Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of those
multipurpose products that has countless uses – from cleaning to cooking
to laundry, beauty, and even health and weight loss. There is evidence
to suggest that taking ACV can help with blood sugar management and may
improve gut health, which is why many people drink it daily. That said,
there is a right and a wrong way to take apple cider vinegar, and doing
so incorrectly may not just be ineffective, it could be harmful to your
health.
1. Not diluting the ACV
One of the biggest mistakes people make is
drinking ACV without previously diluting it with water. Since vinegar is
a highly acidic substance, doing so can be dangerous and could lead to
severe irritation, chemical burns, and damage to the esophagus and the
stomach according to health experts. If you’d like to take apple cider
vinegar, make sure to dilute it first: use 2 tablespoons of apple cider
vinegar and add it to a 350 ml (12 oz) glass of water daily after a
meal.
Apple cider vinegar is also often used for
its beauty benefits, with people using ACV to clear acne, reduce
dandruff, or even calm down a sunburn. If you are tempted to use ACV on
your skin, never apply it onto the entire face, and make sure to always
dilute it in a 1:10 ratio. As a wellness expert told Reader’s Digest, “Prolonged exposure to the highly acidic
vinegar can actually kill skin cells, erode your skin, and even leave
you with semi-permanent chemical burns.”
To avoid these undesired effects, only apply the diluted ACV directly
onto the spot.
The best time to take ACV in the morning.
In fact, drinking apple cider vinegar right before bed can actually be
harmful, especially if you already suffer from acid reflux and
heartburn. The reason why is because the vinegar can leak back into the
esophagus when you’re lying down and even diluted vinegar could damage
the esophagus when exposed for a long time. For this reason, it is
always recommended to stay upright for 30 minutes after taking ACV to
make sure it doesn’t lead to acid reflux.
4. You’re sipping ACV
Let’s be honest, apple cider vinegar, even
diluted, isn’t a tasty beverage for most of us, but the unpleasant taste
isn’t the only reason why you shouldn’t savor and sip on the ACV. In
fact, doing so could damage your tooth enamel, and inhaling it could
irritate the nose and eyes.
Therefore, experts recommend drinking ACV through a straw to minimize
any contact with the teeth, eyes, and nose. To prevent any damage to the
tooth enamel, doctors also say you shouldn’t brush your teeth for 30
minutes after drinking apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar isn’t for everyone. For
example, if you suffer from kidney damage or any urinary condition,
avoid taking apple cider vinegar as it’s one of the foods that can
damage the kidneys in those susceptible to kidney diseases. In addition,
apple cider vinegar isn’t always good for digestion either.
bacteria that causes ulcers, may actually feel worse if they start
drinking ACV because the highly acidic substance can irritate the
ulcers. Signs that point that you should discontinue taking apple cider
vinegar are an upset stomach or a burning sensation. An even better
course of action would be to discuss whether or not you should be taking
ACV in the first place with your doctor.
6. You’re taking ACV right after a meal
While drinking apple cider vinegar after a
meal isn’t dangerous per se, it’s not the most effective approach.
Drinking apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning on an empty
stomach seems to be the most beneficial. As Elizabeth Abel, a licensed
functional nutritionist, stated in an interview, “Many people,
especially as they age, tend to experience a decrease in their gastric
juices which can help break down the food they eat.”
Drinking ACV before a meal can help replace part of these gastric juices
and improve digestion. So, if you’re taking apple cider vinegar for
indigestion, the best time to take it is early morning.
