It's no accident that apple cider vinegar turns up as a key ingredient in home remedies for an array of ailments. An increasing body of evidence--both clinical and anecdotal--confirms that the sour condiment possesses beneficial medicinal properties. However, it's also apparent that this popular form of vinegar is not a panacea. Talk with your doctor to determine if apple cider vinegar is an appropriate addition to your regular healthcare regimen.
Antiglycemic Properties
Two researchers from Arizona State University's Department of Nutrition conducted a study to determine what role, if any, apple cider vinegar might have in managing blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., and Andrea M. White, Ph.D., selected 11 men and women, ranging in age from 40 to 72, who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but were not taking insulin. At bedtime test subjects were given either 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar or water, along with a standardized snack of 1 oz. cheese.
In their findings, published in the November 2007 issue of "Diabetes Care," Johnston and White revealed that fasting glucose levels in patients who were given apple cider vinegar were lower than those recorded for test subjects who were given water. They concluded that taking a small dose of apple cider vinegar at bedtime "may favorably impact waking glucose concentrations in type 2 diabetes."
Antimicrobial Properties
Acetic acid, the active ingredient in apple cider vinegar, is reputed to have broad antimicrobial properties, making it useful in treating infections that are bacterial, viral or fungal in origin. Joe and Teresa Graedon, authors of "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies," report that the vinegar appears effective in treating a variety of fungal infections, including athlete's foot, swimmer's ear and nail fungus. To both protect against and treat swimmer's ear, an infection that can be either fungal or bacterial in origin, the Graedons recommend using ear drops that are made up of one part vinegar to five parts tepid water. For the treatment of nail fungus, they pass along a remedy recommended by Massachusetts foot-care nurse Jane R. Kelley. Soak the affected digits in a foot bath of one part apple cider vinegar and two parts warm water. Using this foot bath regularly over a period of six weeks or more should clear up the fungal infection.
Promotes Healthy Digestion
If you're plagued with indigestion or other related gastrointestinal complaints, apple cider vinegar may ease some of your symptoms, according to Janet Zand, Allan N. Spreen, M.D., and James B. LaValle, authors of "Smart Medicine for Healthier Living." They recommend mixing 1 to 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar into a small amount of hot water. If the taste of that mixture is a bit too pungent, add a small amount of honey. Allow the mixture to cool and sip twice daily with meals for a month or until your digestive problems have been resolved. Check with a medical professional before using apple cider vinegar or any other home remedy.
References
- Diabetes Care; Vinegar Ingestion at Bedtime Moderates Waking Glucose Concentrations in Adults with Well-Controlled Type 2 Diabetes; Andrea M. White and Carol S. Johnston; November 2007
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon; 2002.
- "Smart Medicine for Healthier Living"; Janet Zand, Allan N. Spreen and James B. LaValle, 1999
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