Are you health-conscious, and spend a significant amount of time on the Internet? Then we’re sure you’ve come across apple cider vinegar, and its supposed benefits for your health. While we do believe that it is a very beneficial substance, we find it hard to believe that it can take care of pretty much any bodily issue we might have – from clearing out our skin, to helping us lose weight. So, here’s a look at the things that have been scientifically proven as health benefits of apple cider vinegar, and those that are still iffy.
Proven: It is rich in acetic acid, which helps your body absorb minerals more effectively, and cuts down calories from carbohydrates
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, a powerful compound (what is responsible for the slightly murky appearance of the vinegar, and the sour taste) that helps your body to effectively absorb vitamins and minerals, like calcium and iron from your food, in the absence of enough acid produced by your body.
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar also affects the enzymes in your stomach, disallowing them from absorbing the calories from carbohydrate-rich food you may have eaten.
Not proven: It can help clear up your skin
While there are people who claim that apple cider vinegar has helped clear their face of acne, it can be quite strong when directly applied to your skin and can cause scarring and burns. Also, this claim has not yet been scientifically proven.
Proven: It helps stabilise your blood sugar
Another benefit of the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is that it helps to keep your blood sugar level stabilised, as it contains anti-glycaemic properties. Drinking acetic acid can reduce the ups and downs in your blood sugar levels, and prevent the bodily effects you face from sugar spikes and crashes.
Not proven: That it is a tooth whitener
Yes, apple cider vinegar has been proven as a disinfectant cleanser, but that doesn’t apply to dental hygiene. There is no backing the claim that it will help whiten teeth. In fact, we’re afraid that if tried, it could actually be more harmful than good. As we mentioned earlier, it is a fairly acidic substance, and there are chances that it could damage the enamel of your teeth.
Proven: It can kill bacteria
There has been a lot of research that backs the antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar, starting from the time of the Greeks. So, it can be used to kill bad breath, as well as cleanse smelly feet, but always be careful about the concentration of the substance. Using it undiluted, or too much of it can be harmful.
Not proven: That it helps reduce cancerous cells
While there have been studies that found that apple cider vinegar kills cancerous cells, they were very isolated studies, and have no real merit. So please, do not believe such a life-changing claim. There is no concrete evidence to back it, yet.
