Published 14:18 IST, October 14th 2019
Apple cider vinegar and its numerous uses for a healthy lifestyle
Apple cider vinegar has several benefits for your health. Read to know the different uses of apple cider vinegar when it comes to improving your health.
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar that is made from apple juice. It is one of the most used kinds of vinegar when it comes to health-conscious people. It is useful for killing pathogens as well as losing weight and is helpful for those with diabetes. Here are the health benefits of Apple Cider and why it is so useful.
Useful for killing bacteria
Apple Cider Vinegar has been used as a disinfectant and wound cleaner for centuries. Even the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, used it and has mentioned it in his memoirs. The main reason why apple cider vinegar is so potent at killing pathogens is because of the high concentration of acetic acid present in it. Acetic acid is extremely acidic on the pH scale and coming in contact with it can cause certain kinds of bacteria to die as they cannot tolerate the acidity. Apple cider can also be used as a natural preservative as it has been shown to halt the rotting of food thanks to its ability to kill off bacteria. So if you want to use a natural disinfectant or preservative, then use apple cider vinegar. Keep in mind that while apple cider vinegar is good at doing these things, commercial synthetic alternatives are usually better but might be less healthy.
Lowers blood sugar levels
Several research papers on the benefits of apple cider vinegar have been released by the Indian government's National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). NCBI's reports have shown that apple cider vinegar reduces blood sugar levels after intake. According to the data points and results, apple cider vinegar improves the sensitivity of blood insulin after it is consumed. It can potentially lower the blood sugar level by around 34% when consumed with a carbohydrate diet. This could be extremely useful for those who suffer from diabetes and also for those who just have a high sugar level in their bloodstream.
Does apple cider vinegar help reduce body weight?
Studies published in NCBI have shown that when apple cider vinegar is consumed with food, the test subjects feel fuller after eating less. In a test conducted for three months, those who consumed apple cider vinegar lost around 1.2 kgs more body fat compared to those who did not. However, the time frame for the test was long and the difference was not that great, so if apple cider vinegar indeed has an effect it is not very strong. But every little bit helps during a weight loss diet, so there is no harm in adding apple cider vinegar to your diet if you want to lose weight. Apple cider vinegar does not have a lot of calories either.
These are the main health benefits of apple cider vinegar. All the benefits mentioned have some scientific backing to them. However, keep in mind that apple cider vinegar is not a perfect substitute for commercially available products that are used for the same purposes. But if you think a natural alternative is better for you and your health, then consider using apple cider vinegar for all the uses mentioned above.
Updated 22:51 IST, October 14th 2019