There have been many lofty claims about the miraculous healing powers of apple cider vinegar, and many people do seem to be experiencing some health benefits. However, many of the claims are overstated, or simply unfounded.

Some proponents of apple cider vinegar claim it can cure everything from diabetes to acid reflux, to warts, cancer, arthritis, athlete’s foot, halitosis, high cholesterol, gout, poison oak, urinary tract infections, and even head lice!

Latest Research Findings on Vinegar and Diabetes

There has been little research about using vinegar for therapeutic health purposes, which is a common problem for many natural and alternative therapies.

The most researched and the most promising of apple cider vinegar’s benefits are in the area of type 2 diabetes. Several studies have found that vinegar may help lower blood glucose levels.

In 2004, a study involving 29 people cited in the American Diabetes Foundation’s publication Diabetes Care found that taking vinegar before meals significantly increased insulin sensitivity and dramatically reduced the insulin and glucose spikes that occur after meals.

A follow-up study yielded an unexpected finding: moderate weight loss. In this study, participants taking 2 tablespoons of vinegar prior to two meals per day lost an average of two pounds over the 4-week period, and some lost up to four pounds.

Although the research to date looks favorable, more studies are needed to confirm the extent of vinegar’s insulin stabilization benefits.

Vinegar and Blood Pressure

There is far less research exploring vinegar and heart health. In 2006, 2 rat studies showed that vinegar could lower cholesterol & blood pressure in laboratory rats.  However, these results do not necessarily apply to people.  Some research on humans is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

Possible Cancer Combatant

There is some positive preliminary research suggesting apple cider vinegar can help prevent cancer. A few laboratory studies have found that vinegar may be able to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. However, epidemiological studies of people have yielded confusing results.

How Does it Work?

Standard nutritional analyses of apple cider vinegar show that there is hardly any nutrient in it.  So, what can explain this mysteriously beneficial elixir?

One thing that apple cider vinegar is high in is acetic acid. Like other acids, acetic acid can increase your body’s absorption of important minerals from the foods you eat. Therefore, it is possible that drinking a mild tonic of vinegar and water just before meals might improve your body’s ability to absorb the essential minerals locked in foods. Apple cider vinegar might help you get more out of your leafy greens!

How can apple cider vinegar help regulate your insulin?

One theory is that it might activate some of the digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates into sugar, thus slowing absorption of sugar from a meal into your bloodstream. This gives your body more time to pull sugar out of your blood, preventing your sugar levels from spiking.

Which Apple Cider Vinegar to Buy?

You want organic, unfiltered, unprocessed apple cider vinegar, which is murky and brown (not crystal clear!).

How Should Apple Cider Vinegar be Used?

There are no official guidelines about taking vinegar internally. Some people take one to two teaspoons a day, mixed in a glass of water or juice, before meals or in the morning.  The risk of taking small amounts of apple cider vinegar seems low (do be careful if you have gastric issues or stomach ulcers).

Apple cider vinegar makes a delightful salad dressing. You can even make a vinegar-based coleslaw instead of the usual mayonnaise-based one. It is good on fish as well and serves as a great tenderizing marinade for meat, giving it a bit of zing. And it’s tasty drizzled over cooked greens.

If you are taking it medicinally, there are some things to keep in mind:

·         Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, which is quite harsh. You should always dilute it with water or juice before swallowing. Pure, straight apple cider vinegar could damage your tooth enamel or the tissues of your mouth and throat.

·         Long-term excessive use could cause low potassium levels and lower bone density.

·         Apple cider vinegar could theoretically interact with diuretics, laxatives, and medicines for diabetes and heart disease.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Cleaning?

Vinegar is one of the best natural agents for removing certain pesticides and bacteria from your fresh produce.  But you don’t need apple cider vinegar for this -- any basic white vinegar will do, and it’s cheaper!

A solution of 10 % vinegar to 90 % water can be used to briefly soak your veggeis or fruit. Swish it around, and rinse thoroughly (not for fragile fruits like berries).

Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a natural hair care product. Its acidity is close to that of human hair; it’s a good conditioner and cleaning agent.  

Vinegar is a great, all around cleaning agent for everything from countertops to windows.

Obviously, we need a great deal more research to investigate vinegar’s full healing potential. While it is not likely an all-encompassing miracle cure, it can certainly be useful in a variety of ways, for a variety of conditions.

[Extracted from Dr Mercola’s article]