15 Surprising Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Chances are, you’ve got a bottle of apple cider vinegar sitting in your pantry. Beyond salad dressing, did you know that apple cider vinegar has many other uses? Scientific studies support a wide range of health benefits from lowering cholesterol to aiding in weight loss.

For maximum health benefits, look for organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that contains the “mother,” which are strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria. Start off by taking one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar a day mixed in a glass of water before meals or in the morning. Read on to learn more amazing health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Prevents indigestion

If you suffer from stomach issues like indigestion, acid reflux, and bloating, apple cider vinegar may improve your digestion if taken before each meal. Especially if you know you’ll be eating foods you’ve reacted to in the past, it’s worth taking apple cider vinegar as a preventative measure.

Add one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it 30 minutes before you plan on eating.

2. Soothes a sore throat

Feel a sore throat coming on? Stop soreness in its tracks with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which kills bacteria and prevents it from multiplying and reaching harmful levels.

Combine 1/4-cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4-cup warm water and gargle every hour or as needed.

3. Lowers cholesterol

For those with high cholesterol, you may benefit from the cholesterol-lowering effects of apple cider vinegar. A 2012 study found that subjects with high levels of fat in their blood had significantly lower harmful blood lipids and tryiglyceride levels after consuming two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar twice daily for eight weeks.

4. Aids in tummy woes

Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and sip away. If it’s a bacterial infection you’re dealing with, the antibiotic and antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar will help remedy your stomach issues.

5. Clears a stuffy nose

Stuffy noses be-gone! Apple cider vinegar breaks up mucus in your body. It contains potassium, which thins mucous, and acetic acid, which has antibacterial properties to help with infections. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink to aid in sinus drainage.

6. Supports controlled blood sugar levels

Apple cider vinegar may help lower glucose levels, making it a beneficial treatment for those with type 2 Diabetes.

A 2007 study found that insulin-resistant participants had decreased fasting blood glucose levels after ingesting apple cider vinegar along with cheese at bedtime. A 2004 study found that apple cider vinegar reduced fluctuations in insulin during a high-carb meal and significantly lowered blood glucose and insulin responses. Scientists believe the acid in apple cider vinegar has an anti-glycemic effect.

7. Helps with weight loss

While there’s no magic cure-all for weight loss, apple cider vinegar has been shown to suppress the appetite. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar tames hunger, increases your metabolism, and reduces water retention.

A 12-week Japanese study in 2009 found that daily consumption of apple cider vinegar reduced body weight and body fat mass in obese subjects. Scientists theorize that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar slows the rate at which sugars are released into the bloodstream, lessening the appetite.

8. Boosts energy levels

If you’re feeling fatigued, apple cider vinegar helps boost your energy levels. It contains potassium and enzymes, acting as a natural electrolyte solution. Also, the amino acids contained in apple cider vinegar counteract lactic acid build-up in the body, relieving fatigue.

To regain energy, add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.

9. Gets rid of dandruff

Dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast, and the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow.

In a spray bottle, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water and mist on your scalp. Wrap a towel on your head and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour. Wash your hair as usual and repeat twice a week for best results.

10. Clears acne

If you suffer from acne, use apple cider vinegar to help clear your skin. The antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar help to keep acne under control, and acids soften and exfoliate skin, reduce red spots, and balance the pH of your skin. Apple cider vinegar also makes a great natural toner, leaving skin looking healthier.

11. Helps with nighttime leg cramps

Do you suffer from leg cramps? They can be a sign that you’re low in potassium. Apple cider vinegar is a good source of potassium, and can help relieve that painful Charlie horse. Mix two tablespoons apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon honey in a glass of warm water and drink when you feel a leg cramp coming on.

12. Banishes bad breath

If you have smelly breath even after brushing, try an apple cider vinegar gargle. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that kill the odor-causing bacteria that cause bad breath. Gargle with it, or drink a teaspoon diluted with water to kill the odor-causing bacteria.

13. Whitens teeth

Get rid of yellow stains on your teeth with apple cider vinegar. The vinegar helps remove stains and whiten teeth. Gargle with apple cider vinegar, then brush as usual.

14. Fades bruises

Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties. Place an apple cider vinegar compress on a bruise to help fade the discoloration.

15. Cures hiccups

Hiccups can be an annoying health issue, and many of the folk remedies just don’t work on stubborn hiccups. Not so with apple cider vinegar!

One entrepreneurial teen created an apple cider vinegar lollipop specifically for stopping hiccups. Apparently the apple cider vinegar cancels out the message to hiccup by over-stimulating the nerves in the throat responsible for the spasms. For an at-home hiccup cure, swallow a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.