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People Are Sharing The One Thing They Stopped Doing That Instantly Made Their Lives A Million Times Better, And I'm About To Try Them

People Are Sharing The One Thing They Stopped Doing That Instantly Made Their Lives A Million Times Better, And I'm About To Try Them

Yahoo4 days ago
Sometimes, life doesn't get better by adding something — it gets better by letting go. When u/Same-Tea1899 asked, "What's one thing you stopped doing that instantly made your life better?" people shared the surprisingly small habits, mindsets, and toxic patterns they let go of that completely transformed their well-being. Here's what they had to say:
1."I stopped lying to myself. I accepted that there are things about me that had to be changed. I accepted the fact that I believed some things that were harming me. I accepted the fact that I had made mistakes. I can't explain the relief of being able to look at myself in the mirror and say, 'You messed up bad, but you can learn from your mistakes and move on and try not to mess up anymore. You're not perfect and that's cool, just try to be better going forward.'"
—u/fazlez1
Related:
2."Not sleeping. I used to pull all-nighters regularly. I probably spent the better part of the last two decades constantly sleep-deprived. Forget that. I sleep now. I don't care what urgent matters there are and what demons are whispering in my ears — I check out, even if it takes a bit of help with meds. It has improved my quality of life by several orders of magnitude."
—u/ooOJuicyOoo
3."People-pleasing."
—u/VelvetMousse1
4."Waiting for someone to join to experience something."
—u/Feeling_Investment16
5."Not exercising at all. Exercising makes me feel much better in general."
—u/Ben5544477
6."Overthinking texts before sending them."
—u/[deleted]
"Mine is more the opposite, at least with comments and posts online. I'll type something and think, 'Do I really want to start this fight?' Then I just delete it. I don't have time or patience to explain to people why they're wrong."
—u/ThePastJack
Related:
7."Doomscrolling every moment I pick up the phone. Gone from four hours of daily phone use to two hours. Still some work to be done, but feeling much better."
—u/Consistent_Prize_253
8."I went no contact with a toxic narcissist relative."
—u/nellnober
9."Trying to manage other people's happiness. I am an adult. The people around me are adults. It's their job to tell me if they're upset, not my job to sense their mood changes and react before they get mad. They're grown adults — they can speak up if they're upset."
—u/lucue_
10."Eating a terrible diet."
—u/noir_lord
Related:
11."I kicked a 14-year opioid habit. I'm 2.5 years off. Whether it's pills, booze, sex, drugs...addiction is so hard. Those asking for advice: find an 'anchor.' My anchor is my husband and child. They keep me tethered to reality and sobriety because I want them to be proud of me (and they are, of course). I know how hard addiction is, and I am so proud of the fighters and survivors and the success stories. Keep fighting!"
"Quitting and sobriety are intense and sometimes seem impossible, but y'all are out here killing this! The more of us that tell our sobriety stories, the more hope it gives to other addicts."
—u/luckykricket
12."I had a friend who was definitely a bad influence. Had to walk away from them."
—u/Bland_cracker
13."Stop overanalyzing what people say to me."
—u/Deep_Investigator
14."Deleted Facebook."
—u/Petty_Paw_Printz
15."Stopped smoking."
—u/Quiet_Answer9363
Related:
16."Not saving money. Once I get my salary, I take out 1,000 (of my currency) and split it into two accounts — one for long-term savings and one for emergency savings. Seeing the amount grow over time and seeing that I have backup money really, really soothes my heart."
—u/KazakiriKaoru
17."Quit drinking alcohol."
—u/wastemydayaway
18."I quit worrying about my neighbors seeing me embarrass myself while I work on my garden in the front yard."
—u/MissMcNoodle
19."Smoking weed. Turns out what I thought was making me happier was driving me deeper into depression and exacerbating mental illness. Who knew? 600 days clean today."
—u/mindman1515
20."I stopped holding in my anger and blowing up at random times. Now, I just express what I'm angry about instead of invalidating the feeling. Instead of suppressing it, shoving it down, and slowly turning it into resentment."
—u/Mini-Heart-Attack
Have you cut something out of your life that made everything better? Let us know what you stopped doing that changed your life for the better in the comments — you never know who it might help!
Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
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14 Silent Patterns That Lead To Divorce Faster Than Cheating
14 Silent Patterns That Lead To Divorce Faster Than Cheating

Yahoo

time30 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

14 Silent Patterns That Lead To Divorce Faster Than Cheating

When people think about the silent killers of marriage, cheating usually tops the list. Yet, there are subtler, insidious patterns that erode the bond between partners more quietly but just as destructively. These patterns, often overlooked because they're not as flashy as infidelity, can be just as detrimental to a healthy relationship. Let's explore some of these lesser-known but highly impactful dynamics that can end a marriage even faster than an affair. Poor communication can create a breeding ground for misunderstandings and disagreements. When you and your partner aren't effectively sharing your thoughts and feelings, it's easy for misinterpretations to occur. This can lead to assumptions and judgments that might not have any basis in reality, fostering unnecessary conflict. Often, people aren't aware that their communication style is an issue until tensions have reached a boiling point. Developing better communication habits can take time, but it's crucial for preventing miscommunication from harming your relationship. Moreover, poor communication isn't just about arguing or fighting. It also includes the absence of meaningful dialogue, such as not checking in with each other or sharing important news. Without these exchanges, partners can start to feel like strangers over time. This disconnect can lead to feelings of loneliness and alienation, even when you're physically together. By initiating open and honest conversations, you can begin to bridge this gap and strengthen your bond. You might think that avoiding conflict is keeping the peace, but in reality, it's setting the stage for unresolved issues to fester. When you and your partner sweep disagreements under the rug, those issues don't go away; they just linger in the background, waiting to resurface. Licensed marriage counselor Dr. John Gottman points out that avoiding conflict can lead to resentment, as emotional needs remain unmet. Over time, this can build a barrier between you, making meaningful communication feel impossible. What starts as an effort to keep things calm might end up creating an emotional chasm. This habit of avoidance can also lead to a lack of intimacy. When you're not addressing problems, you're not learning how to resolve them together, which is a cornerstone of a strong partnership. It also means you're not learning about each other's evolving needs and desires. The lack of deep conversations can lead to a feeling of detachment and loneliness, even when you're together. Ultimately, avoiding conflict is a temporary solution that often leads to permanent damage. Emotional withdrawal often begins subtly, with one partner starting to distance themselves from the other. This can manifest as spending less time together, sharing less about your day, or losing interest in each other's passions. When you withdraw emotionally, you deny your partner the connection and support that a relationship needs to thrive. It's not just about being physically present; it's about being emotionally engaged and available. Over time, this pattern can leave the other person feeling isolated and unloved. Many people don't recognize emotional withdrawal as a problem until too late. It can be easy to rationalize these behaviors as just being busy or needing personal space. However, when emotional withdrawal becomes a trend, it can signal deeper issues that need addressing. If left unchecked, it can lead to a breakdown in communication and trust. Rebuilding these lost connections requires effort and a willingness to be vulnerable, which can be challenging once emotional distance has set in. Taking your partner for granted is a surefire way to erode the foundation of your relationship. When you stop appreciating each other, the little gestures that once felt special can start to seem obligatory or expected. Dr. Gary Chapman, author of "The Five Love Languages," emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and expressing gratitude, as it reinforces the bond between partners. Feeling unappreciated often leads to dissatisfaction and can make staying in the relationship seem less appealing. This lack of gratitude can slowly chip away at the love and respect you have for each other. Moreover, when appreciation is absent, negativity can easily take its place. Complaints may start to outweigh compliments, and partners can begin to focus more on each other's flaws than strengths. Over time, this negativity can become a habitual way of interacting, making it difficult to see the positive aspects of your partner. By making a conscious effort to express gratitude regularly, you can help prevent this negative pattern from taking root. Remembering to appreciate both the big and small things can reignite a sense of connection and joy. Neglecting your relationship often happens slowly and can be challenging to recognize until it's too late. Life's demands—whether it's work, kids, or other responsibilities—can overshadow time and energy spent on nurturing your connection. Research published in the Journal of Marriage and Family highlights how couples who actively prioritize their relationship often report higher satisfaction. If you don't make a conscious effort to keep the relationship alive, it can quickly become stale and routine. Before long, this lack of attention can lead to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. Moreover, neglecting your relationship doesn't just hurt your partner; it affects you as well. When you ignore the partnership, you miss out on the joy and fulfillment it can bring to your life. The lack of effort can become a habit, making it seem normal to live parallel lives rather than a shared one. Reversing this pattern requires a conscious choice to make time for each other, even when it feels inconvenient. By scheduling regular date nights or simply spending quality time together, you can reignite the spark that brought you together in the first place. Financial stress is a common but often silent strain on relationships. Money issues can cause tension, arguments, and even resentment between partners. When financial stress goes unaddressed, it can create a sense of instability and insecurity that seeps into all areas of life. It's not always about the lack of money; sometimes, differing financial priorities or habits are the root of the problem. Without open discussions about finances, assumptions and miscommunications can easily arise. 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Whether it's career aspirations, family planning, or lifestyle choices, not being on the same page can create a disconnect. This can make it challenging to work towards a shared future, as each person's priorities pull them in different directions. Moreover, differing life goals can lead to resentment if one partner feels they are sacrificing their dreams for the other. Over time, this can create feelings of bitterness that are difficult to overcome. It's essential to have open discussions about your goals and find compromises that honor both partners' aspirations. By doing so, you can create a shared vision for the future and prevent these differences from driving a wedge between you. Working together towards common objectives can strengthen your relationship and ensure that both partners feel valued and understood. Unresolved past issues can act like a heavy weight on your relationship. These may include past arguments, misunderstandings, or even issues from previous relationships that were never fully addressed. When past grievances linger, they can resurface during new disagreements, making conflict resolution challenging. It's easy to bring up old wounds when you're upset, but this often leads to further arguments rather than resolution. This cycle of rehashing past issues can create a toxic environment where neither partner feels heard or valued. Leaving past issues unresolved can also block future growth. When you carry emotional baggage into the present, it can prevent you from moving forward as a couple. This stunted growth can lead to frustration and create a sense of being stuck in the same place. For a relationship to thrive, it's crucial to address and resolve past grievances so that they don't continue to influence the present. By doing so, you can clear the path for a healthier, more constructive relationship. 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By prioritizing physical affection, you can help maintain a strong emotional connection and keep your relationship healthy. Constant criticism can wear down even the strongest relationships over time. When one or both partners frequently focus on the other's flaws or mistakes, it can create a toxic environment. This pattern often leads to defensiveness and resentment, making it difficult to have productive conversations. Instead of working together to solve problems, partners may find themselves in a constant state of conflict. This can make the relationship feel more like a battleground than a supportive partnership. Additionally, constant criticism can erode self-esteem and confidence. When someone is frequently criticized, they may begin to internalize these negative messages, leading to feelings of inadequacy. This can create a vicious cycle where the criticized partner becomes less inclined to communicate openly or take initiatives within the relationship. To break this cycle, it's crucial to shift the focus from criticism to understanding and support. By fostering a more positive and constructive environment, you can help your relationship thrive. Ignoring your partner's emotional needs can create a significant rift in your relationship. Everyone has specific needs for love, validation, and support, and when these go unmet, it can lead to feelings of neglect. Over time, this neglect can result in emotional detachment, where partners feel like they are merely coexisting rather than truly connecting. It's essential to actively engage with your partner's emotional needs and make an effort to meet them. By doing so, you reinforce the bond and ensure that both of you feel valued and understood. Failing to address emotional needs can also trigger other relationship issues. It can lead to arguments, misunderstandings, and a lack of intimacy, as one or both partners feel unappreciated. When emotional needs are ignored, partners may seek fulfillment outside the relationship, either consciously or unconsciously. This can be a slippery slope toward further complications and potential infidelity. By being attentive to each other's emotional needs, you can help create a more supportive and fulfilling relationship. Holding grudges is like carrying a weight that gets heavier over time. When you hold onto past wrongs, it can prevent you from truly forgiving and moving forward. This can create a cycle of resentment and bitterness, making it difficult to address new issues constructively. In a relationship, holding grudges can lead to frequent arguments and a lack of trust, as past grievances are brought up repeatedly. This prevents both partners from experiencing true healing and closure. Moreover, grudges can overshadow the positive aspects of the relationship. When you're focused on past wrongs, it becomes challenging to appreciate the good things your partner brings into your life. This can make the relationship feel more negative than it truly is, eroding the love and connection you once shared. Letting go of grudges involves both partners working towards forgiveness and understanding. By releasing past grievances, you can create a more positive and harmonious relationship. Failing to manage your time effectively can have serious repercussions on your relationship. When work, hobbies, and other commitments consistently take precedence over your partnership, it can lead to feelings of neglect. Partners may start to feel like they are not a priority, which can lead to dissatisfaction and resentment. Over time, this can create a sense of distance and alienation, making it difficult to maintain a strong connection. It's crucial to balance your commitments and ensure that quality time together is a consistent priority. Poor time management can also exacerbate other issues, such as stress and poor communication. When you're constantly busy, it leaves little room for meaningful conversations or resolving conflicts. This can lead to a cycle where problems go unaddressed, further straining the relationship. To prevent time mismanagement from damaging your relationship, it's essential to be intentional about scheduling time for each other. By prioritizing your relationship, you can help ensure it remains strong and fulfilling, even amidst life's demands. A lack of shared activities can contribute to a sense of disconnection in your relationship. When partners stop doing things together, it can lead to a feeling of living separate lives. This can be particularly damaging if those activities were once a significant part of your relationship. Sharing hobbies or interests fosters a sense of camaraderie and partnership, helping to strengthen the bond between you. Without these shared experiences, the relationship can start to feel more like a roommate situation than a romantic partnership. Moreover, the absence of shared activities can lead to a lack of excitement and novelty. Over time, this can make the relationship feel stagnant and unfulfilling. It's important to continually seek out new experiences and activities that you can enjoy together. By doing so, you create opportunities for growth and connection, keeping the relationship dynamic and engaging. Remember, spending quality time together doesn't have to be elaborate; even simple activities can help maintain a strong and healthy connection.

People Who Have Been Diagnosed With Cancer Are Revealing The "Shocking" Signs You Should Never Ignore
People Who Have Been Diagnosed With Cancer Are Revealing The "Shocking" Signs You Should Never Ignore

Yahoo

time34 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

People Who Have Been Diagnosed With Cancer Are Revealing The "Shocking" Signs You Should Never Ignore

Cancer can sadly affect anyone and everyone, and the signs of cancer being present in the body can vary. Recently, Redditor u/TheFranKiwi asked people in the Reddit community who were diagnosed with cancer to share the symptoms they were experiencing or feeling that ultimately made them visit the doctor, and it's incredibly eye-opening: 1."I had a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck. There was zero pain, but I noticed it while shaving. My doctor put me on antibiotics, but a week later, there was still no change. I got a biopsy, and voila: cancer. Four surgeries, 33 radiation treatments, and six chemo treatments later, and I am getting CAT scans and PT scans this week to hopefully show that I am disease-free." —Practical_Volume_681 Related: 2."Unbelievable fatigue. The kind that just knocks you to the ground. I'd be trying to make dinner, and I'd sit on the kitchen floor crying because I was so tired. I could sleep all day and never feel energized. I had pain where my ovaries were, and I felt full even if I barely ate. I also had strange bleeding between periods. I had ovarian and cervical cancer." —Angelicfyre 3."Mine was absolutely nothing, which is why it was scary. Someone told me that my neck looked big, so I thought it'd be best for me to get it checked. My wife is a doctor, so she had many doctor friends who all told me it was probably some benign thyroid hypertrophy. Nope. At 25, I had thyroid cancer. I'm 40 now and thriving." —Brynhild 4."My words and memory got weird, I wobbled sometimes when I walked, and I got headaches. My initial thought is that, with my age and symptoms, I had multiple sclerosis. Bam: I had a brain tumor, which happened to be brain cancer/temporal lobe epilepsy. It's not all the way gone. I'm on my second recurrence, but I'm still alive." —Emergency_Formal9064 5."I had a weird, small patch of dry skin on the end of my nose. Every now and again, after a shower, I'd peel the top off, and it'd bleed. I thought it was weird, but didn't look into it until I had an accident and broke my nose. I saw a skin specialist who spotted the dry patch and referred a biopsy. A bunch of surgeries later, I'm free of skin cancer." —watchingonsidelines 6."I had blood in my poop, loose poops, and pain in my butt for a year or so. I got a colonoscopy and got diagnosed with Stage 3C rectal cancer. I'm just starting treatment now." —raptorboy Related: 7."Long story short: I had a routine colonoscopy that led to the discovery of a rare cancer. I've said this before, but don't avoid any routine screenings recommended by your doctor. If I hadn't had mine, I would be dead. Now, I'm cancer-free and doing fine." —DirectAccountant3253 8."My gallbladder was filling with stones, and I was on the waitlist for surgery. When visiting my doctor after an attack, I told them that every time after I had one, the lymph nodes on my neck would engorge. Five minutes later, we established that I actually didn't know where my neck lymph nodes were, and before I knew it, I had a referral to check for thyroid cancer." —Superb-Ad3821 9."I felt a lump in my abdomen, but only when I was relaxed and lying down. I went to get it checked out; I got an ultrasound and biopsy, and the lump showed up to be a large metastatic melanoma. So, if you notice something strange in your body, go and get it checked out!" —paul-SF 10."I'm cancer-free now, but my main symptom was coughing blood and a persistent cough. I was a smoker, so I wrote it off as a smokers cough for over a year and didn't both going to the doctor about it until the blood got really irregular. Turns out I had a rare type of hormone-related tumor on my lung called a neuroendocrine carcinoid that had absolutely nothing to do with smoking. Luckily, I was treated with surgery only, so I had my right lung taken out in 2023, and that was the end of it." —Majick_L Related: 11."I was ready to have sex with my boyfriend for the first time. I went to Planned Parenthood to get set up. During the pelvic exam, the nurse asked me if I was sure that I'd never had sex. I hadn't! She told me to go to the doctor and get tested. I was unsure at first, but decided to go. The nurse was SO serious about it that she called me that afternoon and daily for three days to make sure I understood that I had to be seen. I went to the doctor to have imaging done, and they found a massive tumor in my intestines. Life changed. I'm all better now!" —CinnyToastie 12."After I'd lightly run my fingers through my beard, I'd see a smear of blood on my fingers. My primary care doctor referred me to a dermatologist who cut a basal cell carcinoma off my face. Basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads, so the hope was that no further treatment was needed. Eight years later, I felt a small skin bump in the same area. I went to the dermatologist to get it checked. It was fine, but she asked me to take my shirt off for a skin check since I was already there. It took less than five seconds for the doctor to note that there was something that didn't look good on my shoulder. I got it biopsied, and it was melanoma. Get your skin checked, folks. Find it early and get it removed, and your odds are excellent." —Temporary_Linguist 13."I just had an odd little tickle in my throat. I thought I might have had a chip from some dental work that created a cyst, but it turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil. I'm about four years since finishing treatment now, and everything looks good." —beowolff 14."Constantly having to pee. I went in for a CT, and they found a 14-centimeter tumor on my left ovary." —BobsleddingToMyGrave 15."There was a hard area on my left breast. It caught my attention in the shower. It wasn't a defined lump, but it was noticeably hard to the touch than the rest of the breast. I was diagnosed with Stage 2, Grade 3, triple negative breast cancer. Guys, gals, and non-binary pals, please check your chest. All genders have breast tissue. I was 34, so don't let any doctor tell you you're too young for cancer. You know what's normal for your body. If something isn't normal, advocate for yourself!" —TNBCisABitch Related: 16."I actually went to get an MRI because I had a mass growing on the side of my head. I swear, it was like it grew overnight. It looked like it was just a benign bone tumor called osteoma, but when I got the scan back, surprise! I had brain cancer. It was a golf ball-sized, Grade 2, solitary fibrous tumor. I had a craniotomy in 2023, but I've had two recurrences in under a year. Radiation and all that fun stuff. I'm currently in limbo as I await my next scan. Fingers crossed that we zap this thing!" —liquid_skies_ 17."I had a cold that took a long time to go away, and at one point, I noticed that my left side was a little swollen. I immediately considered having mono, since I know that can cause your spleen to swell. I booked a doctor appointment and got tested. The result came back negative, but they found that my white blood cell count was 30,000 times what it was supposed to be. Turns out, I had chronic myelogenous leukemia (also known as chronic myeloid leukemia). My spleen was swollen from it, though. The good news is that it's one of the 'best' leukemias to have. I just take a pill every day, and my life expectancy is basically exactly the same as any random person. Here I am 14 years later to prove it. If I hadn't treated it, I would've been dead within five years." —brosacea 18."My face and neck got very swollen, and I thought at first I was just gaining weight. What finally motivated me to go to the doctor was that I started developing unexplained bruises on my chest and started having trouble breathing. Turned out, I had a huge tumor in my chest that had grown around my heart and restricting blood flow to my head. That was 17 years ago. Now, while I have some lung and hearing damage from the chemo, I'm otherwise fine." —eskimospy212 "I had a nine-month 'period' that was incredibly heavy, so I got an ultrasound of my uterus. I found out I had an endometrial tumor. I was given progesterone for about a year, then they removed my uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, etc. I had a Stage 1, Grade 1 tumor. About three months later, I had some additional bleeding and learned I had a recurrence at the surgical site. I then experienced the joy of pelvic radiation. I got a clean scan in April, and now I'm just 'waiting and seeing,' trying not to live in fear of a return. I'm definitely getting my checks for other cancers, and I'm grateful that the tumor was discovered so early. Get your checks, y'all!" —vvvy1978 If you were diagnosed with cancer, what are the signs or symptoms you experienced that ultimately made you see go see a doctor? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your story using the form below. Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity. Also in Goodful: Also in Goodful: Also in Goodful:

Apple Cider Vinegar: Dosage, Benefits and Key Precautions You Should Know
Apple Cider Vinegar: Dosage, Benefits and Key Precautions You Should Know

CNET

timean hour ago

  • CNET

Apple Cider Vinegar: Dosage, Benefits and Key Precautions You Should Know

You've probably heard about apple cider vinegar, likely from a friend, the news or on social media. It's been growing in popularity for some time now, and people are making themselves ACV-based drinks to try and reap some of its health benefits. Historically, apple cider vinegar has been used as a medicine and food preservative, but that doesn't mean it's a miracle cure. We spoke to the experts to get to the bottom of what apple cider vinegar can and cannot do. Here's what they had to say. Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 1:32 Loaded : 38.57% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 1:32 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks What is apple cider vinegar? When you combine apples, sugar and yeast and allow it to ferment, it creates apple cider vinegar. Over several weeks, the yeast will digest the sugar to make alcohol. Once this happens, natural bacteria will turn the alcohol into acetic acid, which gives apple cider vinegar its pungent odor and taste. You have two options when you buy apple cider vinegar: filtered and pasteurized, or raw and unfiltered. The cloudy sediment that collects in the bottom of the bottle is "the mother," which is a combination of bacteria and yeast. Some speculate that the mother is what provides the health benefits, as it contains trace amounts of healthy bacteria and probiotics. Apple cider vinegar can be used in the kitchen, around the home and for your health as a: Cleaner Dandruff treatment Denture cleaner Deodorizer Dressing or vinaigrette Facial toner Fruit and vegetable wash Hair rinse Marinade Mouthwash Preservative Weed killer Anna Gragert/CNET 4 potential apple cider vinegar health benefits Although more research is needed, several small and medium-sized studies show the benefits of apple cider vinegar for some health issues and as a potential weight loss aid. 1. May help control blood sugar and diabetes Up to 95% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes occurs from insulin resistance, which is "when cells in the body don't respond properly to insulin, which leads to increased levels of sugar or glucose in the blood," according to Amelia Ti, a registered dietitian and diabetes educator in NYC. Even if you don't have diabetes, it's best to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range. Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can improve insulin response and lower blood sugar levels after meals. Consuming apple cider vinegar before going to sleep has also been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar after waking. Make sure to talk with your doctor before consuming ACV if you have diabetes, especially if you're on medication because of potential side effects. "ACV alone will not lower blood sugar levels and should not be considered a substitute for diabetes medications," Ti said. 2. Kills harmful bacteria Those looking to preserve food naturally may want to consider using apple cider vinegar. It is a known pathogen killer, which includes microbes like staph and candida. Vinegar is a popular preservative in Korea because it can prevent E. coli and norovirus from growing in food. E. coli can cause food poisoning when consumed but the bactericidal effects of the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can prevent it from occurring. 3. Could lead to weight loss Another benefit of apple cider vinegar that may be useful is its ability to help with weight loss. When taken before or during a meal, ACV has been shown to help with satiety (the feeling of fullness). In one study, participants ate approximately 200 to 275 fewer calories when apple cider vinegar was combined with a meal. In three months, participants taking one to two tablespoons of ACV per day saw up to 3.7 pounds in weight loss and a reduction in body fat. 4. Might improve cholesterol levels High cholesterol and triglyceride levels can increase your risk of heart disease. Incorporating up to an ounce of apple cider vinegar into your day, along with a lower-calorie diet, may reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides while also increasing HDL "good" cholesterol. Those with type 2 diabetes may also see positive results on their total cholesterol and triglyceride levels when adding a half ounce of ACV to their diet. Potential apple cider vinegar side effects Although there are benefits of apple cider vinegar use, there are also potential side effects to consider. The high acidity can strip tooth enamel, which won't come back once it's gone. If you drink it undiluted, it may cause damage to your esophagus or throat. Here are some other potential side effects of apple cider vinegar: Can cause esophageal (throat) burns or ulcers when consumed in excess Can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels) Can cause nausea or vomiting Can interact with diuretics, insulin and other medications Can weaken tooth enamel Watering it down with water or juice not only makes ACV more palatable but it can also reduce the risk of damaging your throat and teeth. Combining one or two tablespoons with either may also cure an upset stomach. Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian nutritionist, also advises, "It's important to remember that no one food is a silver bullet. If you choose to incorporate apple cider vinegar, do so safely and with a focus on maintaining a balanced whole diet for your overall health and well-being." How much apple cider vinegar should you drink daily? Apple cider vinegar dosage depends on the reason you're using it. In general, Ti says, "I recommend 1 teaspoon to tablespoon ACV diluted in 6-8 ounces of warm water before meals." If you want to drink it, dilute it with water or your favorite juice or tea. You can also eat it by incorporating it in your favorite foods, especially dressings, vinaigrettes and even when making your own mayonnaise. There are also premade apple cider vinegar drinks, which may make ACV more pleasant to taste. You can find these drinks from brands such as Bragg, Poppi, Remedy and Sidekick Sodas. Local health stores and even grocery stores may carry these, so keep an eye out if you're interested in apple cider vinegar drinks. You can also add a cup or two to a bath for skin issues. Mixing a tablespoon of ACV with a cup of water, and then soaking gauze or cotton in the solution can make a wet wrap. To use apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse, combine up to two tablespoons with a cup of water, then pour over the hair after shampooing. Wait five minutes, then rinse. It can be drying, so use it sparingly. ACV can also irritate the scalp, so a weaker dilution may be better. Annick Vanderschelden/Moment/Getty Images The bottom line Some studies have found the benefits of apple cider vinegar but we need more research to definitively prove how beneficial it is. It may help with weight loss, controlling type 2 diabetes, blood sugar and cholesterol and it can also prevent harmful bacteria growth on foods. Drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar can cause tooth enamel erosion or throat damage. Mixing ACV with water or juice before consuming it can prevent damage to the teeth and throat. As with any natural remedy, speak with your doctor before trying apple cider vinegar and do a skin test before using it on your skin. "Remember that the advantages of adopting an overall healthy lifestyle (e.g. nutritious and balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular physical activity/movement, good sleep, stress management, etc.) are far greater than those of any single food, drink, or supplement," Ti said. "There is no quick fix and ACV is definitely not a miracle solution."

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