You’ve probably heard a thing or two about apple cider vinegar and how it has many health benefits. From weight loss to skin care, it’s been the center of numerous fads. While some of these claims are a bit far-fetched, ACV can be beneficial to your body.
The root of some of these advantageous results lies in a key ingredient — acetic acid. This chemical has been the subject of much scientific research lately. Furthermore, it has been connected to numerous benefits to your body’s health. What exactly can it do for you? Keep reading to find out.
What is Acetic Acid?
It’s important to understand what acetic acid is before diving into its health benefits. It might not be a compound you’re familiar with. Research on this chemical has only been developing in the last 30 years, so it is relatively new.
To put it simply, acetic acid is the chief active ingredient in vinegar. This is what makes the liquid taste and smell sour. The substance is created through a chemical process called fermentation, which is also used to make alcohol and kombucha.
But what makes acetic acid so special is its multiple health benefits. Scientists have only recently been investigating the chemical’s advantages, so much is still unknown. However, what is proven is already known to be good for you.
What Can It Do?
Now you know what acetic acid is, but you’re probably still wondering why it’s so good for you. While all its benefits are still being explored, there are some healthful advantages that are agreed upon by many researchers. What seems to be a common factor is its ability to help regulate certain bodily functions.
Improve Gut Health
One of the most agreed-upon benefits of the acetic acid in vinegar is its ability to strengthen your digestive system. The gut is an incredibly delicate microbiome, easily unbalanced by the slightest dip in the scales. This unfortunate aspect is especially common for those who suffer from illnesses such as colitis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, certain supplements have been proven to help regulate digestive functions, including the acetic acid in ACV.
This chemical helps balance the microbiome of the gut by attacking bad bacteria and lessening inflammation. The restoration of equality between good and bad bacteria will help improve digestion. Reducing inflammation will help guard against flare-ups of diarrhea, gas, or general discomfort and cramping. Combining these elements, your gut will feel healthier and run more smoothly.
The most common supplements containing acetic acid usually are advertised as apple cider vinegar vitamins. The popular forms of this are pills and ACV gummies, which make ingesting vinegar much more pleasant.
Lower Blood Sugar
Recent research into acetic acid’s benefits has migrated toward helping those who suffer from diabetes. This condition is an auto-immune disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar. There are many existing treatments for the disease, though most are costly and not always easily accessible. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that acetic acid can be a cheap additive to diabetic care.
While not a complete treatment on its own, adding acetic acid to the diet through ACV can help lower blood sugar. This can give an extra boost to those who need assistance regulating these levels. Moreover, those who are highly susceptible to diabetes might consider adding this to their diet to safeguard against future complications.
Some studies show the substance can create a longer-lasting satiety, meaning the feeling of fullness after eating. Many diabetics suffer from not feeling full after eating, causing them to reach for snacks that elevate their blood glucose. But when taking ACV, the acetic acid effectively helps lessen this habit.
Help with Weight Loss
While on the topic of satiety, acetic acid’s ability to keep you feeling full can help with losing weight. This will make you feel less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks throughout the day. Additionally, you might be able to eat smaller portions of meals if you’re getting too many calories on average.
Eating too much is definitely related to weight gain, and acetic acid can assist with that. However, the chemical can actually do more than just help you feel full for longer after meals. It can even produce weight loss on its own.
In a 2014 study, scientists found that taking one to two tablespoons of ACV per day resulted in losing weight. This was not only proven through lowering weight in its subjects, but also through the shrinking of waist sizes. That means the results will be visible in multiple ways, so you can really see it working.
Lower Cholesterol
This is a relatively newer concept being explored in the world of acetic acid and ACV experiments. Recent studies have noticed a correlation between the supplement and reduced levels of cholesterol. Lowering this substance in the body can improve overall health and lessen one’s risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol is a necessary element in your body. According to the CDC, it’s essential for functions like breaking down fat and producing hormones. However, too much cholesterol can cause fatty buildup in your veins and arteries, causing strain on the cardiovascular system. This is what can lead to heart disease and heart attacks.
The recent findings of acetic acid’s connection to lowering cholesterol needs more research. There is still much more to be known about the benefits in relation to heart disease, though the results so far are positive. And at the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Luckily, ACV won’t hurt you anyway.
Results Vary by Person
Of course, any time you read about a supplement’s health benefits, you shouldn’t assume your body will always react accordingly. Everyone’s body is different, meaning you will respond to different stimuli differently too. What helps one person with a condition might do nothing for the next person.
That being said, it never hurts to try out something new. After all, the results out there are overwhelmingly positive. Chances are that your body will reap the benefits.