Vinegar is an acidic liquid made through fermenting ethanol, converting it to acetic acid. Vinegar can be made from any ingredient that contains ethanol like wine, beer, fermented fruit juice or champagne. Vinegar is mainly used for cooking purposes; to give a tart or sour flavour to food, to activate the leavening of baking soda, as a marinade, tenderiser or as a preservative in pickling.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made from fermenting crushed apple using acetic acid bacteria. Apples are a good source of B complex vitamins, vitamin C and small amounts of iron, potassium and magnesium. It is thought that ACV contains some of the nutrients found in fresh apple fruits.

Health benefits In the recent past, ACV has gained popularity with many purported health benefits. A lot of people using it for health reasons believe it can help with weight loss, lower cholesterol, manage skin conditions like acne, improve digestive health, cure sore throat, whiten teeth and remove dandruff. Studies done on acetic acid, a core component of ACV, indicate that acetic acid may have some benefits if consumed appropriately; however, the studies do not draw adequate scientific evidence. Furthermore, most of these studies were done on animals with few done on humans. Even though not proven, there are many people who swear by ACV for helping improve their skin tone and acne after steaming it with diluted ACV. ACV can also help get rid of some plaque off the teeth but due to its acidity, will most likely damage the enamel leaving your teeth weak and sensitive and more prone to cavities.

How it reduces satiety Acetic acid can potentially slow down the digestion process by deactivating some digestive enzymes responsible for carbohydrate digestion. The carbohydrates are then digested slowly causing a slow release of sugars into the blood stream. This slow digestion also keeps one fuller for longer. This maybe the reason ACV is associated with reduced appetite and subsequent weight loss. Despite the lack of adequate evidence to support these claims, some people have visible benefits especially improved skin health after using ACV. However due to related health risks it is important for those who choose to use it to proceed with caution.

Don'ts Avoid applying or drinking undiluted vinegar as it can irritate the skin and corrode the lining of the mouth and throat. Using a straw instead of drinking straight from the cup and rinsing the mouth after intake can help avoid some of its negative effects. Making healthy sustainable changes in one's lifestyle is the only sure way to reduce the risk of illnesses, maintaining healthy weight and for overall well being.

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