10. Effective in Treating High Cholesterol
There has yet to be a study done on effects of ACV on humans with high cholesterol but a study in 2006 found rats fed ACV for 19 days had drastic reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (11). There’s also an antioxidant called chlorogenic acid present in ACV which has been found to LDL cholesterol particles from becoming oxidized.
11. Antiglycemic Effect
Plenty of human studies have been done on the effect vinegar has on insulin response and blood glucose levels after a meal (13). I think it’s important that everyone understands what insulin is and does in our bodies.
Insulin plays a critical role in the way our bodies use food. The primary function is decreasing the concentration of glucose (sugar) in your blood stream. Every time you eat, your body begins to break down the food into glucose, which goes into your blood stream.
Your pancreas reacts to the surge in glucose by releasing insulin which cleans the the sugar from your blood. A portion of the glucose runs through the liver, where it’s converted to glycogen to be used by your muscles. Then insulin converts any left over glucose into fatty acids stored in the form of fat cells as an energy source later. Our bodies crave sugar, and so much of what we buy in the grocery store has added sugar as a result. Many are developing a resistance to insulin which means that your body has has so much insulin secreted that it starts to ignore it and the sugar stays in the blood stream, which is not a good thing.
This can develop into diabetes and permanent health damages. Vinegar also suppresses the appetite and increases a feeling of satiety. (14) ACV may also lower the glycemic response to starchy carbohydrates (15). With diabetes as prevalent as it is today it’s comforting to know that something as simple as vinegar may be an effective treatment.
12. Preventative
Cancer is devastating and debilitating. Almost all of us have loved ones who have been affected by this heinous disease. There’s so much research in the realm of cancer prevention, a healthy diet and lifestyle are of the utmost importance. The acetic acid present in ACV has been found in a number of cell and animal studies to have anti-tumor properties (16). We are in to way claiming that apple cider vinegar is a cure for cancer or tumors, but ongoing research and testing is a step in the right direction. The amazing thing is that we can incorporate disease-preventing foods like this one easily into our daily regime, there are no harmful side effects, and no risk of overdose, so why not?
13. Improves Digestion
Apple cider vinegar in its raw form is an excellent digestive tonic. It’s rich in living enzymes that help to break food down to its bare components, making it far easier to assimilate. As I mentioned before, it’s an important source of acid that enables the first step of digestion to work effectively. Stirring up those digestive juices helps immensely with the rest of the digestive processes. The acetic acid present in ACV has also been shown to help with mineral absorption, enabling us to get the most out of the foods we eat (17).
14. Prevents Muscle Fatigue After Exercise
Muscle fatigue can often be a symptom of mineral and electrolyte depletion. To make sure the body has ample electrolyte stores, take a tbs of ACV with water before a workout. When our PH is naturally in balance, it creates an environment where elimination of excess lactic acid in the muscles easily occurs, this stasis also plays a crucial role in oxygenating our bodies during exercise
15. Bad Breath
Halitosis: it’s embarrassing and can be a sign of a deeper problem, but one remedy for bad breath is, you guessed it, ACV. A folk remedy that many people claim has merit is to gargle with 1/2 tbs raw ACV diluted in water for 30 seconds, twice per day (19). Some say it helps whiten teeth and remove stains.
16. Body Odor
ACV helps control excessive body odour by regulating the pH of the skin, something most commercial deodorants and perfumes can’t claim (20). For foot odour as well as fungal problems, even just a 10 minute soak once a week can keep bad smells in check. To use ACV as a deodorant simply wipe each armpit with a soaked cotton ball daily.
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