Apple Cider Vinegar Diet Information

The apple cider vinegar diet was made popular in the 1950s by Dr. D.C. Jarvis. In his book "Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health," he wrote that the body's ability to burn fat was increased by taking daily doses of apple cider vinegar. He also believed that adding a few tsp. to a glass of water before each meal would curb the appetite and cravings. Since then, multiple apple cider vinegar diet plans have surfaced.

Ingredients

Naturally fermented, organic apple cider vinegar contains "mother of vinegar" which is a cloudy sediment consisting of acetic acid, the main active ingredient. It also contains amino, lactic and propionic acids along with enzymes and other important vitamins and minerals, including potash and pectin. Potassium is another key ingredient which leads to the belief that apple cider vinegar can assist in easing symptoms of the common cold and allergies. Potassium helps retard tooth decay and strengthens nails that can weaken as a result of potassium deficiency.

Dietary Benefits

Although the effects of apple cider vinegar on humans have been studied very little, a team led by Dr. Carol Johnston of Arizona State University in 2004 found that insulin sensitivity was reduced when apple cider vinegar was taken before meals. In 2005, a link was found between acetic acid, the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar, and suppression of appetite by a research team at Lund University.

Health Benefits

A 2005 study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" revealed that apple cider vinegar promotes blood alkaline production, helping to remove harmful toxins and assist with calorie consumption which may lead to weight loss. According to a 1987 study at the University of Florida and another study published in the "Journal of Nutrition," pectin, which is found in apple cider vinegar, can reduce serum cholesterol levels, specifically low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), otherwise known as "bad" cholesterol. Researchers at the Central Research Institute of the Mizkan Group showed a 10 percent reduction in subcutaneous fat deposits in mice that were fed a high-fat, complex carbohydrate meal with a 1.5 percent vinegar additive in their food. Claims such as these show promise in vinegar's ability to help process fatty, cholesterol-rich foods.

Side Effects

Apple cider vinegar has shown some medically backed promise over the years. However, there are some possible side effects that may occur due to ingesting apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has a high acid content and can irritate the throat and stomach. There could be an interaction between apple cider vinegar and some drugs and supplements which includes insulin and diuretics. Such possibilities should be taken into consideration before pursuing an apple cider vinegar diet.

Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets

A University of Arkansas study questions the quality and safety of tablets claiming to contain apple cider vinegar. The assistant professor of human nutrition, Dr. Jerald Foote, and a team of researchers tested 80 product samples which were labeled as apple cider vinegar tablets. Although the samples contained acetic acid, none of them included lactic acid, causing the team to doubt if any of them contained true apple cider vinegar. Inconsistencies were also found between labeling claims and actual ingredients, and some samples contained traces of mold and yeast.