Vinegar is an ancient product that has been used for many diverse purposes such as making pickles and salad dressings, cleaning counters and setting dyes. While there are many different types of vinegars – regular white, balsamic, red wine just to name a few – most are used primarily for cooking. One type, however, has been singled out especially as a health tonic – apple cider vinegar.
In years past, apple cider vinegar was considered to relieve almost any ailment one could think of – from reversing aging and killing head lice to curing arthritis and maintaining healthy skin. While medical researchers today are not quite so exuberant about the vinegar being a “cure-all,” there is evidence that it may indeed serve to alleviate certain medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) and help in weight loss.
The effect vinegar has on blood sugar levels appears to hold the most promise for medicinal value of apple cider vinegar. Several studies have shown that the vinegar may help to lower glucose levels in the blood. For example, in 2007 a study of 11 people with type 2 diabetes found that taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime lowered blood sugar levels by four to six percent.
The study done on vinegar’s effect on cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels is a little more nebulous. However, research using rats (which is often considered to extrapolate to humans) showed evidence that vinegar could lower the level of triglycerides or (harmful body fats) in the blood and raise HDL or “good” cholesterol. This, of course, has implications for maintaining low blood pressure.
Help in weight loss
Apple cider vinegar and other vinegars have been used to help in weight loss for hundreds of years. It seemed that people who took a small amount of vinegar along with bread, for example, felt fuller and more satisfied than those who left out the vinegar. Today, it is thought that vinegar speeds up metabolism and may burn up fat at a faster rate.
It should be noted that it is acetic acid found in all vinegars that is the operative factor, but since apple cider vinegar can usually be found in natural or organic forms, and may also contain trace minerals, it is the preferred type of vinegar to promote for medicinal purposes. Currently, research is being carried out on apple cider vinegar’s effect on cancer cells as well as on arthritic pain and digestive problems.
While it cannot be stated conclusively that apple cider vinegar is a cure for diabetes or high blood pressure, it can be said that it has been used with positive effect for a number of external uses. For example, it is a popular home remedy for dandruff – washing hair with a mixture of vinegar in water (equal amounts) seems to restore the ph balance of the scalp and discourages the yeast-like fungus that triggers dandruff.
Patting the skin with a weak mixture of vinegar-water solution has been used to get rid of acne.
If you would like to try apple cider vinegar for an ailment, start off by taking 2 teaspoons a day in a glass of water or juice. This can be increased to 2 tablespoons, but it must be kept in mind that the main ingredient in vinegar is acid which can burn your skin or tissues in mouth and throat. For this reason, apple cider capsules are sometimes recommended (although care should be taken here as well). It should be noted, that anyone planning to take vinegar as medicine on a regular basis should consult their physician since it may interfere with other medications.
Apple cider vinegar, of course can be used in cooking as you would use other vinegars so having it on hand is good idea – it may enhance your health by simply including it in salad dressings, meat marinades and condiments.
