To say that cardiovascular disease impacts the quality of life would be an understatement. Sadly, though this ailment is no longer limited to the elderly—rather, it has started showing off its colours at an earlier age now. And the millennial lifestyle with bad food habits and long working hours is to blame.
Thankfully though, there are many superfoods out there can help you manage your risk of heart disease and other lifestyle-related ailments. One of them, happens to be apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar has been around for a while and is known for its weight loss properties. But that’s not the only thing that it can do. It has a plethora of health benefits to offer, that include taking care of your heart health and diabetes risk.
Here are few to begin with:
1. It can help keep blood sugar in check
The USP of apple cider vinegar is keeping your blood sugar levels in control. But does it manage this feat? Well, a number of research papers suggest that drinking diluted apple cider vinegar can reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, which in turn cuts your risk of type-2 diabetes.
2. It can help you lose weight
And for this, we’ve got apple cider vinegar’s blood sugar-regulating powers to help. According to a study from the journal Nature, consuming apple cider vinegar with meals high on carbohydrates can help you feel fuller for longer, thus helping you reduce your calorie intake through the course of the day.
3. It can keep your cholesterol levels under control
Triglycerides and LDL (aka bad cholesterol) are not your heart’s best friend. According to a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods, apple cider vinegar increases the levels of HDL or good cholesterol in the body, while also reducing LDL and triglycerides.
4. It’s great for your skin and hair
You might have seen a lot of haircare and skincare products flaunting apple cider vinegar as the lead ingredient. You see, this superfood has antifungal and antibacterial properties which makes it a great bet for people with acne-prone skin. Moreover, it can also give your hair some shine and keep frizz in control.
How can you consume apple cider vinegar though?
By always diluting it. Since it contains acetic acid, it is important to dilute one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water before consuming it. Drinking undiluted vinegar can burn the throat and cause damage to the tooth enamel.
Even if you’re thinking of a topical application for your skin and hair, diluting it is essential lest you’re up for rashes and burns on your skin and scalp.
Please note: If you have diabetes or any other underlying health conditions, please consult with your physician before consuming apple cider vinegar, as it may interact with your existing medication and impact your health.
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