Apple cider vinegar pills are a dietary supplement that purportedly contain concentrated apple cider vinegar. Though research into the efficacy of these pills is lacking, there is some supporting evidence that the acetic acid and other nutrients in apple cider vinegar may improve your health. You should speak to your doctor before taking any supplement; many times the contents of the apple cider vinegar pills may be different from what is described on the label.
Improved Digestion
The primary health benefit you may experience while taking apple cider vinegar pills is an improvement in food digestion. Apple cider vinegar typically contains between 5 and 6 percent acetic acid. This acid aids in the breakdown of nutrients like carbohydrates and protein. Research into apple cider vinegar tablets by the University of Arkansas in 2006 revealed that some may contain anywhere from three to 10 times as much acetic acid as liquid vinegar.
Cardiovascular Benefits
The acetic acid in vinegar and apple cider vinegar pills may help to prevent some types of cardiovascular disease. In a 2006 review of vinegar research titled "Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect," Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., R.D. and Cindy A. Gaas, B.S. state that vinegar has been tentatively linked to lowering blood pressure and reducing risk for fatal ischemic heart disease. However, the studies pointing to vinegar's cardiovascular benefits have been on a small scale or with laboratory animals only, so more extensive research in humans is necessary to assess if apple cider vinegar pills are helpful in this regard.
Blood Glucose Control
Controlling your blood glucose can be critical to your health if you have diabetes, but it may also be useful in the prevention of diabetes and controlling your weight. When describing the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, registered dietitian Matthew Kadey cites a study in the "Annales of Nutrition and Metabolism" that showed that apple cider vinegar taken with a meal containing carbohydrates can limit post-meal blood glucose increases by nearly 20 percent.
Nutritional Content
High-quality apple cider vinegar tablets may contain other healthful nutrients beyond acetic acid. Columbia University reports that apple cider vinegar may contain notable amounts of iron, calcium, copper and potassium. The FDA does not regulate the quality of apple cider vinegar pills, however. The content of apple cider vinegar pills from one manufacturer may not contain additional nutrients, so there is no guarantee you will receive additional health benefits from these nutrients with this supplement.
References
- "Vegetarian Times"; Healing Foods--Apple Cider Vinegar; Matthew G. Kadey, R.D.; October 2010
- Medscape General Medicine; Vinegar--Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect; Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., R.D. and Cindy A. Gaas, B.S.; May 2006
- Columbia University; Apple Cider Vinegar; August 2010
- University of Arkansas; Apple Cider Vinegar? Or Just Acid?; April 2006
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