ACV is generally safe when consumed in moderation — no more than 1 to 2 tablespoons (tbsp) daily. But drinking excessive amounts of ACV can decrease potassium to hazardous levels. ACV may interact with some medications (including diuretics, laxatives, and certain medications for diabetes and heart disease).
Things You Should Know
Drink 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) of apple cider vinegar 20 minutes before each meal 3 times daily to help regulate your appetite. Always dilute your apple cider vinegar in 1 c (240 ml) of water.
In most cases, ACV is relatively harmless, but there are some risks to be aware of. Consuming more than 1-2 tablespoons in a day can cause irritation of the esophagus, erode tooth enamel and most dangerously, decrease potassium levels.
Because it's high in acid, it could irritate your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat and stomach) if you drink it straight or drink too much of it. Undiluted ACV can also break down tooth enamel. To avoid these issues, always water down apple cider vinegar and drink it through a straw to protect your teeth.
ACV is generally safe when consumed in moderation — no more than 1 to 2 tablespoons (tbsp) daily. But drinking excessive amounts of ACV can decrease potassium to hazardous levels. ACV may interact with some medications (including diuretics, laxatives, and certain medications for diabetes and heart disease).
Apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.
Brushing your teeth right after consuming apple cider vinegar can wear away the tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities and tooth decay.
Ingesting ACV before you go to sleep might help you wake up with stable blood sugar. A study published in the Diabetes Care journal found that taking vinegar at bedtime moderates glucose concentration when you wake up. Low potassium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps.
Advocates claim that conducting a cleanse with apple cider vinegar helps to flush toxins from the body, regulate blood sugar levels, and encourage healthy weight loss, all of which can improve liver health. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.
According to a study published in the Journal of Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, Apple Cider Vinegar can result in effective weight loss after three months (or 12 weeks). People in this study dropped an average of 4 pounds by consuming 1 to 2 tablespoons of diluted apple cider vinegar every day.
Detoxifies the Body: ACV is often used as a detox drink due to its natural ability to cleanse the body. Consuming it on an empty stomach can help flush out toxins, promote liver health, and enhance the body's natural detoxification process.
Because of the acidity, drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar can also worsen symptoms in people with digestive problems, such as stomach ulcers or acid reflux.
Bedtime isn't an ideal time to take apple cider vinegar
People who are prone to heartburn, acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) would want to avoid consuming anything acidic at least 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime to minimize the chances of experiencing burning and discomfort.
According to some, apple cider vinegar before bedtime can taper blood sugar levels down and might even be easier to digest. However, drinking it right after meals can delay digestion, which can be bad.
Can You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar on an Empty Stomach? Yes, you can drink diluted apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach. In fact, it's the recommended way to take ACV. Just wait about 20 minutes or so after drinking apple cider vinegar to eat.
But also know that diluted apple cider vinegar — one or two tablespoons mixed into a glass of water — should be consumed in moderation. Dr. Kalakota says it's a good idea to limit yourself to a glass of it per day, though this amount isn't known to bring any health benefit.
The shelf life of apple cider vinegar is two years unopened, and one year once you've broken the seal on the bottle. You don't have to refrigerate apple cider vinegar once it's opened. Instead, store it in a pantry or cabinet, away from direct sunlight.
ALWAYS drink it through a straw. This greatly minimizes how much of the acid fluid actually touches your teeth. DO NOT brush your teeth afterwards. Ideally you should leave four hours between drinking it and brushing your teeth so you'll have to work your oral hygiene routine and meal times around that.
If you brush your teeth immediately, you can damage your enamel while it's temporarily weakened from the acidity. After eating or drinking something with apple cider vinegar in it, rinse your mouth out really well with water. This will reduce the amount of vinegar that sits on your enamel. Practice good oral hygiene.
Herbal teas, warm milk, tart cherry juice, and drinks containing cinnamon, green tea, ginger, and apple cider vinegar are among the most effective fat-burning drinks before bed.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that acetic acid present in ACV leaves you feeling fuller for longer, thereby, preventing you from overeating or cravings. This will help you eat fewer calories and lead to actual kilos lost on the scale.