4 Myths About Apple Cider Vinegar!

What is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): 

Apple cider vinegar is mainly made by crushing the apples & collecting the fermented concentrated pale amber colour liquid like vinegar. This process helps form the main active ingredient of ACV which is acetic acid (1). 

How does it look, taste and smell:

It tastes sour and has a strong smell. The sourness of ACV comes from acetic acid. Acv has a distinct appearance. Pure ACV contains "mother," strands of proteins, enzymes, and probiotics (good bacteria) that give the product a murky, cobweb-like appearance.

History of ACV

For thousands of years, compounds containing vinegar have been used for their presumed healing properties.ACV has been used as a remedy for various ailments over centuries, dating all the way back to 3000 BC and is even mentioned in the Bible!. Many Ancient physicians like Hippocrates as well as ancient Babylonian civilisation trusted ACV with its healing properties. Japanese Samurai, Roman soldiers and military groups throughout history have used apple cider vinegar for its antiseptic, antibacterial and as an energy boosting properties (2).

Myths surrounding ACV

ACV can cure diabetes

ACV won’t cure diabetes, but it may moderately lower blood glucose levels. It won’t take the place of any medications for diabetes, but it’s a safe enough addition to a diabetes treatment plan (as long as you don’t have kidney disease) (3).

Antibacterial properties of ACV can prevent bacterial growth in food.

While it has shown in studies to decrease growth of certain food loving bacteria, we don’t recommend relying purely on ACV for this purpose. Ideally, ACV serves a purpose of adding flavour to your salads or reaping its benefits in the form of dummies for your digestion and metabolism. Even if you use ACV, you still have to use common sense! (4)

ACV can control high blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, there’s a lack of evidence to support using ACV as a blood pressure medication. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and take your meds as advised by your doctor. (5,6)

ACV can lower cholesterol

The study that had proven benefits of ACV in lowering cholesterol was done on rats and mice. more studies on humans are needed to declare such claims. (7,8)

Myth: There Are No Negative Side Effects

ACV is essentially composed of an acid (acetic acid). If taken in high dosage and frequently consumed straight in its undiluted form then it can degrade your tooth enamel (just like any highly acidic fruit juice can like orange juice!) In high doses, it could also lead to low potassium levels in the body. Enjoy your apple cider vinegar, but do so in small doses or better, in gummy form! (9).

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