Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits
Apple cider vinegar, produced through fermentation, is one of the oldest foods and medicines known to man. Throughout history it has been used as a cleansing and healing agent, and it continues to enjoy wide popularity today, touted by many as a natural health supplement and cure-all. While many of the folk medicine uses of apple cider vinegar remain unproven, there are a few that now have medical evidence backing them up.
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Diabetes
In a January 2004 study published in the journal Diabetes Care, researchers found that apple cider vinegar counteracted the rise in blood sugar after the subjects ate a high carbohydrate meal. In another study, published in Diabetes Care in 2007, 11 people with type 2 diabetes were found to have reduced their glucose levels 4 to 6 percent by taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed. These studies and others show the promise of apple cider vinegar's possible health benefits for those with diabetes.
Blood Pressure and Heart Health
Preliminary studies with rats have shown evidence that vinegar could potentially lower high blood pressure. Vinegar consumption has also been linked to lower rates of heart disease. Subjects in a study who ate oil and vinegar dressing on their salads five to six times a week were at a lower risk for heart disease.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is one of the most common uses for apple cider vinegar. While their is no evidence that apple cider vinegar affects metabolism, it may affect how much you eat. In a study on the affects of vinegar on diabetes by Carol Johnston, a nutrition professor at Arizona State University, some vinegar drinkers inadvertently consumed less calories and lost body fat. Although the results are inconclusive, Johnston thinks that acetic acid, the main ingredient in vinegar, interferes with enzymes that digest carbohydrates, giving simple carbs the ability to pass through without stopping, much like fiber.
Dietary Supplement
Users of apple cider vinegar commonly supplement their diet with 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar dissolved in an 8 oz. glass of water twice a day. Apple cider vinegar is also sometimes used on skin or in enemas. Make sure you use raw, organic vinegar rather than distilled vinegar, because the natural enzymes, minerals, and nutrients are destroyed in the distilling process. Natural raw vinegar has a rich, brownish color.
Warning
The risks of taking occasional, small amounts of apple cider vinegar are low. Using apple cider vinegar over the long term or in larger amounts, however, could have potential risks. It is highly acidic, making it quite harsh if undiluted. Because of its acidity, it has the potential to cause low potassium levels and lower bone density. It is always advisable to talk with a doctor or trusted expert before taking any supplements.
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