Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a common cooking ingredient consumed by millions of people for its various health benefits. Some have used it to aid digestion. Others claim that it boosts their immune system. Diabetics also consume it to help control their blood sugar levels. Although research is conflicting on the exact reasons why ACV is healthy, consuming it regularly provides your body with rich vitamins like calcium and phosphorus.^[1] Plus, adding a little to your diet every day can help detox your body, clearing it of harmful bacteria.^[2] Whether you want to drink it plain or use other delicious and nutritious ingredients to enhance its flavor, this article will give you step-by-step information on how and why to drink ACV!

[Edit]things you should know

• Drink apple cider vinegar 3 times daily 20 minutes before each meal to help control your appetite.
• Always dissolve apple cider vinegar in water. Drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar can damage tooth enamel and your throat.
• Add other spices like cinnamon, cayenne and black pepper to help enhance the sharp, acidic flavor of apple cider vinegar.
• Use unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (called “mother”) instead of filtered products. Mum contains helpful probiotics to aid digestion.

[Edit]step

[Edit]drinking apple cider vinegar raw

1. Get fresh, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Check the vinegar section at your local supermarket for natural apple cider vinegar. Buy ACV with sediment that has settled at the bottom of the bottle. It is known as “the mother” and contains helpful enzymes and probiotics. Avoid consuming pasteurized ACV as it will not have the same properties as unfiltered vinegar and therefore will not provide the same health benefits.^[3]
   
   • You can also make your own apple cider vinegar at home by fermenting apples and sugar.
2. Dissolve apple vinegar in water. On its own, apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic and can damage your teeth and throat if taken alone.^[4] To prevent these risks, shake your bottle of ACV before measuring, pouring into glasses, and adding water.^[5]
   
   • You can use water of any temperature for your ACV. However, cool to room temperature water will probably be easiest to swallow.
3. Drink ACV 20 minutes before meals to control your glucose levels. Consume apple cider vinegar before your meals to help stimulate your digestive system and control your blood sugar levels while you eat. As you age, your body’s gastric juices are depleted, which makes digestion more and more difficult. ACV contains probiotics.^[6] Probiotics can promote gut health and serve as a replacement for these lost juices if you drink it on an empty stomach.
   
   • If you have been prescribed insulin or diuretic medications, consult a doctor before starting an ACV regimen. Apple cider vinegar might dilute the medicine.^[7]
4. Continue consuming apple cider vinegar 2-3 times daily. Consume ACV a few times a day to maintain the health benefits it provides. Spread your intake of ACV evenly throughout the day, taking it before each meal and giving it proper time to digest. A typical ACV schedule is to drink once when you wake up, once mid-morning and once at night, but choose what works best for you.^[8]
   
   • Some people use ACV specifically as part of a detox diet to help cleanse their gut of unhealthy bacteria. If you’re using ACV for this purpose, drink 2-3 times a day for two to four weeks, 3-4 times a year.
   • Discontinue your ACV regimen if you experience frequent nausea or indigestion.^[9]

[Edit]Apple Cider Vinegar Flavoring

1. Add sweetener to mask the acidity of ACV. Measure out a pinch of your favorite sugar or sweetener and add it to the apple cider vinegar to make your drink taste less sour. Mix the drink until the sugar is completely dissolved.
   
   • Replace the sweetener with honey for a natural sweetener.^[10]
2. Add cinnamon or cayenne pepper for added nutritional value. Sprinkle ground cinnamon or cayenne pepper into your ACV and stir until the drink is well mixed. Cinnamon and black pepper will add more pungent flavor to your drink and help lower your blood pressure.^[11]
   
   • For a wider range of flavors, try making an apple cider vinegar tea with ACV, raw honey, lemon juice and hot water. Then, add a cinnamon stick to this hot drink to amp up the flavor.
3. To make ACV more tart, add lemon juice to it. You can either extract the juice from raw lemons or use pre-prepared lemon juice. Adjust the amount of lemon juice you add to your drink depending on how sour you want it to taste.^[12]
   
   • The combination of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice also reduces harmful bacteria on various foods.^[13]
4. Add apple cider vinegar to salad dressings. Combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, 1 clove minced garlic, and salt in a bowl. Stir the dressing together until it is well combined. Dress the salad with about a third of your dressing and refrigerate the rest.^[14]
   
   • Use apple cider vinegar on salads to kill some harmful microorganisms (such as salmonella) found on salad greens.^[15]
   • You can also mix ACV into your favorite store-bought dressing.
5. Marinate meats and vegetables in apple cider vinegar. Create a mixture with a ratio of 2 parts cooking oil and 1 part apple cider vinegar in a resealable plastic bag. Add spices of your choice like red chili, salt and garlic powder. When the marinade is well mixed, add the meat or vegetables of your choice and let them soak in the bag for 3-4 hours before cooking.^[16]
   
   • Experiment with different flavours. If you’d like a more savory marinade, pour in each of Worcestershire and soy sauce.
   • Just avoid including whole grains like oats, stocky root vegetables like sweet potatoes, and other watery foods. While these items are great for treating acid reflux, they can reduce the acidity and health benefits of ACV.^[17]
6. Add apple cider vinegar to your soups or stews. Soups and stews are full of a variety of flavors that will neutralize the acidity of your apple cider vinegar. When you cook your next homemade soup, add ACV and stir it well. When you’ve finished your soup, be sure to drink the broth to get all the nutrients from your ACV.^[18]
   
   • Apple cider vinegar can be added to store-bought or homemade soups.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Warning

• Since it is very acidic, pure apple cider vinegar can erode tooth enamel. Be sure to dilute the vinegar before consuming it.^[19]
• Apple cider vinegar can erode the lining of your intestine, potentially causing physical harm and digestive problems. Consult your doctor before starting to take ACV.^[20]
• As of October 2018, there isn’t much research to support some of the health claims for apple cider vinegar, such as its effect on weight loss.^[21]
• If you are diabetic, apple cider vinegar might affect the way insulin or diuretic medicine works. Consult your doctor before starting a detox regimen.^[22]

[Edit]Reference

[Edit]quick summary