Latest news with #applecidervinegar
CNET
01-06-2025
- General
- CNET
4 Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits You May Not Know About
Though it's been used throughout history as medicine and for food preservation, apple cider vinegar is having a moment on social media. In the last few years, ACV has been lauded for its supposed health benefits, but is pouring yourself an ACV drink actually all you need to give your body a boost? While apple cider vinegar does offer some potential health benefits, it isn't a miracle cure. To find out exactly what ACV has to offer and its potential side effects, we spoke with registered dietitians for the full story. 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 : 25.71% 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."
Globe and Mail
19-05-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Reality check: Does apple cider vinegar have health benefits?
For centuries, apple cider vinegar has been used to treat a range of ills such as fever, coughs and colds. Today, social media influencers and celebrities praise the tart, sour-tasting liquid for its ability to detox the body, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, banish bloating, burn body fat, get rid of acne and more. Sounds too good to be true? There is reason to be skeptical about many of apple cider vinegar's health claims. For one or two, though, the evidence, while not robust, suggests it may be helpful. Here's what to know. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made by fermenting crushed apples with yeast, which turn the sugars into alcohol. A second fermentation then allows bacteria to convert the alcohol into acetic acid, the compound that gives vinegar its characteristic sour taste and smell. Pasteurized apple cider vinegar is heat-treated to kill bacteria and extend shelf life. Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is cloudy and contains the 'mother', a sediment of gut-healthy microbes. Apple cider vinegar is available as a liquid, and also as tablet and gummy supplements; studies have focused on the liquid form. Here's where the evidence stands on ACV's purported health and wellness benefits. A 2025 review of clinical trials involving 463 adults with type 2 diabetes concluded that taking one to two tablespoons of ACV daily for at least eight weeks significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c compared to placebo. (A hemoglobin A1c test measures your average blood sugar level over the previous three months.) Two earlier meta-analyses of mostly low-quality clinical trials conducted in adults with overweight, obesity and/or Type 2 diabetes found that taking ACV daily for up to 12 weeks improved fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol and blood triglycerides. However, these beneficial effects were limited to participants with Type 2 diabetes. There was no effect of ACV on LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. A clinical study from Iran involving 80 adults with Type 2 diabetes did find that, compared to the placebo treatment, taking two tablespoons of ACV daily for eight weeks significantly lowered LDL cholesterol. Bottom line: ACV may lower blood glucose in people with Type 2 diabetes. It's unclear, though, whether it's beneficial for high blood cholesterol. Acetic acid in ACV is thought to slow the rate that food empties from the stomach into the small intestine, causing a slower release and rise of glucose into the bloodstream. Acetic acid may also increase the body's ability to metabolize glucose and fats. Studies investigating the impact of ACV on weight loss are few, small in size and of short duration. A 2018 study found that taking one tablespoon of ACV twice daily for 12 weeks, while eating a calorie-restricted diet, reduced appetite and resulted in a modest weight loss compared to dieting alone. It was unclear, though, whether eating fewer calories or taking apple cider vinegar influenced the findings. A 2024 clinical study from Lebanon involving 120 participants, ages 12 to 25, who were overweight or living with obesity found that consuming one, two or three teaspoons of ACV daily for 12 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in body weight compared to placebo. Measures of fasting blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides also improved in the ACV group. Participants kept food diaries, but calorie and nutrient intakes weren't analyzed by the researchers. It's not known if participants changed the quantity or types of foods they ate during the study. Consuming acetic acid with a meal may increase satiety, possibly helping you consume fewer calories during the day. Even so, ACV is not a magic bullet for weight loss. There's no scientific evidence that ACV improves bloating, indigestion or acid reflux. It's possible that consuming unpasteurized ACV, a natural source of probiotics, can benefit gut health by increasing the diversity and richness of the gut microbiome. When it comes to clearing up acne, there's not enough reliable evidence to assess ACV's effectiveness. Ditto for using it topically to treat eczema or remove warts. ACV is considered safe when consumed in food amounts. It may, though, interact with some medications for diabetes and congestive heart failure, as well as certain diuretics. Consult your doctor before using ACV. Don't drink ACV straight. Its high acidity can irritate your throat and esophagus, worsen acid reflux and damage tooth enamel. Dilute one tablespoon of vinegar in eight ounces of water. Drink it before a meal once or twice a day. Or consume it as part of a meal in a vinaigrette salad dressing. Acetic acid isn't unique to ACV. All vinegars contain it; balsamic, red wine, white wine and distilled white vinegar can be a substitute for apple cider vinegar. Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based private practice dietitian, is director of food and nutrition at Medcan. Follow her on X @LeslieBeckRD
The Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The miracle £1.40 hack cleaning experts swear by to help give you streak-free windows this spring
A CLEANING expert has revealed a £1.40 hack to make your windows squeaky clean and streak free this spring. As temperatures continue to soar this week, you may have noticed that the sun has highlighted how grubby your windows are. 2 When scrubbing your windows, it can seem impossible to figure out a method that leaves them streak free. However, Nigel Bearman, expert cleaner at Daily Poppins has shared a simple solution, perfect for those keen to pinch pennies. The expert revealed that apple cider vinegar is guaranteed to leave your windows sparkling, and will set you back by just £1.40 a bottle. He said: "It has a much milder scent compared to regular vinegar, making it far more pleasant to use. " Its also incredibly effective at cutting through grime and leaving your windows streak free, without the harsh chemicals in commercial cleaners." To use this hack, Nigel recommends making a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution lightly on your windows, and then using a circular motion, rub your windows with a micro fibre cloth. Then go over the glass in a vertical or horizontal motion, to remove streaks. "For stubborn spots, apply a bit more vinegar to break down the grime more effectively," Nigel advised. The expert explains that apple cider vinegar works as an effective cleaner, as its acidity breaks down dirt and grime, without the harshness of commercial products. The €60 buy that will 'clear condensation in seconds' and it will leave your windows and tiles sparkling clean too Nigel added, that if your windows are extra grubby, you can add white vinegar to the solution, to cut through the grime more effectively. Raving about the benefits of apple cider vinegar, the expert added: "You can even use it around the house to clean other glass surfaces, mirrors, and even kitchen appliances. "It's also a great natural option for polishing stainless steel or removing hard water stains from shower doors." Mrs Hinch fans previously raved about another simple trick to clean windows - and it costs nothing. 5 cleaning hacks Say goodbye to ironing Don't have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Lenor 's Crease Releaser makes wrinkles vanish - simply hang up creased items, give them a quick spritz and smooth against a hard surface. Teabags for trainers When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours. Remove limescale without scrubbing When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. Streak-free mirrors and windows White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant. Make your home smell amazing For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing. Posting in the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group, one person asked: "Tips for cleaning windows please. "Mine always end up streaky and dirty looking." The post was flooded with helpful replies from Facebook users, and many people said the same thing. One person said: "If you have tumble dryer water use that, it's brilliant". Another person said: "If you have a condenser tumble dryer try the water out of it it's amazing." This hack only works if you have a condenser tumble dryer that collects water, but it's a great way to save water, instead of just throwing it away.
CNET
06-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Apple Cider Vinegar 101: Potential Health Benefits, Side Effects and Proper Dosage
Apple cider vinegar has become something of the go-to wellness trend in the last couple of years. People have taken to social media to wax poetic about the vinegar and its supposed health benefits. But despite what they might tell you, apple cider vinegar isn't anything new. Far from it, in fact. Apple cider vinegar has been used throughout history for medicinal and food preservation purposes. But is boosting your health really as simple as making yourself an apple cider vinegar drink? While it's true that apple cider vinegar does have some potential health benefits, it isn't the magic fix that many people claim that it is. We wanted to learn more about this trend, so we consulted registered dietitians to get to the bottom of things. Let's dive into the pros and cons of apple cider vinegar and how much you should have, if any at all. Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:24 Loaded : 100.00% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:24 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."
