The Many Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss and Beyond

We have all heard about apple cider vinegar and all of the millions of things it is said to do for the body.  In fact, there have been detailed accounts of its uses that date way back hundreds of years ago.  I always feel that those time tested remedies hold some real water.  The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates was said to use vinegar for wounds, croup, stomach pains, etc.  Vinegar can be made from any carb source that can be fermented … apples is one of my favorite.  Vinegar means “sour wine.”  There are so many uses for apple cider vinegar. I use it with all of my HCG Diet and weight loss patients to help manage any hunger and to serve as a blood cleanser.

Choosing the Best Apple Cider Vinegar

The purest of apple cider vinegar goes through a very slow fermentation process. The “mother” is a cluster of amino acids.  If vinegar is pasteurized or filtered the mother cannot grow.  Best to be sure your vinegar is kind of cloudy.  Besides being good for the body, vinegar can be used in house cleaning, gardening, etc.  Be sure your vinegar is unfiltered and contains the “mother.”  I love the Bragg’s raw apple cider vinegar.

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar for Health

Apple Cider Vinegar can be a great digestive tonic for the body.  For this, we recommend about 1 tbsp in water before meals.  For general health, many use 1-2 tbsp per day in water.  For patients with blood sugar issues, it is known that the acetic acid in vinegar may decrease blood sugar levels by decreasing carb absorption or helping cells to uptake blood sugar.  A recent study showed that 1-2 tbsp of ACV before bed helped lower am blood sugar readings by 6%.  Some animal studies have shown that the acids in vinegar could help to lower triglycerides and cholesterol in animal models.

In my own practice in facilitating the HCG Diet, I have seen clinical evidence of apple cider vinegar increasing satiety.  My patients also tell me it helps with energy and mental clarity!!!!   I also have patients use 1-2 tbsp of ACV daily if they are dealing with any congestion to help break up mucus.  If a patient has a sore throat, I prescribe a throat gargle of water, sea salt and ACV.  Topically, ACV also helps minor skin irritations.

Give it a try!!!  Go for 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in your water bottle and see what you think!

Weight Loss

Vinegar may help you lose weight, as it appears to have an anti-obesity effect by increasing satiety and reducing the total amount of food consumed.

For instance, when volunteers consumed a small amount of vinegar along with a high-carb meal (a bagel and juice) they consumed less food for the remainder of the day. The reduction equated to about 200 to 275 calories a day – an amount that would result in a monthly weight loss of up to 1.5 pounds.¹⁰

In addition, separate research found taking vinegar along with bread not only lowered glucose and insulin responses, but also increased levels of satiety. The rating of satiety was directly related to the acetic acid level in the vinegar.¹¹

Sinus Congestion

Apple cider vinegar helps to break up and reduce mucous in your body, helping to clear your sinuses. It also has antibacterial properties, making it useful for infections.

Sore Throat

The antibacterial properties in apple cider vinegar may be useful for sore throats as well. Gargle with a mixture of about one-third cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water as needed.

Digestion and Acid Reflux

Acid reflux typically results from having too little acid in your stomach. You can easily improve the acid content of your stomach by taking one tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water daily. The pectin in apple cider vinegar may also help to soothe intestinal spasms.

Skin Irritations

Apple cider vinegar works for a variety of skin ailments, from bug bites to poison ivy to sunburn. You can either apply it directly to the irritated area or try soaking in a bath with about one cup of vinegar added.

Warts

Topical application of apple cider vinegar may help remove warts, likely because of the high levels of acetic acid it contains. You can try soaking a cotton ball in vinegar and applying it to the wart, covered, overnight.

Energy Boost

Apple cider vinegar contains potassium and enzymes to help banish fatigue. Plus, its amino acids may help prevent the buildup of lactic acid in your body, further preventing fatigue.

Categories: Eating Well, Food Information, General Wellness, HCG Weight Loss, Weight Loss