What Happens if You Drink Vinegar Every Day? Benefits, Side Effects

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Vinegar has been used in a wide variety of cuisines either to add flavor to dishes or preserve foods for a long.

Various kinds of vinegar are available in the market ranging from white color to darker colors. However, for the past several years, people have been using a type of vinegar called apple cider vinegar for various purposes including weight loss.

If you drink apple cider vinegar every day, you might shed some of those extra pounds. This, however, will happen if you keep your calorie consumption under check, burning more than you eat.

Some dark varieties of vinegar contain a good number of antioxidants, which are substances that have the qualities to prevent the signs of aging and guard against certain types of cancer.

4 possible health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar

Here are 4 possible health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar every day:

1. Lower cholesterol levels
   • Preliminary studies suggest that consuming a small amount of vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar before or with your regular meals can lower your bad or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
   • Lower LDL cholesterol levels decrease your risk of atherosclerosis, which is the building up of blockages in your arteries.
   • This helps prevent heart attacks.
2. Regulation of blood sugar level
   • Apple cider vinegar can improve your insulin sensitivity to sugar and keep your sugar under control.
   • Human studies have shown improvement in the regulation of sugar levels in people with diabetes. 
3. Weight loss
   • Apple cider vinegar can help in weight loss by suppressing your appetite and curbing your urge to eat more.
   • Though more studies are needed, drinking one to two teaspoons of vinegar one time a day can keep you feeling full for a long and thus decrease your hunger cravings.
4. Improved reproductive function in PCOS
   • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the common causes of irregular menstrual cycles in women. A problem with insulin sensitivity is one of the factors associated with PCOS.
   • There are reports of patients with PCOS getting normal menstrual cycles by drinking vinegar daily, possibly due to improved insulin sensitivity and ovulatory function. However, more human studies are needed.

What precautions should you take if you drink vinegar every day?

Though drinking apple cider vinegar is safe for most people, it may lead to side effects if not taken with precautions. Here is what you should do.

1. Do not brush your teeth immediately
   • It is recommended to avoid brushing your teeth immediately after drinking vinegar.
     • This is because vinegar can cause erosion of the minerals, which form the enamel of your teeth.
     • Brushing your teeth right after drinking vinegar can contribute to the process.
     • This can lead to cavities and tooth decay.
     • Remember to keep a gap of at least 30 minutes between vinegar consumption and you brushing your teeth.
   • To prevent the vinegar from coming in contact with your teeth, you can use a straw to drink the vinegar.
2. Drinking vinegar in moderation
   • To be on the safer side, avoid having more than 30 mL of vinegar in a day. 
     • Usually, 15 to 30 mL each day is the recommended dose.
   • It is advisable to start with a lower dose, 5 mL for the first few days, and observe how your body responds to it and then, gradually increment it.
   • Some people may experience digestion issues even after drinking a 10 to 15 mL dose of vinegar.
   • Starting in smaller doses is a good idea to know if vinegar suits you.
3. Be careful if you have GERD
   • Large doses of vinegar are known to trigger reflux in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and aggravate peptic ulcers.
     • So, it is better to dilute it with water and then drink it or avoid it if you suffer from these conditions.
   • In any case, ask your doctor before you start drinking vinegar if you have any of these conditions.
4. Talk to your doctor if you have diabetes
   • If you are on antidiabetic medications, taking vinegar may cause your blood sugar levels to go extremely low. This can make you dizzy and even faint in severe cases.
   • It is recommended to ask your doctor if you are planning to make vinegar as part of your daily diet.