Surely, you have already heard and read about the benefits of apple cider vinegar more than once. The most commonly cited recommendation is to drink apple cider vinegar to improve metabolism and a toned stomach. Why not do a quick overview to highlight 9 main uses of the famous elixir, when it is very useful and when you need to be careful?
1. Hair rinse
This may be the first time you’re hearing about this, but there are many good things about rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar (if diluted).
Here is an example of one popular review: “I hear compliments on my hair relentlessly, and my stylist even gave up trying to sell me hair lotions because they are full of shine and healthier than ever. I add some baking soda to my shampoo and rinse my hair with apple cider vinegar."
In addition to improving the texture of curls, apple cider vinegar can help with an itchy scalp and excessive alkalization of hair, as it helps restore the acid-base balance. Just be sure to dilute the apple cider vinegar with water.
2. Removing mold from the shower curtain
You've probably noticed mold that forms on your shower curtain, even in the cleanest bathroom. This happens due to high humidity. To deal with the problem, cleaning experts recommend adding apple cider vinegar to the washing machine and washing the curtain to keep it as good as new.
3. Apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight
You’ve heard about this more than once, but scientists are still not ready to make confident claims that apple cider vinegar contributes to weight loss.
Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar has only a slight effect on lowering blood lipids, and that's about it. While it can be assumed that the product has some effect on fat cells, there is not enough medical evidence to prescribe apple cider vinegar for your daily diet. In 2013, the International Journal of Obesity published a small study showing that apple cider vinegar can suppress appetite, but can cause nausea. So it all depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.
4. Possible lowering of cholesterol levels
A small study in 2012 confirmed that apple cider vinegar lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high blood cholesterol.
However, the study was small, so it is difficult to say for sure if apple cider vinegar will be beneficial when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels. More research is definitely needed.
5. May help dry and lighten blackheads (acne)
While the method has many opponents who believe that apple cider vinegar can irritate the skin, Dr. Marie Jhin, a dermatologist and spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology, told CNN that if diluted "very much," apple cider vinegar could potentially act as a toner, drying out acne and lightening dark spots.
If you're going to try, make sure you've diluted the vinegar enough and even then it's best to first try the apple cider vinegar solution on a small area of your skin, such as your wrist, before treating your face.
6. May help lower blood sugar
A 2005 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that adding apple cider vinegar to foods with a high glycemic load (high in starch) can help avoid spikes in blood sugar after food.
Additionally, a 2004 study by some of the same scientists at Arizona State University found that drinking diluted apple cider vinegar before eating starchy foods may help prevent dramatic changes in insulin and blood sugar after a meal. Again, make sure it is heavily diluted before use.
7. May affect feelings of fullness
Scientists at the University of Oran in Algeria conducted research in 2016 and noted that apple cider vinegar may help keep you feeling full for longer.
However, the study was conducted in rats, not humans, so scientists are not yet sure if it will have the same effect on humans.
8. May help with insect bites
Mosquito bites cause unbearable itching on the skin. Dr Marie Jhin told CNN that adding two cups of apple cider vinegar to a bathtub of water can help soothe itching if you are bitten too hard.
In any case, you should dilute the vinegar if you are going to rub a small amount of bites so as not to irritate the skin and make the situation worse.
9. Assistant in cleaning fresh vegetables and fruits
Nutritionist and professor at the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion at Arizona State University Carol Johnston advises washing vegetables and fruits with well-diluted apple cider vinegar. Simply spray the product with a pre-prepared vinegar-water solution and rinse with running water.
You won't notice the difference in taste if you rinse everything thoroughly.
There are also quite a few claims about apple cider vinegar that may be harmful rather than beneficial. Be extremely careful if you decide to try any of them.
Never use apple cider vinegar to whiten teeth or wash your toothbrush
You can often hear tips to whiten your teeth or rinse your toothbrush with apple cider vinegar. Be careful when following such advice. Apple cider vinegar is acidic and can erode tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. According to dentist Alice Bogosyan, it can also increase the sensitivity of the teeth and give them a yellowish tint.
Don't use apple cider vinegar for a sore throat
Again, some people confidently claim that drinking or gargling with apple cider vinegar is effective for a sore throat. But it is better to be careful in following this advice, after all, vinegar is an acid. Doctors have repeatedly had to help people with burns of the esophagus as a result of rinsing with undiluted apple cider vinegar. Do not forget to dilute it with water if you decide to "heal" this way.
Don't use vinegar if you have digestive problems
Suffering from stomach ulcers, people with disorders of the digestive system, it is better to refuse to use any kind of vinegar.
“I do not recommend using apple cider vinegar for patients with gastrointestinal conditions such as granulomatous enteritis, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome,” said Dr. Trattner. - People with gastrointestinal diseases should limit carbohydrates, which are poorly absorbed in the intestines and cause increased gas production and pain. (Australian physicians have developed a diet low in unwanted carbohydrate foods FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo-Di-Monosaccharides and Polyols).) All types of vinegars are not considered favorable products from the FODMAP diet and contribute to the additional formation of sugar in the intestinal lumen, which can aggravate problems with the gastrointestinal tract."
If you're unsure if vinegar is right for you or not, it's best to speak with a doctor, dietitian, or other qualified healthcare professional for further guidance and clarity.
Don't use vinegar on wounds
Apple cider vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties. This can explain the recommendations found on the Internet to wash the wounds with apple cider vinegar. But acid can burn, causing pain and irritation to the skin. “Therefore, simply washing the skin around the wound with antibacterial soap will give you the same effect, but without pain or other problems,” advises Dr. Johnston.