A vinegar and water diet consists of apple cider vinegar mixed with water and is typically used for weight loss. According to Every Diet, the apple cider vinegar diet is simply mixing 1 to 3 tsp. of apple cider vinegar with water and drinking it before meals; three times a day is ideal. Adding a bit of honey to the mixture can make it more palatable.
History
According to XTimeline, using apple cider vinegar for medicinal purposes dates back to the 1820s when it was made popular by Lord Byron. In 1950, Dr. D. C. Jarvis, a Vermont country doctor, once again brought the vinegar and water benefits to the American people in his book "Folk Medicine." Today people still sing the wonders of using apple cider vinegar for everything from soothing indigestion to losing weight.
Apple Cider Vinegar vs. Other Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has healthy elements that other vinegars do not, according to The Global Healing Center. Since raw apple cider vinegar is not pasteurized, the organically grown apples retain much of the fruit's nutrients after the process of fermentation. Fermentation produces enzymes and additional nutrients, making it impossible for bad bacteria to harm the raw vinegar.
Pros and Cons
The apple cider vinegar diet is considered a fad diet, although Home Remedies Web says that many people still use apple cider vinegar for weight loss and other medicinal purposes. Apple cider vinegar has no apparent side effects, according to the site, and is inexpensive. Regardless, the taste and the smell is the main reason some people stay away from this diet. However, apple cider vinegar is available in capsules at health food stores.
Acetic Acid
According to the Straight Dope website, the main ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid, formed when certain bacteria react with ethyl alcohol. You may know acetic acid as being used in antiseptics, cleaners or solvents--items you would never ingest. However, acetic acid in low levels can be tolerated by the body. Straight Dope claims that most vinegars have less than 10 percent acetic acid, making it difficult to accidentally take too much of an oral dose.
Precautions
Speaking with your physician prior to making any changes to your diet is always a good idea. If you have health-related issues, a medical professional may be able to offer information on healthy eating habits, counting calories or exercises that are right for your condition.
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