It should be noted, however, that there were only 11 studies included in this review, and each of these studies had small number of participants. These effects were seen in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes, as well as healthy people, when they had 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar with a meal. It may also help stabilise insulin levels after eating. Apple cider vinegar lowers blood sugar levelsĪ 2017 review of several clinical studies found that vinegar (but not necessarily ACV) may help reduce a spike in blood sugar levels after a meal. Let’s examine some of the claims to see what evidence there is to support them. But not all of these claims have been proven by scientific studies on humans. More general claims that ACV improves vitality, energy and the absorption of nutrients from food have also been made. ‘The mother’ is thought by some to be the substance that’s responsible for the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.Ī wide range of health benefits have been linked to ACV, ranging from treatment of dandruff to athlete’s foot. It can be used to kick-start further batches of ACV because it triggers the fermentation process. It may look like strands or cobwebs in the vinegar or like a gelatinous blob, and gives unstrained apple cider vinegar its cloudy-brown appearance. The vinegar mother is made up of proteins, enzymes and ‘good’ bacteria. (pH is a measure of acidity, with 1 being the most acidic and 7 being neutral.)Ī substance known as ‘the mother’ (or vinegar mother) forms during the vinegar-making process. The pH of apple cider vinegar is about 2-3, which is considered mildly acidic. In addition to acetic acid, ACV may also contain a small amount of malic acid and citric acid. ‘Good’ bacteria called acetobacter then convert the alcohol in the cider into acetic acid to form vinegar. The cider is made by fermenting the sugar in apples. Like all types of vinegar, apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid as the key ingredient.Īs the name suggests, ACV is made from apple cider. What is apple cider vinegar?Īpple cider vinegar isn’t new – it’s been around for a long time and has been used for centuries as a tonic for various ailments and even as a cleaning product. Find out which health benefits are supported by science and which aren’t, and get the low-down on the negative effects of ACV. MyDr helps you weigh up the pros and cons of ACV to your diet.

But what are the real benefits of ACV, and what’s the best way to take it? Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been touted as a cure-all in recent years, with far-ranging health benefits being described.

Cider vinegar