Have you ever heard about taking apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach? It's not just for salads anymore! From helping your stomach feel better to keeping your sugar levels in check, apple cider vinegar is quite helpful for your health. In this guide, we'll discuss in detail the benefits of apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach.
What is an apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made from apple juice or crushed apples. It's recently gained quite a reputation as a multipurpose health tonic. The vinegar is created through fermentation that transforms apple sugars into acetic acid, giving it that tangy flavour we've all tasted.
Although vinegar has been used for centuries as a natural health remedy, modern research needs to be more consistent about the wide-ranging benefits claimed by apple cider vinegar. The best approach is to try it yourself and see if you enjoy it! Start with small amounts mixed into water or tea.
Nutritional value of apple cider vinegar
Amount Per 100 grams:
|
Calories |
22 |
|
Total Fat |
0 g |
|
Saturated fat |
0 g |
|
Sodium |
5 mg |
|
Potassium |
73 mg |
|
Total Carbohydrate |
0.9 g |
|
Sugar |
0.4 g |
Types of apple cider vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar with the mother: This type contains proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria. It is perfect for you because it has all these extras. It's kept just the way it is, without filtering or heating, so all the healthy bits stay in.
- Filtered apple cider vinegar: It is the precise type. It's been cleaned up to remove any bits and pieces, making it smoother and more drinkable. Some people think it might not be as packed with benefits as the unfiltered kind, but many folks still like it.
- Unfiltered apple cider vinegar: It is real, with tiny bits of apple and other natural bits left inside. This makes it full of vitamins and minerals that are great for your health.
- Unpasteurised apple cider vinegar: This is about keeping things as natural as possible. It's not heated up and keeps all the healthy stuff alive. Just remember to keep it in a cool, dark place.
- Organic apple cider vinegar: It comes from apples grown without any chemicals. This makes it better for the planet and possibly for you.
The right time to take apple cider vinegar
Finding the best time to take apple cider vinegar (ACV) can make a difference in how it benefits you. Generally, most people prefer taking it before meals to help with digestion. Taking a small amount of ACV diluted in water about 20 to 30 minutes before eating can help your stomach get ready to break down the food you're about to eat, potentially easing digestion.
Some people take ACV on an empty stomach in the morning, believing it kickstarts their metabolism and helps cleanse their body. However, there might be better ideas than this if you have a sensitive stomach, as it could cause discomfort.
Culinary uses of apple cider vinegar
Using apple cider vinegar (ACV) in the kitchen is like unlocking a secret ingredient that can make your dishes pop with flavour and even add a health kick. Here are the ways in which you can start experimenting with apple cider vinegar in your cooking:
1. Salad dressings and marinades
When making salad dressings, try using apple cider vinegar instead of your usual vinegar. It gives your salad a yummy, tangy flavour that could be stronger. If you're marinating meat, adding apple cider vinegar can make the meat softer and give it a tasty kick.
2. Baking
You can use apple cider vinegar differently in baking. It's especially great in vegan recipes where you don't use eggs. A little bit of it can make your cakes and bread puff up and become nice and fluffy.
3. Beverages
ACV isn't just for food; you can drink it, too. Mixing a small amount of water with some honey creates a refreshing and potentially health-boosting drink.
4. Preserving with ACV
ACV is great for pickling vegetables. Its unique flavour pairs well with the natural taste of veggies, making homemade pickles even more special.
Benefits of apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach
1. Helps in weight loss
Apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss in a few ways. First, its acetic acid has been shown to suppress appetite and prevent overeating. You'll naturally eat less when you feel fuller from your meals. Second, acetic acid may help boost metabolism ever so slightly, promoting the burning of fat for energy in the body.
2. Provides probiotics & enzymes
Apple cider vinegar has in it beneficial probiotics and enzymes which can help promote gut health. The "mother" in unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a colony of beneficial bacteria that add enzymes, proteins, and friendly microorganisms to the vinegar. These probiotics support the good bacteria already present in your gut microbiome.
3. Detoxifies the body
The acids and enzymes in raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar help rid the body of toxins by binding to them and flushing them out. This beneficial cleansing effect supports overall health by promoting liver function to filter out waste and toxins and improving kidney performance to eliminate contaminants through urine efficiently.
4. Lower blood sugar levels
Apple cider vinegar can help lower blood sugar levels, which benefits those with diabetes or prediabetes. This means your body is better able to transport sugar from the bloodstream into cells to be used for energy. As a result, drinking a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar before meals can blunt the spike in blood sugar you'd usually get after eating carbohydrate-containing foods.
5. Balances pH levels
Even though apple cider vinegar is acidic, it has an alkalising effect on the body once metabolised. This means drinking a small amount of ACV can help neutralise excess acid in the stomach and bloodstream. Balancing pH levels with apple cider vinegar may help prevent or ease certain health issues caused by too much acidity, like acid reflux, bladder infections, gout flare-ups, etc.
6. Boosts circulation
Drinking apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach may help boost circulation by allowing the acetic acid to enter the bloodstream rapidly and promote dilation (expansion) of blood vessels. This improved blood flow assists transportation of oxygen and vital nutrients to organs and tissues throughout the body.
7. Enhances mineral absorption
The acids and enzymes in apple cider vinegar help break down and assimilate nutrients from the foods we eat. By improving stomach acidity, apple cider vinegar creates an optimal environment for our gut to absorb essential vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium from our foods.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar has gained popularity as a health tonic with many potential benefits. Science is still emerging, but there are some promising areas that drinking ACV - especially on an empty stomach - may help with weight loss, blood sugar control, probiotic balance, circulation, pH regulation, better mineral absorption, energy levels and skin health.
The acidic tang isn’t for everyone, but diluting just a teaspoon in water and trying it daily might just make you feel better overall. Remember that diet and lifestyle choices also play a key role. As with adding anything new, it’s wise to start slowly and gradually build up.
