Vinegar has a lot of known health benefits and can be put to a lot of great uses. You need to be aware of the fact, though, that there are many vinegar fads that are going around that won't do a whole lot of good.
Both the Mayo Clinic and WebMD state that although there isn’t any science to back up the fads, using the vinegar won't do you any damage. Be sure to check with your doctor for any possible interactions with your medication ahead of time, though. Check out the 8 potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar and whether they actually work.
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1. Detoxing digestive track. Some claim that apple cider vinegar will draw toxins out of the digestive track. The Mayo Clinic points out that the liver and kidneys really do the best job of detoxing the body. Doing an apple cider detox shouldn't do any harm, so if you want to try one, Listotic recommends mixing hot water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, raw honey and cinnamon and drinking it hot.
2. Soothing sore throat. Apple cider vinegar does have antibacterial properties, so fighting a sore throat with it is possible. Dr. Oz recommends mixing one teaspoon apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon cayenne pepper, and three teaspoons clover honey to create a syrup. Reader's Digest says you can gargle a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar to help clear up the sore throat.
3. Weight loss. A working theory is that drinking some vinegar before a high-carb diet will stimulate your metabolism and cause you to burn the calories faster or eat less. The Mayo Clinic says that there isn't any proof to back up this claim. Limiting your calories is the best way to lose weight. Try substituting vinegar in your salad dressings for some of the fattier ingredients. This can decrease your calorie count and help you lose weight.
4. Control type 2 diabetes. Dr. Axe shares that using apple cider vinegar regularly on salads or taking a one tablespoon before a meal can help those who suffer from type 2 diabetes "balance blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity and insulin responses."
5. Soothing a sunburn. Healthline recommends using diluted apple cider vinegar on a sunburn to help it heal and take the sting out. It's supposed to help restore the body's pH. Dr. O'Brien of WebMD says it's a myth and shouldn't be used.
6. Dandruff control. Some have recommended using 1/4 cup vinegar in a spray bottle combined with water and spraying it on your hair after shampooing to help control dandruff, but WebMD says that there is no proof to back it up. Using a product designed for the job is the better way to go.
7. Tooth whitener. You can use vinegar to whiten your teeth so you have a nicer smile. Dr. Axe recommends using your finger to rub the vinegar on your teeth for one minute and then rinsing. WebMD's caution is that although it works, vinegar can also eat through your teeth's enamel.
8. Balance digestive track. Dr. Oz says that drinking a glass of water with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it will give you needed probiotics and balance your stomach. WebMD says there is no scientific support for it, but it won't hurt you any.
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Feel free to give some of these a try. If you see improvements, you can feel good about a healthy solution to your problem.
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