Struggling with belly fat? Consume apple cider vinegar to speed up weight loss and improve your health.
Apple cider vinegar is mostly apple juice, but adding yeast turns the sugar in the juice into alcohol. This is a process called fermentation. Bacteria turn the alcohol into acetic acid. That’s what gives vinegar its sour taste and strong smell. Apple cider vinegar has a long history as a home remedy, used to treat things like sore throat and varicose veins.
Thinking of apple cider vinegar, the first reaction that immediately comes to mind is that distorted “sour” expression and a wave of heebie-jeebies. Which is why, many people don’t typically fancy themselves a shot of it first thing in the morning or, ever.
It’s not a magic potion — but it surely offers many health benefits.
ACV’s Main Ingredient Is All About #Perks
ACV is made by mixing apples, sugar, and yeast, and allow the mixture to ferment. This process creates alcohol. Specific strains of bacteria then convert the alcohol into acetic acid. When all the alcohol is gone, the mixture becomes apple cider vinegar.
Since apple cider vinegar contains bacteria and yeast, some people claim it is a source of probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that benefit health. Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples, and its main active ingredient is acetic acid. Acetic acid is the reason for ACV’s rise to fame as a wellness darling.
Vinegar has been used as a remedy for centuries. The ancient Greeks treated wounds with it. In recent years, people have explored apple cider vinegar as a way to lose weight, improve heart health, and even treat dandruff. Vinegar also has chemicals known as polyphenols. They help stop the cell damage that can lead to other diseases, like cancer.
What’s the deal with ACV and weight?
Apple cider vinegar can be taken in various forms – either you can incorporate it into your cooking or drink it as a beverage by diluting it with a glass of water. It is recommended to begin with small doses because an excess of it can cause harmful side effects.
- One tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar contains about three calories and virtually no carbs.
- For weight loss, you can take a daily amount of 2 tablespoons of vinegar mixed with a cup of water. It can be taken either on an empty stomach or after eating.
- An easy method is to use it with olive oil as a salad dressing. It proves particularly tasty with leafy greens, cucumbers and tomatoes.
- It can also be used for pickling vegetables, or you can simply mix it into water and drink it.
- The amount of apple cider vinegar used for weight loss is 1–2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) per day, mixed with water.
- It is best to spread this out into 2–3 doses throughout the day, and it may be best to drink it before meals.
It’s important to mix it with water, as undiluted vinegar may burn the inside of your mouth and esophagus. Taking a moderate amount of apple cider vinegar appears to promote weight loss and provide a number of other health benefits. Other types of vinegar may provide similar benefits, although those with lower acetic acid content might have less potent effects.
You can cook with it!
If you can’t stand the taste of straight-up ACV, try cooking with it instead.
Slow-cooked cider beans
Imagine eating these beans alongside a hot dog at a backyard barbecue… Match made in heaven.
Creamy vegan queso dip
For the queso lovers…You’re welcome.
Baby kale, butternut squash, and chicken salad with cider dressing
This yummy salad can boost your energy through the roof.
Apple cider vinegar for weight loss
A low calorie drink
About 100 grams of apple cider vinegar has about 22 calories, which means it makes for a low-calorie drink that can help boost weight loss. Adding a tablespoon of ACV into a glassful of water and drinking first thing in the morning may help burn belly fat.
Helps suppress fat accumulation
Acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, was found to suppress fat accumulation. Daily intake of apple cider vinegar might be useful in the prevention of metabolic syndrome by reducing obesity.
It helps you keep fuller for long
Acetic acid present in ACV leaves you feeling fuller for longer, thereby, preventing you from overeating or cravings. This will help you eat fewer calories and lead to actual kilos lost on the scale.
Manages blood sugar levels
It helps stabilise blood sugar levels, especially after eating a meal high in carbohydrates. Stabilised blood sugar levels are important to ensure a healthy and effective weight loss.
Hey, wait! There’s more ACV magic
Weight loss is just the tip of the iceberg. Apple cider vinegar is also linked to:
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Improved symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Fewer bacteria and viruses
- Decreased cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower fasting blood sugar
Is there a downside to the apple cider vinegar diet?
For many natural remedies, there seems to be little risk, so a common approach is “why not try it?” However, for diets with high vinegar content, a few warnings are in order:
It might cause some medications to not work as well. These include diabetes and heart disease drugs as well as diuretics and laxatives. It may cause your potassium levels to drop too low. Your muscles and nerves need that nutrient to work the way they should.
Because of its high acidity, drinking a lot of apple cider vinegar can damage your teeth, hurt your throat, and upset your stomach. In short, apple cider vinegar probably won’t hurt you. But it isn’t a miracle cure. Gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, is a common complication of type 1 diabetes. Since apple cider vinegar has been shown to extend the time food stays in your stomach, taking it with meals could worsen gastroparesis.
ACV pills: A frenemy at best
Last but not least, you can always pop a supplement.
Research is super limited on the effectiveness of ACV supplements, so it’s unclear if they provide the same health perks as the liquid form. The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, so it’s difficult to know exactly how much ACV is in each pill and whether they contain unlisted ingredients. Injuries such as burned throats from ACV pills have been reported.
If you’re going to take ACV pills, it’s probably a good idea to consult a healthcare provider to evaluate the risks and compatibility with your health situation.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a whole mood thing. So why is everyone so obsessed with it?
Basically, apple cider vinegar can be a great natural remedy for weight loss. Acetic acid, the main ingredient that helps with weight loss by targeting body fat. The fact is that consuming a small amount of apple cider vinegar activates your metabolism, which in turn helps your body use fat as a form of energy instead of storing it.
Since, every good thing comes with a “Warning Sign”, this also has its part of disadvantages, if you increase your daily doses. Apart from this, be rest assured this “Wonder Concoction” won’t ever hurt you.
