Apple cider vinegar is produced via the fermentation of apple cider, produced when microbes convert the sugar in apple cider into acetic acid. In folk medicine, vinegar is reputed to boost health, such as a potential beneficial effect on blood cholesterol. Despite its potential health benefits, apple cider vinegar does not boost vitamin C levels, since the vinegar does not even contain small amounts of the vitamin.
Importance of Vitamin C
Consuming enough vitamin C each day helps maintain healthy cells and tissues. It helps your body produce collagen, an abundant protein found throughout your body. Proper collagen production helps maintain your blood vessels, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissue. In addition, the vitamin prevents cellular damage due to oxidative stress -- stress associated with cancer, aging and Alzheimer's disease. Consume several servings of produce each day to help ensure adequate intake of vitamin C.
Nutrient Content
Apple cider vinegar contains a number of nutrients, but it does not contain any vitamin C, according to the University of California, Berkeley. As a result, taking apple cider vinegar on its own will not boost your vitamin C levels. Apple cider vinegar does contain other essential nutrients, including the essential minerals iron, potassium, calcium and copper, according to Go Ask Alice! at Columbia University. Use apple cider vinegar to improve the flavor of vitamin C-containing foods. For example, topping spinach and grapefruit with a vinaigrette made with apple cider vinegar provides your body with a rich source of vitamin C, due to the high ascorbic acid content of grapefruit flesh.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamin C and Blood Thinning
Both vitamin C and apple cider vinegar can lead to side effects, and they both affect your blood thickness. Apple cider vinegar can thin your blood to prevent blood clots. Vitamin C might have the opposite effect, and reduce the efficacy of blood thinners like coumadin, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. As a result, if you take apple cider vinegar for its effect on your blood, taking other supplements to boost your vitamin C levels might cancel out this effect. Talk to your doctor before taking apple cider vinegar and vitamin C, especially if you already take medication to control blood clotting.
Considerations
Because it has high acid content, apple cider vinegar might harm your teeth, since acid can erode your tooth enamel. Consuming apple cider vinegar on its own might also prove harmful, since the acid might cause esophageal burns. To minimise the health risks of apple cider vinegar, pair the vinegar with food so your mouth and throat avoid contact with large amounts of the pure apple cider vinegar.
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