We see a lot of celebrity trends on social media, and drinking apple cider vinegar isn’t exactly new. But, being the inquisitive writer that I am, I decided to investigate the burgeoning health trend.
Victoria Beckham said on Instagram Stories that she drinks several tablespoons of apple cider vinegar every morning without fail, and other celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry are said to do the same. It’s said to provide a plethora of health advantages, ranging from assisting with weight reduction and digestion to boosting your skin and safeguarding your intestinal health.
I decided to give it a shot and drink two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar every morning for ten days to observe what (if anything) occurred to my body, occasionally taking it on my morning walk with the dog using one of the top apple cider vinegar brands.
Before I begin, I’d want to state that Tom’s Guide does not promote food fads, and we consulted with a competent dietician about the alleged health advantages and whether they are accurate.
What works for my body may not work for yours, so proceed with care if you decide to give it a shot. According to some accounts, drinking apple cider vinegar plain might provoke a response if you have any pre-existing health concerns. Don’t celebrity trends simply keep on coming? And with that, I set out in quest of apple cider vinegar. This is what occurred.
What advantages does consuming apple cider vinegar offer?
Consuming apple cider vinegar (ACV) has long been known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can assist with weight reduction, appetite suppression, and insulin sensitivity, all of which can help manage diabetes and blood sugar.
In addition, ACV has been promoted as a way to support gastrointestinal health, decrease cholesterol, lessen muscular cramps before or after exercise, and in certain cases, even boost energy levels.
Still, the evidence is conflicting and sparse. “Proponents of apple cider vinegar argue that it has several health advantages and that taking a supplement or drinking a little quantity before meals helps reduce hunger and burn fat,” according to the Mayo Clinic.These assertions have minimal scientific backing. There may be hazards involved, and the research on apple cider vinegar with weight reduction to yet hasn’t been very strong or reliable.
Expert sports dietitian Nigel Mitchell explained to us that apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting acetic acid (vinegar) and alcohol (cider) in two stages. Because apple cider has a high acid content, the Mayo Clinic warns that “if you drink it repeatedly or in big amounts,” it may irritate your throat. It could also communicate.
Whoa. Is there any research that suggests consuming apple cider vinegar? This is what I discovered.
>I drank apple cider vinegar every day for 10 days — here’s what happened:
I mixed mine with a large glass of hot water and a squeeze of lemon and started drinking, as most studies suggest starting small with no more than two tablespoons of ACV a day, diluted with water, lemon, or herbal teas to protect your tooth enamel and oesophagus from its acidity (not worrying at all).
My mouth felt cleaner:
Strange one, huh? There is, however, a catch to it. Many people find that the morning, before eating, is the ideal time to consume apple cider vinegar. It is said to improve the digestive system and freshen breath.
According to one clinical trial research, ACV’s antibacterial capabilities can eliminate oral germs and lessen plaque buildup. Additionally, some studies indicate that ACV may include minute amounts of pectin, a soluble fibre abundant in apples. Pectin is said to have mild laxative properties, although there is little data to support the efficacy of ACV in this regard.
I got used to the taste:Â
Although it doesn’t taste as good as a strong cup of coffee, I started to look forward to my daily routine. If you don’t like the taste—and boy, is it strong—you may improve it by adding ACV to herbal tea or adding some fresh lemon juice to your cup. Here are the results of our writer’s two-week experiment drinking lemon water every day, along with some health advantages of lemon consumption.
I felt just as hungry:
Unfortunately, my eye was still on my partner’s homemade apple pie that was still in the refrigerator at home. It didn’t seem, smell, or taste any less delicious after consuming apple cider vinegar as part of a morning ritual.According to a review of brief research, those who took ACV with a meal reported feeling less hungry for up to 120 minutes following and consuming fewer snacks for up to 24 hours. My stomach, however, must have missed the memo.
It didn’t help my skin:
In terms of dermatology, I wasn’t expecting much because, for a month, my editor drank a gallon of water every day and saw no improvement.Apple cider vinegar is said to help clean up acne, among other things. The National Eczema Organisation states that ACV may be beneficial. “People with eczema often have higher pH levels than those without,” the organisation states.The skin barrier isn’t working properly. This implies that the skin’s defence against “bad” bacteria, the microbiota, may degrade and expose the skin to danger. With ACV being “a moderate acid,” eczema sufferers “theorise that administering ACV topically may help restore their skin’s normal pH level.”My skin didn’t really change, but I normally get pimples at this point in my monthly cycle, which I don’t appear to have this time around. That could just be a coincidence.
My system felt energized:Â
Even though I couldn’t pinpoint it, I felt better in the mornings. Though it’s possible that my intense investigation and study led to a placebo effect, my stomach felt more relaxed and I had less morning bloat.
Science Direct claims that high-quality products could include antioxidants and amino acids, and that ACV may have antidiabetic properties and help decrease blood levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDLs). The murky portion at the bottom of the container, known as “mother,” is the unfiltered apple cider vinegar’s pure, raw portion that is packed with enzymes and beneficial bacteria that resemble prebiotics. Proponents of apple cider vinegar assert that it is rich in antioxidants and supports a healthy gut flora.
I tried drinking apple cider vinegar every day for ten days. This is what I found out.
For me, it wasn’t a transformative ten days. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that taking a daily dose of apple cider vinegar is unlikely to be a panacea for anyone.Having said that, some studies—mostly those pertaining to blood sugar and muscular cramps—have been fascinating to study. ACV use may help diabetics’ glycaemic index and oxidative stress, according to a 2019 clinical research. Another study indicated vinegar may help insulin function and reduce blood sugar levels after meals. Because of the acetic acid, potassium-rich ACV has been shown to help athletes recover from muscular cramps and relax their muscles.
I may raise my hands and state that ten days might not be long enough to see a miracle transformation, but I didn’t see many immediate benefits. It didn’t affect my appetite, mood, digestive system, or muscles, but I did feel a little less bloated in the morning, and my system seemed momentarily “cleaner.” Though I had a great time trying, I guess I’ll continue with my morning coffee for the time being.