apple cider vinegar...bad for you?

okay so a friend of mine introduced me to apple cider vinegar. She takes shots of it everyday and claims it has all these health benefits (better skin, weight loss etc).

The shot was gross, so I found a recipe for it. Mixing a shot with a pint of water and some honey. Well I am OBSESSED with it now. I'm serious, I crave it, it's delicious.

So I did some research and I guess these so called health claims are unreported, and some people have said that it makes your potassium levels low , and removes enamel from your teeth.

So now I don't know what to believe, but like I said I am OBSESSED with drinking it. In fact I am going to make some now.

Thoughts?

Replies

Alwayssohungry

My dad drank it 1/2 hour before each meal and he is now off is Diabetes medicine. Does wonders to stabilize your sugars, somehow., it's magic.

neandermagnon

I add vinegar (usually apple cider vinegar, sometimes red wine vinegar) to my food because I like the taste, I eat loads of it that way. I've never been convinced about the alleged health benefits, and I'm not aware of any dangers, and the tooth enamel thing is just because it's acidic, so that would be the same for any acidic food, e.g. citrus fruits. Clean your teeth after eating.... problem solved.

Anyway, I've eaten like this all my life, I've been obese and I've lost weight, if it really prevented obesity then I wouldn't have ever become obese. And the only way it helped me to lose weight is because you can make some great tasting low calorie salad dressings with it, and use it in other foods to flavour them without adding calories.

gmms57

Braggs apple cider vinegar, I used to take a spoonful in a glass with a little water, tasted awful, BUT it got rid of my acid reflux. Wish I had known about it before I took all those useless acid reflux meds....prescription and otc.

hharvey9

Interesting. I can't wait to hear what people say, because I'm completely addicted to diet pop, and really need to curb that. I think the only way I'll break that habit is to get hooked on something else.

Water is a great thing to get hooked on :laugh:

Also.. check out google search or pinterest.. there are TONS of awesome ideas on infused waters using natural ingredients (fruits, herbs, etc) that look amazing. I cut soda cold turkey and drink straight water (no soda, juice, etc) and am thinking these infused waters would be a perfect way to have some extra flavor without all the junk!

bonniecarbtoo

Vinegar contains potassium, so its strange it can lower a person's potas. Its funny whole books have been written about ACV. I discovered Braggs about 30 years ago and I use it for everything I can think of. But one thing I had to stop, was taking an ounce a day STRAIGHT. I was getting hooked on it, I craved that straight Braggs. Now I take an ACV tablet that contains kelp, vitamin B and lecithin. Slightly helps with appetite and energy, as the Braggs did.

kathyvstephan

bump

jennifershoo

Since you sweeten it with honey, you might want to keep tracks of how many calories your current obsession is making you drink.

That's what I was gonna say. A couple Tbs of honey a day can add up quickly!

Seajolly

I was drinking ACV every morning for a few months and felt great. Stopped for no reason, I guess I just fell out of habit, a few months back. This thread has inspired me to add it back to my daily diet!

zoeysasha37

My doctor actually turned me on to this , I had chronic uti infection and one day my doctor said try the apple cider vinegar , mixed with 5 ounce water , I did it three times a day and it worked ... So I do believe there are many health benefits from this , my doctor said she uses it herself (braggs brand)

zoeysasha37

Braggs apple cider vinegar, I used to take a spoonful in a glass with a little water, tasted awful, BUT it got rid of my acid reflux. Wish I had known about it before I took all those useless acid reflux meds....prescription and otc.

This!!!! I had female issues , but it worked ....

Adrasteis

I take it in capsule form once or twice a day before I eat. It is supposed to help filter out toxins in the body and can help with fat absorption. Not sure if it is true but I have noticed my acne has disappeared since I've been using it.

SHINDY12

Bump

zoodocgirl

Remember, people, books are not peer-reviewed. Pretty much anyone can write one. And just because it's one "doctor" doesn't mean it's gospel.

ACV has shown some interesting antiglycemic effects and potentially some anti-triglyceride effects, but also raised cholesterol in rats and can definitely wear down the enamel on your teeth if overdone.

Like anything, it's got some potentially beneficial aspects but can CERTAINLY be overdone and is not the miracle-cure-all it's touted to be. There's even a case report of a topical burn from it that required medical treatment.

I have had clients try to use it to cure all manner of veterinary ailments (unsuccessfully) - some even put it in their dogs' ears to try to cure yeast infections. All they did was make the dog extremely painful by pouring acid onto an inflamed surface and set up a bacterial infection on top of it all!

motojuju

HMMM.... in reference to the acid comment, it's my understanding that the pH of apple cider vinegar is actually higher than stomach acid (meaning it is more alkaline.) SO, if you were to mix a strong acid (stomach acid pH avg. of 3) with a weaker acid (apple cider vinegar pH average from 4 - 5), I would think the weak acid would have a dilutional effect on the concentration of the strong acid, thus making it into a weaker acid (still not ALKALINE, but weaker than it originally was.) This to me would explain the benefit to ulcers. Tell me if I am off.

Given the acidity of it, I think it is better to dilute it as well. That's why people with bulemia have destroyed teeth enamel. Whoever mentioned the straw comment was spot on. That's what we do in the hospital when giving medications that are harmful to teeth.

rustmary714

I drink the braggs with the mother in it, I try to do it everyday with about 2-3 ounces of orange juice and two tsp's ofthe vinegar, I think i feel better have more energy I usually remember about 3-4 days a week, if i skip longer I can tell a difference in my energy levels, a friend of mine did this most of his life and was healthy up to the day he died at 94..

monikabenoit

I always though of ACV as wonderful, and have heard only of the many health benefits, including stabilizing blood sugar levels and increasing feelings of satiety. I take a tablespoon straight up and then chase with plain water before each meal if I can remember or afterwards. I have been forgetting lately, time to start up again! Only get the unpasteurized kind that is cloudy (Braggs is one of the them of course). The different statements of caution that people have posted are very interesting and do pose certain questions but considering what kind of horrors are in the typical American diet I cannot believe a bit of ACV could really be too detrimental overall.

feedmedonuts

I tried to take a shot of it. I wasn't sure I had an esophagus left after

Then had severe heartburn. How do people do it?!

Shelle58704

I don't know if it's bad or not, but I love it as well. I mix one tablespoon of ACV, slice up one lemon, mince some mint leaves, add it all in a pitcher and top up to one liter. I try to do that at night before going to bed to let it steep all night. When I want a drink, I stir, then mix it half and half with carbonated mineral water, Gerolsteiner.

PowerKickChic

I know a few trainers that swear by it BUT it cant be the ultra filtered stuff. Basically its the organic 100% pure ones that work.

darhp758

Do not drink the ACV straight, that will take the enamel off of your teeth. Mix it with water or juice whichever you prefer. I usually mix 1 tablespoon with about 12 ounces of water. I try to drink it every day.

tennisdude2004

Do not drink the ACV straight, that will take the enamel off of your teeth. Mix it with water or juice whichever you prefer. I usually mix 1 tablespoon with about 12 ounces of water. I try to drink it every day.

You could drink it with a straw if you are worried about your teeth.

I think some people drink it to bring them back from the dead!

badgerbabs

Acid turns into base inside the body? Nonsense.

ChrisM8971

Personally I think it spoils it when it gets to the vinegar stage

badgerbabs

Please see http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar?page=2

PaleoPath4Lyfe

I tried it and it did nothing for the weight loss and gave me an ulcer, it's very hard on your stomach, be careful!

I highly doubt that the ACV gave you an ulcer when Dr's actually prescribe the raw, organic ACV for ulcer treatment and for occasional heart burn too.

The stomach contains HCL (hydro-chloric acid) so some acid from Apple Cider vinegar isn't going to cause an ulcer.

PaleoPath4Lyfe

OP - I drink a shot of ACV about 30 minutes before each meal. I give it to my dogs also and they love it in their water.

It has aided tremendously in controlling my blood sugars. I also use it when I get occasional heart burn or stomach upset and it settles it right down.

lsegatti

If you are using the apple cider vinegar from the grocery store you are not getting all the nutrients and pectin from the apples. If you are using the one from a health food store then you are getting the digestive support from the pectin etc. You should be aware of the acid levels for,the reasons you state, tooth enamel, ulcers etc.

Honey can also be good for you but if you are buying the store stuff...not as much nutritional support.

Juliezaccount

It won't hurt you, except maybe increase your risk for heartburn. It's not any more harmful to your teeth and bones than most sodas.

Scientific studies have NOT shown that cider vinegar is beneficial. However, studies have shown that pickle juice (which contains vinegar) can relieve exercise-induced muscle cramps. Other studies suggest that people who have high intestinal levels of bacteria found in fermented foods such as yoghurt, pickles, and sauerkraut tend to have lower percentages of body fat.