Introduction
Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. It has been touted as a cure-all for everything from weight loss to digestive issues. But what many people don’t know is that there are some secret side effects of taking apple cider vinegar that science has uncovered. In this article, we’ll explore the potential risks and benefits of taking apple cider vinegar and discuss how to safely incorporate it into your diet. We’ll also look at the latest research on the potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar and how it can be used to improve your overall health. So, if you’re considering adding apple cider vinegar to your diet, read on to learn more about the secret side effects of taking apple cider vinegar.
Secret Side Effects of Taking Apple Cider Vinegar, Says Science
Apple cider vinegar has been touted as a health elixir for centuries, but science is just now catching up to the claims. Studies have found that apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and even improve heart health. But there are some side effects of taking apple cider vinegar that you should be aware of.
1. Upset Stomach
Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, which can cause an upset stomach if taken in large amounts. It can also cause nausea, heartburn, and indigestion. To avoid these side effects, start with a small amount and gradually increase your intake over time.
2. Tooth Enamel Damage
The acidity of apple cider vinegar can also damage tooth enamel. To avoid this, dilute the vinegar with water before drinking it. You can also rinse your mouth with water after drinking it to help protect your teeth.
3. Interactions With Medications
Apple cider vinegar can interact with certain medications, including diuretics, laxatives, and insulin. If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor before taking apple cider vinegar.
4. Low Potassium Levels
Apple cider vinegar can also cause low potassium levels, which can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, and irregular heartbeat. To avoid this, make sure to get enough potassium in your diet and talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar has many potential health benefits, but it can also have some side effects. To avoid these side effects, start with a small amount and gradually increase your intake over time. Also, make sure to dilute the vinegar with water and rinse your mouth with water after drinking it. Finally, talk to your doctor if you are taking any medications that could interact with apple cider vinegar.
Even if you haven’t been down the rabbit hole of nutrition trends, you’ve likely heard about how people have been consuming apple cider vinegar for its health benefits. While there is some evidence that shows taking apple cider vinegar as a dietary supplement can support your health, that evidence is limited and researchers are still working to understand these findings.
Because many benefits of apple cider vinegar have been blown out of proportion (for example, there is no evidence to support that apple cider vinegar contains gut-healthy prebiotics as some have claimed), people may be supplementing with this acidic liquid more than they should. If you’ve been taking ACV regularly, you should be aware of some of the more lesser-known side effects of consuming it. Plus, don’t miss I Drank Apple Cider Vinegar for a Month—and the Results Surprised Me!
Consuming even small amounts of apple cider vinegar—less than an ounce—may cause some digestive distress, as shown by one study. In a controlled trial published in the International Journal of Obesity, participants either consumed a drink containing 0.88 ounces of apple cider vinegar or a non-vinegar control drink alongside a mixed breakfast. The upside is that those who consumed the ACV drink reported a lower appetite, but the downside is that they also had significantly greater feelings of nausea and indigestion than those who skipped the ACV.
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Those with diabetes may have heard that taking apple cider vinegar may help manage blood sugar levels and recent research backs that claim up. A 2018 Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine analysis looked at 12 independent studies to determine the side effects of taking apple cider vinegar. The researchers noted that vinegar has been found to slow gastric emptying, thereby slowing the digestion of complex carbohydrates and consequently flattening the peak of postmeal blood glucose. However, the researchers underscore that current evidence is still insufficient to provide definitive proof of the effectiveness of using vinegar to manage diabetes, so it is always best to work with a doctor to come up with a treatment plan.
It’s widely known that acidic drinks can degrade tooth enamel. And that holds true for both unhealthy drinks like soda but also healthy drinks like sparkling water. While these carbonated beverages may erode tooth enamel due to their high levels of carbonic acid and citric acid, some studies have found that acetic acid—the predominate acid in ACV—may also have the same effect. A Clinical Laboratory lab study found that when enamel from wisdom teeth was immersed in different kinds of vinegar, the teeth lost anywhere between 1% and 20% minerals after just 4 hours. As this study was performed in a lab and may not directly translate to the same findings if done in a human mouth, it does show that there is an erosive potential of different vinegar varieties on tooth enamel.
READ MORE: Here’s What Happens To Your Body If You Drink Seltzer Every Day
While the focus on taking apple cider vinegar as a supplement tends to be on detoxification, there is one side effect that has a bit more science to back it up. Some studies that looked at how taking ACV can affect human health have found that the ingredient may improve cholesterol levels. One animal study found that when animals consumed vinegar for four weeks, they displayed reduced triglyceride levels. The researchers noted that this may have been a side effect of the weight loss the animals experienced during the trial and that ACV may not directly impact cholesterol levels. Separately, a more recent animal study hypothesizes that ACV’s cholesterol-lowering powers may be linked to its high concentration of antioxidant polyphenol compounds.
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Olivia Tarantino