Are you apple cider vinegar-curious? This guide will get you started.
Like celery juice and bulletproof coffee before it, apple cider vinegar seems to be having a ‘moment’ as of late.
The so-called wellness tonic claims to help with blood sugar and digestion, and even getting rid of stubborn belly fat.
As the name suggests, the vinegar is made from fermented apples, which have been crushed and exposed to yeast to ferment and create the bacteria.
This supposedly leads to all sort of beneficial acids, from vitamin B6 and magnesium to the ‘disease preventing’ polyphenolic compounds.
And look, while the jury is still out on whether apple cider vinegar (ACV to the wellness woke) is the miracle cure it’s made out by some to be – there seems to be a consensus about how and when to take it to maximise your chances of its apparent benefits.
While there is no scientific evidence, most people suggest having ACV at least twice a day and before eating. (Also, important to note that it should not be consumed straight out of the bottle but mixed with water!)
Clinical nutritionist Jessica Sepel says sipping on one tablespoon diluted in water before meals (at least 20 minutes before eating) is a good way to increase healthy stomach acid and reduce bloating.
This can help break down any starches you eat afterwards. So a good way to ease into it might be drinking before lunch and dinner, for starters. It can also be used as a flavourful dressing on salads.
Dietitian Susie Burrell points out there is a “limited pool” of research to show ACV may help to better regulate blood glucose levels after meals especially for those who have high glucose levels, or for those who are especially sedentary.
“For this reason taking a tablespoon of ACV with your meals may help to regulate glucose levels. Tighter blood glucose regulation is associated with weight control long term,” she says.
While another expert, dietitian Melissa Meier, is more sceptical – “apple cider vinegar isn’t the elixir of life” – she says it can be a good staple to have in your pantry to throw into salad dressings, homemade sauces or marinades.
“Not only does it add a tasty kick, it can be beneficial in managing blood sugars as acidity helps to reduce the glycemic index of meals,” she adds.
Sure it’s an acquired taste, but if you’re ACV-curious, this is a good place to start.
