Benefits Of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a derivative of apples. It is available in raw form or is processed and distilled, removing the murky, brown sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This sediment is the called the "mother" of the vinegar and is where all the health benefits reside. Raw apple cider vinegar contains potassium, pectin, malic acid, calcium, ash and acetic acid. The combination of the substances also has antibacterial properties.

Weight Loss

Proponents of raw apple cider vinegar believe that it helps to burn fat and increase metabolism, but at this time there is no conclusive clinical evidence that this is true, according to MayoClinic.com. Although the occasional use of apple cider vinegar should not cause other health problems, it is highly acidic and may change the pH of the body when drunk in large amounts. It can also interact with other medications that you may be taking, such as diuretics and insulin.

Insulin Sensitivity

In a study published in "Diabetes Care" from the American Diabetes Association in 2004, researchers found that ingesting vinegar significantly improved insulin sensitivity after meals in people who had a history of being resistant to insulin in the body. Subjects drank 20 g of apple cider vinegar mixed in 40 g of water and 1 tsp. saccharine. The data found that the acetic acid in the apple cider vinegar had physiological effects that were similar to medications that currently are used to treat individuals who suffer from insulin resistance and are pre-diabetic.

Stop Sugar Cravings

Apple cider vinegar has been used to help you reduce your cravings for sugar and sweets, especially helpful when you are trying to diet. According to Donna Gates, nutritional consultant and author at Body Ecology, you can add two teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar to 6 oz. of filtered water to help stop your cravings and reduce the likelihood that you'll reach for that bowl of ice cream or piece of cake.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are used by the body to build probiotics and stimulate the growth of healthy microflora in the large intestines. When this microflora is allowed to populate and grow in the large intestines, it helps to keep you healthy and strong by maintaining healthy digestion, fight illness and disease and preventing bowel dysfunctions, such as diarrhea.

Skin

Raw apple cider vinegar has been used to help clear acne and other skin blemishes, according to Global Healing Center. Topical application of apple cider vinegar can be done with a mixture of aspirin and apple cider vinegar or with hydrogen peroxide and molasses for whiteheads.