Apple cider vinegar has gained rapid popularity in recent times, claiming numerous health benefits. Unlike the trend, vinegar has been used in traditional medicine for ages and is also part of various home remedies.

Many smaller research studies have suggested that vinegar can reduce fasting blood glucose, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure and help with weight loss. With the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, finding remedies that can help in prevention and treatment has gained attention.

But does vinegar actually show these health benefits? Let’s dig a little deeper, this article explores how apple cider vinegar's use is backed by science and its role in chronic conditions.

How Apple Cider Vinegar is Prepared?

The preparation of apple cider vinegar is a two-step process. The basic principle behind this is the fermentation of sugars present in apples by yeast and bacteria

• In the first step, yeast is added to the crushed apple to ferment the sugars into alcohol.
• Secondly, acetic acid bacteria (acetobacter) are added to convert the alcohol to acetic acid.

Nutritional Value of ACV

As you would have commonly noticed, apple cider vinegar is used in salad dressing and smoothies and is even consumed by diluting in water. Apart from cooking, they have been utilized in traditional medicine for decades.

Apple cider vinegar is a fermented drink, and most of its benefits are attributed to the vinegar present in it. They are very low in calories, which has drawn the attention of many weight-loss diets. They have no protein or fat content, and there is negligible sugar.

Role in Chronic Conditions

The burden of chronic metabolic disorders like diabetes and heart disease is on the rise. And the death rate in the country due to these chronic conditions is also increasing. With modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle and diet, these conditions can be very well prevented.

Numerous animal studies conducted to evaluate the benefits of vinegar have shown positive effects. So, let’s explore how apple cider vinegar can help with chronic conditions.

Reducing Serum Lipid Levels

A high level of blood cholesterol and triglycerides increases the chances of developing heart disease. But how can vinegar help you with this? Many animal studies have suggested that apple cider vinegar can potentially lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.

The anti-hypertensive and anti-hyperlipidemic properties of vinegar make them a better adjuvant to the diet in the treatment of heart diseases. However, most of these studies are performed on animals, and there is no strong evidence that these same effects will be seen in humans too.

Reducing Blood Sugar Levels

The effect of apple cider vinegar on reducing blood sugar levels is widely studied in smaller human studies and has produced convincing results. High amounts of blood glucose after a meal in the long term can cause chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus. When you consume vinegar after a meal, it can reduce postprandial blood glucose and improve insulin sensitivity.

But how does vinegar actually exhibit this effect? There are many mechanisms reported; one of them is decreased endogenous glucose production, that is, vinegar can inhibit glucose production (gluconeogenesis) in your liver. Apart from that, they also make you eat less by increasing satiety. This, in turn, reduces blood glucose spikes and hyperglycemia.

Antimicrobial and Antifungal Properties

Vinegar or acetic acid is known for its role as a disinfectant and helps to keep bacteria away. Apple cider vinegar has also shown the same effects in different research, suggesting anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. As we have all seen, many diseases are caused by fungi and bacteria. Vinegar can help you fight these diseases and kill the bacteria.

Through various studies, it was concluded that this effect is mainly due to the organic acids, which release certain compounds (anti-microbial peptides) that destroy the bacteria. Other than the acids, the flavonoids and phytochemicals present in vinegar can also help by exhibiting anti-oxidant effects.

Neurodegenerative Disorders

Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and motor neuron disorders are different neurodegenerative disorders that require appropriate care and treatment to prevent further complications. 

In recent times, it has been suggested by researchers that the addition of apple cider vinegar to a regular diet can help prevent the complications of neurologic disorders. This, being a new area of research, has no proper human studies. But so far, the studies conducted on animals have shown that this effect could be due to the higher antioxidant potential of your vinegar.

In degenerative disorders, one of the common problems is oxidative stress. Antioxidants generally help by eliminating free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Also, certain enzyme-inhibiting properties make them a better adjuvant in the treatment of these kinds of disorders.

Helps in Weight Loss

How many times have you come across a video on the web advising vinegar for weight loss?

A million times, yes! Even the actual fandom for apple cider vinegar started with weight loss. One of the main reasons is the appetite-suppressing effect of vinegar. By decreasing your appetite, the number of calories you take also decreases resulting in weight loss.

Another effect is delayed gastric emptying; your dietary fiber is well-known for this effect. When you have a meal rich in fiber, the time taken by the food to leave your stomach is decreased, thus ensuring satiety. Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to exhibit similar effects, making it a better addition to weight loss. However, it is important to note that further high-quality research is needed to support these recommendations.

Conclusion

Apple cider vinegar has been used by many for a while. Studies conducted so far have shown promising results as anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, aiding in weight loss, and anti-microbial. However, further high-quality studies are needed for more concrete results.

In conclusion, the presence of organic acids and antioxidants makes them a potential adjuvant in the treatment and prevention of chronic conditions but further human trials are required to fully understand their potential. It is also important to understand that, for the management of any chronic conditions or even for weight loss, a holistic approach with proper dietary and medical intervention should be considered rather than focusing on one particular food or beverage. The inclusion of such supplements can be made after consulting your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can apple cider vinegar help lower cholesterol levels?

Ans: Some animal studies suggest that apple cider vinegar may help lower cholesterol levels, but further research is needed to confirm its effects in humans.

2. Can apple cider vinegar improve blood sugar control?

Ans: Smaller human studies have shown that apple cider vinegar may help reduce postprandial blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

3. Does apple cider vinegar have antimicrobial properties?

Ans: Yes, apple cider vinegar has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial and antifungal properties, mainly due to its organic acids and certain compounds it releases.

4. Can apple cider vinegar help in weight loss?

Ans: Apple cider vinegar may aid in weight loss by suppressing appetite and delaying gastric emptying, but more high-quality research is needed to support these claims.

5. Is apple cider vinegar beneficial for neurodegenerative disorders?

Ans: While studies on animals suggest that apple cider vinegar might have a positive effect on neurodegenerative disorders, further research is required to understand its potential in humans.