion and overall health,” he said.
Apple cider vinegar has the potential to help you lose weight. (iStock)
When it comes to ACV for weight loss, the ingredient can help in the breakdown of food.
“It is recommended to drink one tablespoon in a glass of water twice a day at the beginning of a meal to help break down foods, especially carbohydrates,” Mia Stern, a certified holistic wellness counselor and natural foods chef, told Fox News. Digital in 2017.
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According to Healthline, there have been several short-term studies that support the idea that ACV can help with weight loss by increasing feelings of satiety when consumed.
In terms of calories, it is also very low, containing only about three calories per tablespoon. To see the possible health benefits of consumption, you only need one tablespoon per day.
In 2018, several scientists completed research to answer in more detail whether vinegar had an impact on blood glucose control.
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“ACV contains acidic acid, which helps muscles absorb glucose,” Palmisano said. “Therefore, drinking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 6 to 8 ounces of water before a carbohydrate-rich meal may decrease the post-meal glucose spike.”
If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before regularly including apple cider vinegar in your diet. (iStock)
The findings were published online in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. In this study, a reduction in mean HbA1c (average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months) was seen after eight to 12 weeks of vinegar administration, but the long-term results were not as significant.
In general, it is safe for a person without diabetes to consume small amounts of ACV for potential health benefits. It is important for people with diabetes to consult a doctor before adding vinegar to their regular diet.
What is “the mother” in ACV?
“The mother is made up of yeast and bacteria that form during the fermentation process necessary to create ACV,” Palmisano said.
“ACV, consumed with or without the mother, provides various health benefits related to digestion, intestinal health and more,” he concluded.
How should I include apple cider vinegar in my diet?
ACV can be incorporated into your diet in several ways. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar with water and moisturize as you normally would.
“I love using it in homemade salad dressings,” Palmisano said.
“A simple recipe for a homemade apple cider vinegar salad dressing is ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, juice of half a lemon, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons lemon zest “.
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Be careful to avoid too much apple cider vinegar, as it is known to erode enamel if consumed in large quantities. Also, mix ACV into a cup of hot tea for additional benefits.
Apple cider vinegar can be mixed with water or used in a variety of dishes to incorporate it more naturally into your diet. (Anjelika Gretskaia/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Easily include apple cider vinegar in your cooking.
It can be used to glaze various meats, as a dressing for salads or bowls, or to pickle vegetables such as onions, cabbage, corn, carrots or cucumbers.
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