The vinegar diet is a weight loss method in which you need to drink water with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice dissolved in it every day. There is a theory that this is how ancient beauties lost weight. This diet is sometimes called the “Cleopatra diet.”
Recently, this method has become increasingly popular. Together with nutritionist Anna Garnova
Let's figure out how effective and safe it is.
Why alkalize water? How pH levels affect the body
How apple cider vinegar helps you lose weight
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been scientifically proven to help you lose weight. Not only does it increase satiety and insulin sensitivity, but it also improves digestion and bowel function. Here are the reasons why we recommend you try apple cider vinegar for weight loss:
- Low calorie content
Apple cider vinegar is low in calories. One teaspoon of apple cider vinegar contains only 1 calorie. This way, you won't run the risk of adding too many calories to your diet. The fewer calories you consume, the less likely your body is to store the extra calories as fat.
- Reduces Serum Lipid Levels
The scientists designed an experiment to document the effects of ACV on total cholesterol, serum triglyceride levels, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant levels. They found that mice supplemented with ACV developed better immunity, lower serum lipid levels, increased levels of antioxidants, and inhibited lipid peroxidation.
All of the parameters used in this study are directly or indirectly related to weight loss and indicate that drinking apple cider vinegar may help improve your overall health.
- Increases Satiety and Reduces Blood Sugar Levels
In another study, researchers fed a group of lab rats apple cider vinegar and found that they lost weight and reduced their food intake. They also showed a decrease in serum glucose and bad cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL cholesterol levels.
- Reduces Obesity-Induced Oxidative Stress
Obesity causes oxidative stress, which can lead to inflammation. A study found that apple cider vinegar may help reduce obesity-induced oxidative stress in laboratory animals. This reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases and protects the heart.
- Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin is a hormone responsible for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. When enough insulin is not produced by the body or insulin is not detected by cells, it results in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively.
Type 2 diabetes is closely related to genes, sedentary lifestyle and hormonal imbalance. Drinking apple cider vinegar helps improve insulin sensitivity. This means your body's cells will be able to effectively absorb and regulate glucose, thereby lowering blood sugar levels and reducing fat storage.
- Helps Normalize High Blood Pressure
Poor dietary habits such as consumption of saturated fats, fatty foods, high-sodium foods, high-sugar foods, and high levels of stress can lead to high blood pressure. ACV has been used for centuries to normalize high blood pressure.
Consuming two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with two teaspoons of honey and a glass of warm water can help normalize blood pressure. When your blood pressure returns to normal, your cardiovascular system will function better, all your cells will be able to receive oxygen, and your stress levels will decrease. This, in turn, can help you lose weight.
- Improves Gut Health and Bowel Movement
Tips for using wine vinegar
The properties of wine (grape) vinegar are also no different from other types except taste and smell. As written in the “Canon of Medicine” by Ibn Sina (Avicenna), ca. 1020 AD, all foods containing acetic acid are blood thinners. In the modern understanding, this means an antithrombotic effect, due to which the product can be recommended for the prevention of:
- atherosclerosis;
- arterial hypertension and other vascular diseases;
- diabetes mellitus type 2.
The product is useful subject to moderate consumption, normal gastric acidity and the absence of gastrointestinal diseases.
Red and white wine vinegar
Why is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) better than any other?
The answer is relatively simple - ACV has many more health benefits compared to other vinegars. It works almost like an antibacterial agent, and weight loss is just one of its purported benefits.
It is especially beneficial for controlling diabetes, improving heart health, and reducing high cholesterol. In addition to all these excellent benefits, it prevents free radical damage, which can prevent aging and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. It can also help in improving the efficiency of your digestive system and prevent any gastrointestinal problems.
But how to use it correctly? Here's what you need to do.
Useful properties of vinegar
The benefit of this product lies in its rich composition. It contains a large amount of minerals, vitamins and other microelements. Among them: potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, E and C. Each of the components plays a specific role:
- amino acids regulate metabolism;
- magnesium strengthens the nervous system and immunity;
- calcium is a nutrient for bone tissue;
- iron supports blood clotting;
- beta-carotene cleanses the body of harmful substances;
- hydrochloric acid improves the functioning of the digestive system.
Thus, apple cider vinegar is a very useful product that can not only improve health, but also help with weight loss. Thanks to its composition and regular use, it has the following effects:
- improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract - accelerates metabolism, which contributes to the rapid breakdown of incoming substances;
- reduces appetite, dulling the feeling of hunger;
- improves the condition of the digestive system, fights pathogenic bacteria;
- saturates the body with useful minerals;
- improves skin condition - the product contains many antioxidants that remove harmful substances from the intestines.
What's the Best Way to Take Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss?
The easiest way to consume apple cider vinegar is to dilute it with water. But if you want to speed up your weight loss, drink apple cider vinegar with honey.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 glass of warm water
How to Prepare
- Add ACV and honey to a glass of warm water. Mix well and drink.
Why It Works
Apple cider vinegar with hot water and honey has the same effect as honey and lemon with hot water. It is an excellent antioxidant and works as a detoxifier. For a healthy start to the day, look no further than this healthy drink.
As with most weight loss products, anything in excess can be harmful. Find out how much ACV you should take to lose weight.
Should You Take Apple Cider Vinegar Pills for Weight Loss?
Always consult a doctor or nutritionist before taking any pills or supplements. Apple cider vinegar is an acquired taste, and many people avoid it and even give it up altogether because they can't handle its strong flavor. Capsules provide an alternative because you get all the benefits of vinegar without the harsh taste.
However, they can be quite deceiving with the amount of vinegar included in them. Always check the ingredients listed on the label.
Listed below are other health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar.
How to Speed up Weight Loss
Who wouldn't want to lose weight in the shortest possible time? We have listed some simple tips that can help improve your results.
One of the most important aspects of losing weight is the diet you follow. If you eat a lot of junk food, you are effectively ruining any chance you have of losing weight. Junk food contains a lot of fat and very little nutritional value. Processed foods typically contain large amounts of artificial flavors, sugar, fats, and preservatives. Although they may taste good, they can cause significant health problems in the long term. Hence, avoid junk and processed foods.
Tips and Precautions
- Organic, natural ACV is the best option available. Always choose it over processed varieties.
- If you are taking ACV capsules or tablets, check the ingredients. Some tablets are altered and have microscopic traces of ACV, which reduce its benefits.
- Consuming excessive amounts of apple cider vinegar may contribute to the development of hypokalemia. This means your body is low in potassium and can lead to osteoporosis. It also affects bone health by decreasing bone density. If you have osteoporosis, stay away from ACV.
- Always consult your doctor before starting any new diet regimen. If your doctor has prescribed diuretics or medications for diabetes or heart disease, be sure to check to see if ACV will interact with any of them.
- Consume ACV only after diluting with water. It has a high acid content and combining it with other liquids can damage the enamel on your teeth.
- Recommended doses vary from person to person. Be sure to consult with your doctor or nutritionist to find out what works for you.
- Aerobic exercise complements the weight loss benefits of ACV and helps improve overall health.
- If you consume vinegar raw, that is, undiluted, it can lead to stomach upset, nausea, indigestion, and heartburn. The same applies to taking it in tablet form, with the additional symptoms of vomiting and sore throat.
Conclusion
ACV is unparalleled as a tool for combating weight loss, boosting immunity, and improving overall health. Pair it with the 8-Hour Diet or Intermittent Fasting and you may start seeing results in no time. Be sure to include ACV in your diet after consulting your doctor and nutritionist.
Contraindications and side effects
Losing weight with apple cider vinegar has a number of contraindications. If the drink is consumed internally, the vinegar diet cannot be followed:
- pregnant, lactating women, teenagers;
- people with gastritis, nephritis, ulcerative colitis, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis;
- in the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
If you choose to lose weight using apple vinegar, using baths, wraps, and rubbing, consider the following contraindications:
- individual intolerance;
- allergy;
- open wounds, rehabilitation period after surgery;
- varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, hypertension;
- gynecological, oncological, cardiovascular diseases;
- problems with the kidneys, thyroid gland;
- pregnancy;
- increased sensitivity of the skin.
In addition to the above contraindications, side effects may occur during weight loss, which, if ignored, will lead to the appearance of various diseases. In this case, it is important to stop using the vinegar solution and consult a doctor. Side effects include:
- caries;
- heartburn;
- manifestations of dyspepsia in the form of vomiting, nausea, pain in the epigastric region.
