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Last year I published the Why Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Is A Healthy Habit. This has been my most viewed health post and the one I get most questions on from readers. Based on the frequency and type of questions, I'm sharing with you How To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar. But before we get to drinking, here's a reminder on why drinking apple cider vinegar is a healthy habit.
Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits
Increases Immunity
Apple cider vinegar made from whole apples that are not pasteurized or filtered is a nutritional powerhouse. I recommend using this one. It contains an array of enzymes, antioxidants and micronutrients including Vitamins A, B, C, E, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. The antioxidants in particular help keep the immune system strong. If you're sick, apple cider vinegar can give your body the boost of micronutrients it needs to get well.
Supports Weight Loss
Vinegar slows stomach emptying which can help keep you from feeling hungry. It's also been shown to lower the glycemic index (the measure of how quickly a food spikes blood sugar) of foods which means it will slow the release of glucose in your body keeping your blood sugar more stable.
Improves Digestion
ACV has been shown to improve bloating and constipation. It contains pectin which is a naturally occurring soluble fiber. Most people are lacking fiber in their diet and a little apple cider vinegar can go a long with for keeping things moving along.
Apple cider vinegar also increase stomach acidity. Low stomach acid makes it more difficult to break down and digest foods. Many people who have been eating the standard American diet of processed foods and sugars have low stomach acidity. A small amount of apple cider vinegar can greatly improve this.
What Kind of Apple Cider Vinegar to Buy
Raw, organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar is what you should buy.
Adjusting to the Flavor of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is very sour and your taste buds will need time to adjust to it. Generally, the harder it is for you to swallow the more you need it in terms of balancing your body's pH levels and stomach acid. If this is the case for you, start with a small amount like 1-4 or 1/2 teaspoon and gradually work your way up to adding up to 1 teaspoon per serving in your diet.
How to Drink Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar should be consumed diluted in water or another liquid. Do not drink it on its own as the acid can ruin the enamel on your teeth.
Drink apple cider vinegar before each meal by diluting 1/2-1 teaspoon in a 8 ounces of water. You can also make an apple cider vinegar morning cocktail by adding 1/2 teaspoon in 4 ounces of lukewarm water in the morning when you get up. This is what I do and it really energizes me!
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a salad dressing by mixing 1/2-1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice. This is the salad dressing I make most frequently and love it.
Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar & Working Out
This is the question I get most frequently from readers. Apple cider vinegar can be consumed before or after a workout. It's really a question of how your stomach handles the acidity. I drink mine before my workouts in the morning and have no issues. If you're stomach is more sensitive, you may want to drink it after you workout to avoid GI distress.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar for You?
Unless you have too much stomach acid or a unique GI problem, apple cider vinegar cannot do you harm. As you can see, it offers many natural health benefits and it's such a simple thing to add to your daily routine. Whether you want to lose weight, maintain weight or train for an event, apple cider vinegar can only improve the status of your health.
Want more health supplements I recommend? Read this post!
Variety really is the spice of life isn't it KAT. Thanks for the awsome feedback!
How can I lose weight? I'm 65, on antidepressants, which has caused great weight gain that seems impossible to lose. Please help
Hi Cathy, you absolutely can lose weight. I free weight loss class. I recommend you watch that to get started. https://skinnyfitalicious.com/why-diets-fail-webinar/
I'm a skinny guy and also a slight underweight according to my age, i'm looking to gain weight.
I wanted to know if I consume ACV then how would it affect me? Can I consume it if want to gain weight, since ACV helps loose weight I have this question.
Apple cider vinegar doesn't help you lose or gain weight. The point of this post is that gut health is what boosts your absorption of key vitamins and minerals. Many people who need to lose or gain weight need to work on gut health in order to reach their goals. ACV helps improve gut health which is why it's a good habit for anyone to do.
Hi I just want to know if acv can help me to GAIN weight... I am under weight. I have poor digestive system. I easily get tired of eating. I am a picky eater as well. I have poor appetite please help me. I really want to gain weight, I did everything I could do.
Hi Anne, ACV will not help you gain weight. Eating more calories and healthy fat will!
Hi my name is Harshal Nagar and I am 28year old girl..my weight is 35 kg can I drink apple cider vinegar? I am also having acidity problem..and constipation problem..is it good to consume. Plz suggest me
As long as you can tolerate the acidity of it, there's not reason why you could not drink it.
How many times a day should you drink it? When using for weight loss?
There's nothing proven that it helps with weight loss. Most people who need to lose weight have leaky gut issues and need to bring inflammation down in their bodies to lose weight. To address the gut issue you should drink what I stated here and build up your tolerance over time.
I made apple vinegar myself at home and use it for almost everyday, especially for my salad. But I've never ever tried using it as a drink. I know that apple vinegar is very healthy, so maybe I will follow your intruction.
I was trying to do the morning cocktail but found I was having trouble consuming the ACV and a cup of coffee so close together before leaving the house in the morning, so I've started putting it in with my coffee in the mornings. I don't know if the coffee has any effect on the benefits or not, I hope not. But after the first couple times doing that, I kind of like the taste now. BTW, I get up about 4:30 in the morning and between getting myself ready for work and feeding the animals I am busy until I leave the house somewhere between 5:30 and 5:45 to go work out before work.
I don't think mixing the two is a problem as long as your stomach can handle it. It's a lot of acid. Whatever works best for you and your schedule! I also used to open a plastic bottle of water and drop a few teaspoons in it to drink on the way to work. It wasn't warmed, but it worked.
Hi there - does it matter if the cocktail's water is luke warm vs room temperature? thank you!
Not a huge difference. The warm water helps digest the enzymes better, but everyone is different in terms of stomach acid, digestibility, etc. I find it tastes better warmed.
I love drinking ACV!! I drink it upon waking and as you said, it does really energize me! I actually don't really measure how much I add, I kind of just pour and go, so sometimes its stronger than others but I kind of like that variety 😉
Same here Kat! It's such an easy thing to do add to your daily routine with so many health benefits.