Apple cider vinegar has been touted by grandmothers and alternative health providers as a remedy for various health issues, from gastrointestinal problems to wounds to high blood pressure. While the vinegar may have some health benefits, it also carries the risk of side effects and interactions with medication that you might be taking. Talk to your doctor before trying any alternative remedies, including apple cider vinegar.
Gastrointestinal Effects
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, drinking a couple of teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed into a glass of warm water several times per day can help you get over a bout of food poisoning more quickly due to its antibacterial properties. Apple cider vinegar also can delay gastric emptying. In nondiabetic people, this can allow your blood glucose level to stay more constant. In diabetics, however, this delayed gastric emptying can cause you to have trouble regulating your glucose and insulin levels. If you are diabetic, do not take apple cider vinegar without your doctor's supervision.
Anti-Infective Benefits
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that make it good for sanitizing dentures. The residue left on dentures from vinegar does not cause the same irritation and ulcerations as other antimicrobial preparations. Household cleansers are better at killing more pathogens, however, so vinegar should not serve as a substitute for cleaning household surfaces. Medscape General Medicine does not recommend using it to clean out wounds, even though it does have antibacterial properties, because it is not effective against certain bacteria.
Other Possible Benefits
According to Medscape General Medicine, some studies show tentative links between vinegars and a lowered risk of certain health problems. Apple cider vinegar can lower the systolic blood pressure in rats, but the same results have not been shown in humans. Because vinegar contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants, it is possible that ingesting apple cider vinegar could lower your cancer risk, but this has not been proven. Ingesting apple cider vinegar may make you feel fuller longer, which could lead to weight loss. Registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky of Mayo Clinic, however, points out that the only sure way to lose weight is to cut your calorie consumption, and she warns against counting on vinegar consumption to aid in weight loss.
Warnings
Because apple cider is very acidic, it can cause irritation when applied to wounds or ingested. If you drink apple cider vinegar in large amounts or often, you may experience irritation or burning in your mouth or throat. If this happens, discontinue the use of the vinegar and see your doctor. This vinegar is known to interact with certain medications, including diuretics and insulin. These interactions can cause serious health problems. Do not take apple cider vinegar without talking to your doctor if you are taking any other supplements or medications.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Food Poisoning; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; Aug. 30, 2010
- BMC Gastroenterology; Effect of Apple Cider vinegar on Delayed Gastric Emptying in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study; Joanna Hlebowicz, et al; 2007
- Medscape General Medicine; Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect;Carol S. Johnston et al; May 30, 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Weight Loss; Katherine Zeratsky; 2010
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