Apple cider vinegar benefits- ACV is a vinegar that comes from apples which are processed in such a way. This is a herbal that is beneficial and uses for the health. In fact, apple cider vinegar uses as a health medicine since ancient Greece, health experts in the past used apple cider vinegar in many treatments and treatments.
What are the health benefits and uses of apple cider vinegar? In this article we will review the benefits of apple cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar side effects and how to use it.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a liquid or drink made from apples by squeezing or extracting the apple fruit so that it releases its juice. After the apple juice has collected in a specified amount, it will then be given rotting bacteria and yeast for the fermentation process.
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Not only is yeast added to the apple liquid but also sugar is added to turn it into alcohol. Furthermore, this alcohol will be converted by acetobacter bacteria (acetic acid forming bacteria). The fermentation process in such a way also leaves elements such as acetic acid, catechins, gallic acid and others.
Finally, apple cider vinegar contains antioxidants and anti-bacteria so it is good for human health. Now in the millennial era, vinegar, especially apple vinegar, is an ingredient in herbal medicine that can cure many diseases. Here we see the benefits of apple cider vinegar for health.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Health
Since it was discovered the benefits of apple cider vinegar, now this liquid from fermented apples is in great demand for health benefits in the treatment of various diseases.
1. Lose weight
One of the many benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it helps you lose weight. A nutritionist, Debbie Davis, RD states that apple cider vinegar does contribute to weight loss. While the results of long-term research on apple cider vinegar do affect body weight, but only in small amounts.
The study involved several participants, where participants were asked to consume two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before eating. This was done for 4 weeks and the results turned out that on average they gained 1-2 kg of weight loss.
However, losing weight still has to change your diet and exercise regularly. You can’t lose weight just by consuming apple cider vinegar every day without paying attention to diet and exercise. So, apple cider vinegar only helps you to make your weight loss program successful.
2. Good for blood sugar levels
The benefits of apple cider vinegar which is very well known and widely used are to lower blood sugar. An increase in blood sugar can be bad for health, so diabetics must limit their consumption of sugar to prevent a spike in blood sugar.
Apple cider vinegar is one type of herbal ingredient that is very good for diabetics. Apple cider vinegar can increase insulin sensitivity when you consume foods high in carbohydrates such as rice. When you consume two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar when you are about to eat, the substances in the vinegar will slow down the release of sugar from food into the blood.
This is very good for health because it can prevent sudden sugar spikes or sugar rush. People with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can benefit from consuming apple cider vinegar. The benefit is increased insulin sensitivity by 19% in people with type 2 diabetes and 35% in those with prediabetes.
A health scientist who has been researching apple cider vinegar for 10 years, namely Carol Johnston, Ph.D. states that apple cider vinegar is a liquid that contains antiglycemic. That is, apple cider vinegar can slow down the absorption of carbohydrates into the body so that the increase in blood sugar can also be suppressed or minimized.
To get the benefits of apple vinegar for diabetics, what must be considered is not only diet but also asked to stop from doctor’s medication. To be clear, you must consult a doctor first.
3. Overcoming digestive disorders such as stomach, ulcers, and constipation
The next benefit of apple cider vinegar is to overcome digestive problems such as stomach, ulcers and constipation. The nature of apple cider vinegar is to limit the absorption of carbohydrates in the body. So, the rest of the carbohydrates that are not absorbed and not undergoing digestion will become food for the good bacteria in the intestine.
For those of you who consume apple cider vinegar for medicinal purposes, you should choose the type of apple vinegar that has not been filtered. Typically, this apple cider vinegar has a cloudy brown color and if you let it sit, there will be dregs stagnating at the bottom of the bottle.
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Apple pulp that collects under the bottle is called “the mother”, this is important for health, it contains good bacteria which will play a role in improving the digestive tract and in some people this will treat constipation. In fact, not only constipation, but apple cider vinegar is also effective in treating ulcers and stomach acid which is often annoying.
4. Treating diarrhea
One of the components in apple cider vinegar is pectin. This is very good for the health of milk because it can produce good bacteria that will clean the digestive tract, not only that, but also can prevent inflammation of the digestive tract so that various issues can be overcome.
Miraculously, apple cider vinegar contains natural antibiotics. Based on information from Medical News Today, natural antibiotics can destroy E coli and Salmonella bacteria. This is a bacteria that causes diarrhea, so by consuming apple cider vinegar, diarrheal disease can be overcome slowly.
Another thing that happens as a result of apple cider vinegar is that it slows down digestion, giving the stool more opportunity and time to solidify and harden so that diarrhea does not occur. Again, apple cider vinegar that is good for treating diseases including diarrhea is a type of vinegar that has not been filtered and contains apple pulp.
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However, further research needs to be done to find out more about the benefits of apple cider vinegar. One of the unfinished problems is the fermentation process of apples which causes the emergence of acetic acid. This acid in some people actually causes diarrhea, stomach upset and heartburn.
5. Good for heart health
Heart disease is a disease that occurs due to the amount of fat in the blood or lipids. Fat can block blood flow so that it can cause various disorders including high blood pressure and heart disease. Research conducted on mice in 2014 found that apple cider vinegar can reduce body fat in female rats.
Furthermore, the next research was conducted in 2017 on male rats, and the results were that these mice had better heart health than before.
6. Treating psoriasis naturally
The benefits of apple cider vinegar are not only for preserving food as many do but it can also treat natural psoriasis, especially those that occur on the scalp. Apple cider vinegar can reduce irritation and itching on the scalp because it contains natural antiseptics.
Some people report that they experience a reduction in psoriasis symptoms after a few weeks of consuming apple cider vinegar.
Although apple cider vinegar has many health benefits and benefits, you should not drink large amounts of it. Isn’t everything in excess can be harmful to health! Likewise with apple cider vinegar, if it’s too much it can cause other problems. Here are some side effects of apple cider vinegar that are important to know.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
1. Slows down stomach emptying
Apple cider vinegar can slow stomach emptying which causes diarrhea sufferers to recover from it. Can also control the rise in blood sugar because carbohydrates are processed for a long time before entering the lower stomach. However, this slow process of digestive movement can also have adverse effects on the health of some people.
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Bio Med Central said the results of research on apple cider vinegar taken every day as much as two tablespoons with water will slow down the digestive process. This also occurs in people with gastroparesis, which most people with type 1 diabetes experience.
It should be noted that in people with gastroparesis, the nerves in the stomach don’t work properly. As a result, food will remain in the stomach for quite a long time so this is not good for health.
2. Indigestion occurs
The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar can sometimes affect the condition of certain people (not all), especially in people with ulcers. Also, drinking apple cider vinegar directly is not recommended because it can cause sores in the throat. But this happens a little bit and only in a few cases.
For this reason, people who experience throat problems such as wounds, are not advised to consume apple cider vinegar because they are worried that it can make things worse.
3. Problems with teeth
The next side effect of apple cider vinegar is that it worsens dental health. Tooth enamel or the outer layer of a tooth can be damaged if it is constantly eroded with acids and apple cider vinegar is acidic.
So, consuming apple cider vinegar if it is exposed to your teeth continuously can damage the enamel and eventually cause cavities. Enamel is the part of teeth that protects teeth, but is sensitive to acidity.
So, if circumstances make you have to consume apple cider vinegar, you should dilute it with water first to reduce the acidity of the vinegar. Besides being able to erode the enamel layer, apple cider vinegar can make your teeth turn yellow, making it difficult to turn white again.
4. Causes soreness in the esophagus
If consumed in excess, apple cider vinegar has a bad effect on the esophagus because it causes a sore taste. A nutritionist named Katherine Zeratsky said that consuming excessive apple cider vinegar for a long time is likely to cause throat problems.
The solution is to consume apple cider vinegar by mixing or first diluting it with mineral water to reduce the potential for vinegar to stick to the wall of the esophagus.
5. Lowering blood sugar
Vinegar is antiglycemic and so has the effect of lowering blood sugar, says Medscape General Medicine. Indeed, for diabetic it is good for health. However, for some people who do not have a problem with diabetes, it can sometimes cause hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a lack of sugar supply in the blood which can cause an insufficient supply of sugar to the brain.
This condition can be fatal, a person with an insufficient supply of sugar to the brain can cause his body to drop and faint.
How to Consume Apple Cider Vinegar
Now, after we know the benefits of apple cider vinegar and its side effects, now how do you consume apple cider vinegar, is it the same as drinking plain water? Let’s look at the reviews.
Drinking apple cider vinegar is not the same as drinking water. It is highly recommended to first dilute it with water and then drink it to reduce the acidic effect of the vinegar.
If apple cider vinegar is not mixed with water first, it can cause various health problems such as damaged tooth enamel, brittle teeth, injuring the esophagus, and can even lead to a higher level of tooth yellow.
Then, how does the apple vinegar solution compare to water. The comparison is 1:10. This means that if you use one spoonful of apple cider vinegar, then 10 spoons of water should be used.
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There is no specific dose of apple cider vinegar, but the habit is to consume 2 tablespoons every day in the morning before meals or after meals. After drinking, don’t forget to rinse your mouth with mineral water to get rid of the sticky acid in your mouth.
We recommend that you consult your doctor first if you want to consume apple cider vinegar regularly every day.
The thing to note is that you should also use a straw when drinking apple cider vinegar, the goal is to prevent the vinegar from getting on with your teeth. If you have gastroparesis, then you should not consume apple cider vinegar or reduce the dosage from one tablespoon to one teaspoon.
That’s a brief review of apple cider vinegar, starting from the benefits of apple cider vinegar for health, the side effects it can cause, and how to consume it. Hopefully useful and increase our knowledge about health.
