Apple cider vinegar, commonly known as apple cider vinegar, is a well-known ingredient in many homes.
Interestingly, apple cider vinegar is 94% water, 1% carbs, and no fat or protein. However, it has been a conventional remedy for centuries.
Apple cider vinegar comes from fermented apple juice. You can use it in salad dressings, marinades, salad dressings, food preservatives and chutneys.
A popular claim on internet health circles is that it can control your blood pressure, which is valid to some extent. Not just for blood pressure, apple cider vinegar is a suggested natural remedy for weight management and lowering bad cholesterol.
Experts recommend taking apple cider vinegar daily for best long-term results. Apart from its ability to help cure multiple health conditions, apple cider vinegar plays a tricky role in managing blood pressure.
Some people believe that a spoonful a day could support blood pressure levels. However, many factors come into play. Therefore, it is best to consult your healthcare professional before adding it to your routine.
Drinking apple cider vinegar can help you on this weight loss journey. Since it is a fermented prebiotic liquid, apple cider vinegar contains short chain fatty acid acetate.
These chains help regulate your metabolism and prevent excessive fat deposits. Most people overeat because they don’t feel full. However, a study finds that the short-chain fatty acid acetate has appetite suppressant effects and promotes satiety. It, in turn, decreases calorie intake due to reduced appetite.
When there is the desired balance in calorie intake and expenditure, it will lead to healthy weight loss. Thus, it helps to reduce high blood pressure induced by obesity.
By lowering cholesterol
There is an abnormal increase in blood pressure when the arteries become narrow and hard with the deposition of cholesterol plaque. Bad cholesterol and high triglycerides are major contributors to high blood pressure.
Drinking apple cider vinegar can lower blood pressure and cholesterol simultaneously. A study supports the claim by concluding that apple cider vinegar combined with a low-calorie diet resulted in a significant decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels.
Plus, it increased levels of high-density lipoproteins, which are good cholesterol. And it’s fair to say that controlling cholesterol has a favorable effect on blood pressure.
By lowering blood sugar
High blood sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance. Analysis of a study asserts that there is a causal relationship between insulin resistance and high blood pressure.
This shows that insulin resistance can cause high blood pressure or vice versa. So, the first step in managing blood pressure is to reduce sugar levels. When it comes to apple cider vinegar and blood sugar, drinking it on an empty stomach can lower blood sugar.
As a result, it is incredibly beneficial for those who have difficulty regulating blood pressure due to diabetes.
Another study evaluated the effect of apple cider vinegar on type 2 diabetic patients. According to the results, it shows improvements in fasting blood sugar. However, this will not replace the medications needed for diabetes-induced blood pressure.
How to drink apple cider vinegar for blood pressure?
Apple cider vinegar is readily available at health food stores and grocery stores. Recently, there are various products formulated with apple cider vinegar.
For example, you can buy apple cider vinegar fortified teas, fermented foods, gummies, and capsules. Nevertheless, most people prefer to drink it with water only.
However, no matter how you drink your daily dose of apple cider vinegar, taking it with plenty of water is crucial to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. Unless diluted with water, drinking apple cider vinegar can cause acidity, throat irritation, and heartburn.
You can try an easy apple cider vinegar and honey recipe to get the perfect apple cider vinegar dosage.
Apple cider vinegar and water
- Servings: 1
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- Hot water: 1 cup
- Apple cider vinegar (raw, organic): 1 tablespoon
- Raw honey: 1 teaspoon
Preparation method
- Add the honey to the cup of hot water and mix well.
- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the water and honey solution. Mix them all.
- Although it’s optional, you can add a twist to the drink by adding ginger for extra antioxidant benefits.
Other Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Treat skin conditions
Apple cider vinegar can be a great addition to your homemade skincare recipes. It is an antibacterial, pH-balancing exfoliant for people with oily and acne-prone skin. Additionally, the malic acid in apple cider vinegar improves hyperpigmentation. Finally, a diluted formula can improve the skin’s protective barrier and treat conditions like eczema.
However, using it directly on the skin can cause chemical burns, irritate the skin, and dry it out. A simple way to avoid this is to maintain a ratio of one part apple cider vinegar to four parts water.
Boost hair health
According to a study, apple cider vinegar is loaded with antimicrobial properties. In addition to its naturally low pH, the antimicrobial nature of apple cider vinegar helps your hair fight bacteria.
In addition, it eliminates microbes that deteriorate the health and appearance of hair. So, various natural shampoos contain apple cider vinegar as one of their main ingredients.
natural food preservative
Apple cider vinegar, or any other vinegar, kills pathogens, including harmful bacteria. Additionally, vinegar can cleanse, disinfect, and treat nail fungus, warts, and various infections.
Some cases also show that apple cider vinegar prevents bacteria like E. coli from growing and spoiling food. It is therefore a food preservative.
So if you want to use a natural food preservative, apple cider vinegar might be a good choice. Additionally, it can be a pickling agent as it deactivates food enzymes and slows spoilage.
Possible side effects of apple cider vinegar
Everything has its pros and cons. Excess consumption or use of anything can have adverse effects. For example, apple cider vinegar is acidic and can cause side effects if consumed in large amounts or undiluted.
Here are some possible side effects of apple cider vinegar.
Can potentially cause nausea
Some people complain that drinking apple cider vinegar makes them feel sick and nauseous. Subsequently, this results in a lack of appetite.
This may be due to its sour taste, acidic properties and low sugar content. Also, not everyone can tolerate acidic food products. This gives them stomach pains and can cause diarrhoea.
For example, some people vomit after drinking apple cider vinegar due to its sour, unpleasant flavor.
Can cause tooth decay
Some people ask, “Can we drink apple cider vinegar every day?” The answer is yes, as long as they consume it in moderation and don’t abuse it.
Due to its acidic properties, drinking higher concentrations of apple cider vinegar can gradually cause tooth decay. It erodes tooth enamel, making teeth more prone to infection and tooth decay.
However, too much of anything is harmful. Therefore, you should not consume apple cider vinegar daily in large quantities. Consuming small portions after a few days is sufficient for most people.
Too much apple cider vinegar can stress the kidney
If you suffer from chronic kidney disease, apple cider vinegar will put additional stress and pressure on your delicate organs. Also, your kidneys might not be able to process the excess acid that comes with drinking apple cider vinegar.
Even if you don’t have any kidney disease, regularly drinking large amounts of apple cider vinegar puts pressure on your kidneys. Therefore, too much acid could ultimately lead to long-term kidney problems.
Drugs interactions
Some medications may interact with apple cider vinegar:
- Diabetes medications: Be careful if you take insulin or insulin-stimulating drugs and consume vinegar. The interaction of these two can cause you to experience deficient potassium or blood sugar levels.
- Digoxin (Lanoxin): This is a drug that lowers your blood potassium levels. Combining it with apple cider vinegar could significantly lower your potassium levels.
- Certain diuretic drugs: Some diuretic medications cause your body to excrete potassium, causing potassium deficiency. Do not consume such drugs with a large amount of vinegar to prevent potassium levels from dropping too low.
Recommended intake of apple cider vinegar
You should not consume large amounts of apple cider vinegar in large quantities every day. The recommended intake of apple cider vinegar is a maximum of 30 ml per day, diluted in water, according to your tolerance.
You should take it on an empty stomach in the morning. You should stop consuming apple cider vinegar if you notice any change or side effects in the body and consult a doctor immediately.
If you don’t want to drink plain apple cider vinegar, you can also consume it in other ways like:
- As a dressing
- For marinating meats, grains, vegetables or other dishes
- Add it to tea with honey
Conclusion
Despite several claims, it is only valid to say that apple cider vinegar has no direct impact on your blood pressure. However, it can help lower blood pressure by acting on the factors that cause it. Therefore, drinking it can give your blood pressure treatment plan an extra boost.
Do not consume it undiluted as it may cause burning or nausea due to its acidic nature. In addition to having it with water, you can use it as a salad dressing or via pickled vegetables and meat.
However, despite being backed by science, apple cider vinegar won’t work wonders on your blood pressure. Of course, you will feel better and see some improvement.
But apple cider vinegar will not replace the need for regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Unless you are taking holistic, healthy steps for your life, apple cider vinegar does not have a significant impact on blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the best drink for high blood pressure?
A. Unsalted tomato juice is one of the best drinks for lowering blood pressure. It helps lower blood pressure, manage cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease due to its antioxidant content. Other options are beet juice and pomegranate juice.
Q. Does vinegar quickly lower blood pressure?
A. Apple cider vinegar may be beneficial for gradually lowering blood pressure over time because it helps control renin, a hormone produced by your kidneys. As a result, it prevents blood pressure from rising. In addition, apple cider vinegar keeps the vessels relaxed; therefore, blood pressure does not increase.
Q. Is Apple good for blood pressure?
A. Yes, apples are fruits high in soluble dietary fiber. Eating enough soluble fiber can lower bad cholesterol levels in your body. When there is a reduction in cholesterol levels, you will see improvements in blood pressure. Additionally, apples contain polyphenols, which may help reduce your risk of blood pressure.
Q. Can I drink apple cider vinegar every day?
A. You can drink apple cider vinegar daily to get maximum benefits. Make sure to consume it in diluted form. However, excessive consumption can cause acid reflux and low potassium levels. Thus, the standard dosage is 1 to 2 tablespoons mixed in a large glass of water.
Q. Who should not take apple cider vinegar?
A. Although apple cider vinegar has potential benefits on blood sugar, people taking diabetes medications or insulin should avoid it. Additionally, those taking diuretic medications and digoxin should also avoid it to avoid possible drug interactions.
Q. Is it better to drink apple cider vinegar in the morning or at night?
A. There is no strict schedule for drinking apple cider vinegar. However, it is often recommended to drink it early in the morning. Some people take it before meals or at bedtime to manage their blood sugar. It is best to consult your healthcare professional before adding it to your routine.
Q. Should you drink apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach?
A. Yes, apple cider vinegar is best taken early in the morning on an empty stomach. Drinking it early in the morning can speed up metabolism and fat burning. Drink it with lukewarm water after waking up or before morning coffee.
Q. Does apple cider vinegar make you poop?
A. Because apple cider vinegar is a byproduct of fermentation of apples, it contains pectin, a soluble dietary fiber that acts as a natural gelling agent. This pectin in apple cider vinegar can help bulk up your stool, promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, and reduce inflammation. Thus, it helps to facilitate digestion and improve the passage of stools.
