Apple cider vinegar is used in home remedies of all types. However, it's most often associated with helping people lose weight. Although there's no evidence to prove the weight loss connection, vinegar may help to lower blood pressure, according to a handful of studies. Because it isn't a surefire remedy, you shouldn't substitute regular treatment for vinegar. So talk to your doctor before adding this alternative approach to your daily regimen.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure refers to the rate at which blood moves through the arteries. If you have high blood pressure or hypertension, the blood is propelled with too much force. This can damage the arteries over time and put you at risk for heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. For an accurate diagnosis, have your blood pressure taken in the doctor's office. The reading consists of two numbers -- your systolic blood pressure or the pressure while the heart is beating, and diastolic pressure or the pressure in between beats. While normal blood pressure is generally a reading of 120/80 mm Hg, high blood pressure is anything above 120/139 mm Hg, says MayoClinic.com. Diuretics are often prescribed for treating high blood pressure, as is a healthy diet that's low in sodium, regular exercise, and losing weight if you're overweight.
Acetic Acid Improved Hypertension in Rats
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which is thought to help lower blood pressure. According to a 2001 study referenced in a medical review published by "Medscape General Medicine" in 2006 by Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., rats with high blood pressure were fed acetic acid. As a result, they saw an improvement in their condition. In fact, the hypertensive rats experienced a 20 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure. No studies have been conducted on humans to mirrors these results, as of 2011.
May Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Another study referenced in the "Medscape General Medicine" review was published in 2005 in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" and conducted by the Department of Food Technology at Lund University in Sweden. The study showed that supplementing participants' diets with vinegar, in particular the acetic acid in all types of vinegar, helped to stabilize blood glucose following a meal. It also reduced appetite and increased the period of time participants felt full after eating. This shows apple cider vinegar may make it easier for people to lose weight, which can also be helpful to those trying to lower their blood pressure, as one of the primary high blood pressure treatments suggested by MayoClinic.com is to lose weight.
May Improve High Cholesterol
Apple cider vinegar may also play a role in reducing high cholesterol. According to a study conducted by the Central Research Institute and published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" in 2006, rats that were fed acetic acid from vinegar along with a high cholesterol diet saw a reduction in blood cholesterol levels after 19 days. Again, this research has not been mirrored on humans as of 2011, but it does show promise in helping to reduce the risks of heart disease like arterial blockages, which can cause hypertension.
References
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); March 2011
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Quercetin Reduces Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Subjects; Randi L. Edwards et al.; November 2007
- Medscape General Medicine; Vinegar--Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect; Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., R.D. and Cindy A. Gaas, B.S.; May 2006
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Dietary Acetic Acid Reduces Serum Cholesterol and Triacylglycerols in Rats Fed a Cholesterol-Rich Diet; T. Fushimi, et al.; May 2006
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); Tests and Diagnosis; March 2011
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); Lifestyle and Home Remedies; March 2011
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