Are you ready to get your hands on one of the hottest supplements available today?
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has traditionally been used in cooking, but is currently a popular health food supplement. It has many different uses. In this post, I will discuss some of the possible applications. ACV is available in liquid and capsule form. Sunshine Nutraceuticals has an ACV capsule preparation available for purchase on this website.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click on, or make a purchase through a third-party link.
Diabetes
Individuals with type-2 diabetes have increased blood sugar levels due to their decreasing capacity to secrete insulin or an increase in insulin resistance.
A systematic review was conducted in 2018 to evaluate the effects of vinegar on blood glucose control. The focus was on both short-term and long-term effects.
This study found vinegar did have a statistically significant effect on long term blood sugar levels as measured by HbA1c. The reduction was small (-0.39%)
Short-term outcomes were only statistically significant at 30 minutes. These showed the postprandial (after meal) glucose levels to be almost one mmol/L lower than the control group.
Vinegar does seem to have a positive effect on blood glucose levels in patients with type-2 diabetes. More studies are needed to determine its usefulness as an adjunctive agent in these patients.
Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a weight-loss agent. There have been small studies supporting this. A review of 175 obese individuals in 2009 showed daily supplementation with ACV led to weight loss and a decrease in fat mass as well as triglycerides:
15ml – loss of 2.6 lbs
30ml – loss of 3.7 lbs
This occurred over twelve weeks, so it is not a rapid weight loss. ACV may have a positive effect on weight loss when used in addition to a well-balanced diet and exercise3
Genital warts
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV. This is a sexually transmitted disease. Warts generally appear in the pubic region and are small, pink or grey, fleshy growths.
Apple cider vinegar can be used to treat genital warts. A cotton ball or Q-Tip can be soaked in the vinegar and then applied to warts. A waterproof bandage is then placed over the wart after the application.
It may take up to three weeks for warts to disappear. ACV contains acetic acid, which helps to kill the virus. If warts remain after three weeks, a physician should be consulted.
Gargle For Sore Or Strep Throat
Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that causes strep throat. This condition usually presents with a sore throat and painful swallowing. Other symptoms include:
- White spots in the throat
- Fever of 101 degrees or higher
- Swollen tonsils
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Apple cider vinegar can kill bacteria in the throat due to its acidity. ACV should be diluted before gargling. One teaspoonful (5ml) should be mixed with 8 ounces of water. A teaspoonful of salt may also be added, and the mixture warmed. ACV may also help soothe a sore throat.
I strongly suggest seeking medical care if your sore throat is accompanied by a high fever or the other symptoms listed above. The doctor can do a quick test to determine if you have strep throat. If you do, antibiotics can be prescribed to alleviate the infection.
Strep throat can make you very sick if not properly treated. This is especially true in pediatric and geriatric patients, as well as patients who are immunocompromised.
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection of the skin caused by an overgrowth of yeast. This yeast is known as Malassezia furfur. This condition commonly affects teens and young adults.
Symptoms of tinea versicolor include:
- Itching
- Scaling of the skin
- Skin patches that are discoloured and appear darker or lighter than usual
- Usually occurs on the chest, neck, back and upper arms.
The risk of contracting tinea versicolor increases in hot and humid climates. Individuals who sweat a lot also have a higher risk.
It is best to have a physician confirm the diagnosis of tinea versicolor. Other, more severe skin conditions have similar symptoms. A physician may look at the scaly patches using an ultraviolet light or may view a skin sample under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
ACV helps to control the growth of the fungi. It can be useful if rubbed on the affected skin after diluting with equal parts of water. Oral ACV capsules may also help by controlling the gut flora.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a condition of the skin characterized by small yellowish bumps usually occurring on the face. Occasionally, they may be found in the groin area, armpits, back, shoulders or on the nose.
The sebaceous glands in the skin secrete a protective oily substance known as sebum. When sebum becomes trapped inside the gland, the buildup of sebum forms a bump. These bumps have a depression in the center, unlike acne pimples.
This skin condition is most common in people over the age of 40 with fair skin. Overexposure to sunlight is known to facilitate this ailment. Sebaceous hyperplasia is harmless, but the patient may feel the need to treat it for cosmetic reasons.
Apple cider vinegar can be used to treat sebaceous hyperplasia. Soak a cotton ball in ACV and gently dab it onto the bumpy areas of the skin. ACV can prevent as well as manage the condition. It works by balancing the pH of the skin and helping to dissolve the bumps.
ACV may also be mixed with peppermint oil. This may help clean out the unwanted sebum as well as reduce inflammation. If you do not see any changes within a week, consider visiting a doctor or dermatologist.
Athletes Foot
Many believe soaking their feet in a mixture of vinegar and water can cure athletes foot. This will not harm your feet, but there isn’t enough scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness.
It is possible that cleaning your feet and keeping them dry after the soak is what helps cure the athlete’s foot. I have always had the best luck with clotrimazole.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Keratosis (AK), or solar keratosis is the most common precancer which develops on the skin. It is caused by long-term exposure to UV radiation from the sun or indoor tanning salons.
AK results in rough, scaly patches on the skin’s surface. This condition progresses to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in about 5-10% of cases.
The best way to prevent this condition is to limit sun exposure. It is also best to avoid tanning beds. Be sure to wear proper clothing when engaging in outdoor activities.
If you suspect you have actinic keratosis, consider visiting your physician. They will be able to determine whether SCC is present. Yearly check-ups are suggested.
Proper diet is essential to maintain healthy skin. People with AK should be sure to get enough vitamin A and zinc in their diet. Omega-3 oils, as well as fatty acids, are also helpful.
ACV can be dabbed onto the skin using a cotton ball to help relieve the dryness in AK. The treated area should be covered tightly with a waterproof bandage overnight. This must be done regularly to be effective.
Granuloma Annulare
Granuloma Annulare is a skin condition that is often mistaken for ringworm. It usually causes a rash and is not contagious. The cause of this condition is not known, but it can be triggered by:
- Exposure to the sun
- TB skin tests
- Some drugs
- Animal or insect bites
- Vaccinations
- Some skin injuries
Some reports are suggesting ACV can be helpful for this condition. Although apple cider vinegar can be tried, I was not able to find evidence to support its use.
If this condition does not resolve after a few months, or it is bothersome, I suggest visiting your doctor.
There are creams available by prescription that can help the condition heal more rapidly.
Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar does have side effects, especially if used chronically. Some of these include:
- Burns and irritation if applied to the skin undiluted
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Hypokalemia (low potassium level in the blood)
- Delayed gastric emptying
- May cause a decrease in appetite
- Esophageal burns (when used in an undiluted form)
- May interact with some drugs (digoxin, diuretics, some anti-diabetic agents)
Apple cider vinegar is being used for a variety of health-related benefits. It is thought to help control blood sugar, aid in weight loss, help reduce itching from bug bites and bee stings, and ailments described above.
I do believe ACV is a beneficial supplement when appropriately used. It is important to dilute the liquid product before ingestion to prevent burns. The capsules may be taken whole.
As with any supplement, ACV is not intended to be a replacement for traditional health care. I recommend visiting your doctor yearly for a check-up.
If you suffer from any of the conditions discussed in this post, and they don’t resolve, or get worse after using ACV, a physician should be consulted.
This blog is about living a happy, healthy, healing life. Supplements can help us to achieve that goal. Remember to use common sense and always eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to answer questions or give my opinion on any subject.
Michael J. Brown, RPh, BCPS, BCPP
Mr. Brown is a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy and psychiatry.
Feel free to send Michael a message using this link.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click on, or make a purchase through a third-party link.