If you are looking for the cure-all for numerous health problems and ailments, many say look no further than apple cider vinegar.
However, while various sites promote this inexpensive home remedy, will it really help you or hurt you, especially in the long run?
Vinegar has been used since 400 BC by medicine men and doctors to treat a wide variety of health conditions. In 1950, thanks to a book called Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health by D.C. Jarvis, apple cider vinegar was touted as the next "Magic Bullet".
The problem is there haven't been very many studies done to determine the benefits of apple cider vinegar, at least not scientifically.
Apple cider vinegar may help make your hair silky, clear up acne, freshen body odor, dissolve a kidney stone, reduce the duration or severity of a sinus infection, or even cure head lice, but there is little to no credible evidence for these claims.
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The only reputable scientific studies to evaluate the vinegar's benefits are related to treating diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure, cancer, and weight loss. Many of these studies produced some promising results but also showed that there can be ill effects too.
Most of the so-called research available on the benefits of vinegar is being promoted by people who are targeting consumers in hopes of selling their own vinegar products.
In addition, other websites are being paid by vinegar retailers to feature ads for their products alongside the research. Since these companies stand to gain lucrative profits, bias is almost inevitable.
Another issue for the average consumer is that standard apple cider vinegar found in typical grocery stores is not the same formula used in the scientific studies.
Clear purified or pasteurized vinegar has not been proven to provide these miraculous benefits. Instead, consumers seeking to duplicate the potential health benefits claimed by the studies need to obtain the brown filmy unfiltered organic liquid variety, which can be harder to find unless you are purchasing it from a health food store or ordering online.
Some supplement companies also sell the vinegar in a tablet form, but since supplements are not FDA regulated, there is no guarantee that the vinegar is even an ingredient in the pills.
Vinegar is seemingly harmless, so many starts these regimens thinking, "How bad can it be? Vinegar is a natural product, right?" While a little bit of vinegar on your salad probably won't hurt you, drinking a daily "shot" could potentially harm you if you aren't careful.
Vinegar is an acid, therefore, it's important to always dilute it first with water or juice if it's being consumed orally to avoid damaging or eroding tooth enamel. If applied topically, it is also crucial to dilute the vinegar with water to avoid damaging or burning the skin.
It is also very important to realize that vinegar can work against prescription medications you may be taking and cause an interaction, side effect or even reverse the effects of a drug.
So can apple cider vinegar really keep the doctor away?
Possibly in some cases, but there simply aren't enough studies that have really proven it to be true. Asking your doctor before starting a daily vinegar regimen is always recommended.
So at the end of the day, vinegar doesn't really help you avoid the doctor, at least not initially. Does this mean vinegar won't cure your complaint?
No, it could possibly help but should be taken at your own risk and with full awareness of possible side effects.
Hey, if it doesn't work, you could always use it to dye Easter eggs!
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