You might have heard one of your health enthusiast friends or colleagues talk about Apple Cider Vinegar for weight loss or may have come across the name while browsing through the internet.
Over the past few years, Apple cider has gained tremendous popularity among people but its existence regresses to the ancient times when it was widely used as a health remedy.
Read on to know more about this miraculous potion and how it can be used for weight loss.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar or ACV is made from fermented apples, water, bacteria, and yeast. The yeast converts the sugar into alcohol through a process called fermentation. The bacteria then turn the alcohol into acetic acid, which is a main active ingredient in vinegar and is considered to provide all the benefits including weight loss.
The Best ACVs – “With the Mother”
There are many types of Apple Cider Vinegar available in the market but the raw, unpasteurized, or unfiltered ones are considered the finest of all. This type of ACV contains a cloud of beneficial yeast and bacteria that are left behind during the fermentation process, and usually settle at the bottom of the bottle. This cloudy sediment is considered as a great probiotic which boosts your digestive health and supports weight loss.
The stark fact is that Apple Cider Vinegar does not look that appealing and also its taste is nowhere even close to your favorite drink! However, considering the plethora of benefits that it offers, you would surely overlook these things ☺
Let us first focus on how ACV can help you with your weight loss regime.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss
Starting with the nutritional facts, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of Apple Cider Vinegar comprises of almost zero calories, making it a calorie-free drink for boosting weight loss!
The Acetic acid present in Apple Cider Vinegar is considered as a natural appetite suppressant and is also known to promote fullness. So, consuming it 30 minutes before meals prevents you from overindulging in them, and as a result, you end up consuming fewer calories which bring your weight loss figures on a hike.
Furthermore, ACV is a great metabolism booster and supports digestion. Metabolism directly affects how quickly our bodies lose or gain weight, and a slow metabolism hinders weight loss. Wondering how to speed up your metabolism? Apple cider is here to the rescue! The organic acid and enzymes present in it stimulate metabolism that in turn help the body burn fat more easily.
As per a recent study, people who consumed ACV before meals attained higher levels of satiety and ended up consuming around 250-300 fewer calories in a day compared to the other people.
Supporting this study, I would like to share my personal experience as well. When I got to know about Apple Cider Vinegar, I started taking a spoonful diluted in water before meals and continued this routine for 3 months. I was taken by surprise as it actually showed phenomenal results!
After just 2 weeks, I could notice that the bloating around my abdomen had started reducing and I had started to feel lighter. Also, during meals, I used to end up feeling full with much lesser portions. Here comes the best part, when I gauged my weight after 3 months, it had dipped by almost 9 pounds(4 kgs)!
So, if you had been wondering of taking Apple Cider Vinegar for weight loss then, think no more!
Other Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Weight loss is just the tip of the iceberg, there are various other flabbergasting health benefits that Apple Cider Vinegar offers.
Helps in lowering blood sugar levels and managing diabetes
Apple Cider Vinegar is known to be predominantly useful for people with diabetes. Let us find out how:
Diabetes management constitutes blood sugar control which in turn affects insulin sensitivity. When you drink ACV before meals, the acetic acid present in it slows down the conversion of complex carbohydrates into the bloodstream, which prevents blood sugar level spikes that usually occur after eating.
Since the blood sugar levels get stabilized, the cravings for sugary and unhealthy foods reduce to a large extent and thereby, preventing your indulgence in binge eating. Also, improved insulation regulation eventually aids in weight loss.
Relieving cold symptoms
Yes, you read it right, I have tried and tested this many times and assure you, it works! As soon as you sense the dreadful cold symptoms, you can stop them from setting in with just a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in warm water. You can add honey as well to get a soothing effect.
Let us understand the science behind this, when we are sick, our bodies naturally become more acidic. It has been found that germs and bacteria that lead to sickness thrive in acidic conditions and an alkalized body is unappealing to them.
Now, you might be wondering how would an acid help in alkalizing the body, but that’s the effect ACV has after consumption. It works by keeping the body’s PH level balanced thereby, creating an alkaline environment that helps kill these bacteria and viruses. Also, the warmth loosens some of the mucus in the nose and throat and hence, makes you feel relieved.
So, next time before reaching out on medicines, just try a spoonful of this magical age-old remedy to ease your symptoms.
Lowers Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels
High blood pressure and cholesterol both work hand-in-hand to get a heart disease on a fast track. Apple Cider is known to lower the level of an enzyme called Renin which in turn, lowers the blood pressure.
As per a recent study, people who consumed Apple Cider Vinegar for around 2 months, experienced enhanced levels of HDL cholesterol(aka the “good” cholesterol compared to the other people. As a result, their blood pressure counts also took the edge off.
This is not it, the use of Apple Cider Vinegar in improving PCOS, preventing heartburn, and detoxification has also seen to deliver phenomenal results.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar has an acidity of 5% so DO NOT consume it directly as it can erode the enamel on your teeth and also damage the esophagus.
Dilute 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of ACV in water before meals to reap its supreme benefits.
It could be difficult for some of you to get on the bandwagon because of how raw ACV tastes, but do not fret! There are various ways to make your Apple cider drink taste much better.
Add spices and honey to it
To 1 tablespoon of raw ACV, add hot water, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon, 1 pinch of turmeric, cinnamon, and a small amount of ginger. This detox drink will kick start your metabolism and keep you feeling energized throughout the day.
Make Apple Cider Lemonade
Take 1 tablespoon of ACV and add freshly squeezed lemon, 1 spoon of honey, and a glass of ice-cold water. Sip this refreshing drink at your leisure to boost the body’s metabolism.
Mix in Salads as a dressing
It would add a refreshing taste to your salads and the best part you can keep drizzling it until your heart’s content without any sense of guilt!
Summary
Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV) is a magic bullet that offers a multitude of uses and benefits. Incorporating it in your diet can be a solution for many ailments and is an easy way to improve your health from inside out and mainly support your weight loss efforts.
So, if just drinking a few drops can help you shed those extra pounds, it is surely a cinch and totally worth trying!
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Thanks and keep it up!