Does Apple Cider Vinegar really have positive effects on health and wellness?!
For quite awhile now, I have been hearing about how great apple cider vinegar (ACV) is and all of it’s glorious health benefits! It’s good for your skin, it helps with weight loss and digestion, acid reflux, ability to lower blood pressure, and even improve diabetes. So is all of this true?? Is apple cider vinegar really the mother of all remedies for these health issues and problem areas? I am hoping to either prove or debunk what I have seen in the media with a little scientific research of my own…
Stretch Marks
By: Keirsten Marie
Stretch marks!! Ugh! No one likes stretch marks but unfortunately most of us have them somewhere on our body. This YouTube video states that in just one application of ACV to an area of stretch marks, there was a remarkable reduction in the appearance of them. In this video, there is no before and after shot. It is just a picture of stretch marks and a bottle of vinegar. So how do we know it’s true?!
There was a study done in Gonabad, Iran which tested ACV on 23 women, ages 20-35 years old. The application of the vinegar was put on stretch marks on the right side of the women’s body twice a day for one month and the left side was the control with no vinegar. Results showed a significant difference in length and width on the right side.
Reference: Eshghizadeh, M., Moghaddam, M. B., Najafi, S., Rezvani, Z., Atarodi, M., & Baghban, M. (2015). The effect of apple cider vinegar on striae gravidarum in women aged 20-35 years residing in Gonabad. Avicenna Journal Of Phytomedicine, 5110-111.
Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year. I am sure all of us know someone living with diabetes and have to watch as they test their blood sugar daily, inject insulin, and monitor their sugar and carb intake. I am also sure that we would love to be able to find something to help eliminate or even alleviate some of that burden. In the video link below, one teaspoon of ACV can help with reducing the absorption of certain starches which can help with diabetes.
ACD vs. diabetes
In one study, research tested ACV and cinnamon alone and combined on 15 healthy individuals ages 19-26 years old to see if it had an impact on blood glucose levels after meals and satiety. Results showed that cinnamon and ACV combined did not have a significant impact on satiety which may debunk the theory of ACV on weight loss, however, cinnamon alone did have an impact on mitigating blood glucose levels in the adults. Therefore, instead of drinking the vinegar, individuals with diabetes may want to incorporate some cinnamon into their daily diet.
Reference: Chezem, J., Fernandes, N., Holden, J., & Bollinger, L. (2012). Effects of Ground Cinnamon and Apple Cider Vinegar on Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels in Healthy Adults. Journal Of The Academy Of Nutrition & Dietetics, 112A43. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.06.148Weight Loss
Weight Loss
By: Phil Gradwell
Ok. Let’s face it, weight loss is something that many individuals struggle with on a daily basis. We are alway trying to find that get thin quick remedy instead of putting in the work and changing our lifestyle and diets. So, I am not surprised that people have been jumping on the ACV diet remedy in order to lose a few pounds around their mid-section, but does it work?
One article states that not enough research has been done and there is a lack of strong scientific evidence to support this weight loss claim. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity discusses the effects of ingesting ACV caused nausea which suppressed individuals appetite. Some nutritionist do not encourage ACV for this reason. However, this has been said to be the only side effect of ACV. Articles as well as the video above state that ACV should be used IN COMBINATION with exercise, healthy eating, and adequate rest in order to gain maximum benefits.
Reference: Amidor, T. (2015). ASK THE EXPERT. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND WEIGHT LOSS. Today’s Dietitian, 17(9), 10.
In conclusion, if you are going to try ACV for any of the health issues listed above or some you may see in the media, make sure you do some of your own research beforehand. The ACV must be organic as well as state it has the “Mother” in it, which is the beneficial bacteria which makes the apple cider vinegar in the first place. Pasteurized vinegar does not have the “Mother” and therefore lacks the ingredient which is said to cause the health benefits.