Apple cider vinegar is an acidic sour-tasting beverage prepared by fermenting ripe apples. It is one of the most popular beverages that also offers significant health benefits, such as managing diabetes, aiding weight loss, regulating cholesterol levels, etc. (1).
Let’s know more about the benefits of apple cider vinegar and start incorporating it into our lives.
Ayurvedic View on Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV was not a common food in ancient India. Therefore, it is not mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. However, Ayurveda says that all foods have therapeutic utility if consumed in the appropriate conditions and dosage. Hence, Ayurvedic doctors studied the properties of apple cider vinegar and found out that it pacifies Vata Dosha and aggravates Pitta and Kapha Doshas in the body (2).
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
As apple cider vinegar is not an ancient Indian food, its medicinal uses cannot be found in Ayurvedic texts. However, several studies have been conducted to study the properties and therapeutic uses of apple cider vinegar, and they have highlighted the following benefits:
- Manages Diabetes
The high levels of bioactive compounds found in apple cider vinegar help fight oxidative stress and lower blood sugar levels in the body, thereby aiding in diabetes management (3).
- Reduces Weight
Some studies suggest that consuming apple cider vinegar along with a low-calorie diet can help lower body weight (4).
- Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Apple cider vinegar helps reduce the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body. In addition, it also helps increase HDL or good cholesterol levels, thereby boosting cardiovascular health (5).
- Regulates High Blood Pressure
Apple cider vinegar is rich in acetic acid, which helps lower high blood pressure levels in the body (6).
- Treats Stomach Ulcers
Researchers have found that apple cider vinegar is rich in antioxidants and antiulcer properties that help in the treatment of stress-induced gastric ulcers (7).
- Cures Food Poisoning
Apple cider vinegar exhibits potent antimicrobial properties against several bacteria, including E.coli. Therefore, it is used extensively for treating food poisoning (8).
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar?
The ideal dosage of apple cider vinegar is 1-2 teaspoons diluted in 1 glass of lukewarm water. However, if you are using it for medicinal purposes, it is recommended to consult a doctor first.
Where To Get Apple Cider Vinegar?
You can easily buy apple cider vinegar in the market. One of the best apple cider vinegar is available at Zandu care: https://bit.ly/3VpnRci
Precautions and Side Effects
Excessive consumption of apple cider vinegar can cause throat irritation, heartburn, nausea and upset stomach. Furthermore, taking ACV without diluting it in water can also destroy your tooth enamel (10).
On a Final Note
Although Ayurveda does not mention any benefits of apple cider vinegar, it is still highly recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners because of its medicinal value and health benefits. Some of these benefits include managing diabetes, regulating blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels, lowering weight and detoxifying the liver.
References
- https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2101232.pdf
- https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/blog-the-banyan-insight/details/an-ayurvedic-perspective-on-apple-cider-vinegar/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7374219/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324141912_Beneficial_effects_of_Apple_Cider_Vinegar_on_weight_management_Visceral_Adiposity_Index_and_lipid_profile_in_overweight_or_obese_subjects_receiving_restricted_calorie_diet_A_randomized_clinical_trial
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260311324_Influence_of_apple_cider_vinegar_on_blood_lipids
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11826965/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292385563_Protective_effect_of_Apple_Cider_Vinegar_on_Stress_Induced_Gastric_Ulcer
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7703014/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323721
