Dangers of Apple Cider Vinegar

Proponents consider Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) a different charm for losing weight to controlling blood sugar levels. However, every charm is not for everyone. Digital well-being has escalated the benefits of apple cider vinegar without solid evidence. Most studies have shown small proof of health effects, but since it is acidic, it could be troublesome.Let's understand how Apple Cider Vinegar is made.

Making of Apple Cider Vinegar

Cider is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting apples, and vinegar is a sour liquid made by fermenting cider using bacteria.

When the sugar content in the apple is converted into alcohol using yeast, bacteria are then added to it to ferment the alcohol into acetic acid. By percentage, acetic acid is a weak acid as it varies between 5-6% in apple cider vinegar, but it has reasonably acidic properties.

Furthermore, ACV has small amounts of minerals and vitamins added to it, confirmed by the National Library of Medicine.

People have been using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for many years and consider it the best remedy to have at home to fight against germs.

If you have consumed it in the past and have not encountered any adverse symptoms, then it is your choice to continue.

However, there is not much evidence to support the inclusion of apple cider vinegar in a regular diet. But you can look for the following symptoms that can happen to your body.

Potential effects of Apple Cider Vinegar

• Erosion of Tooth Enamel
  It has been found in studies that acidic foods cause damage to tooth enamel. Enamel erosion is not curable besides cosmetic repairs like bonding and filling.
  Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic, and overconsumption or undiluted vinegar can definitely damage your enamel. You lose 1-20% of minerals from your teeth in 4-5 hours.
  Eroded tooth enamel makes your teeth more sensitive to other foods. To avoid it, wash your mouth immediately after consuming an acidic diet.
• Indigestion or Nausea
  Never drink Apple Cider Vinegar with an empty stomach, as it can cause indigestion or make you feel nauseated.
  Due to indigestion, appetite and food intake decrease, and your stomach stay acidic for a long time.
• Uncomfortable Bloating
  Apple Cider Vinegar delays stomach emptying. It lowers the rate at which food enters the lower digestive system leaving the stomach. You may feel fuller for longer, and it can cause gas and bloat.
  It can also worsen Gastroparesis, a condition in which food stays in the stomach for a long time and does not empty at an optimal rate. Diabetic patients often have the symptoms of Gastroparesis.
  Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar can significantly hold the food for a long time in the stomach.
  A healthier option is to increase water intake and fibre-rich foods
• Esophageal Burns
  Being acidic in nature, Apple Cider Vinegar can cause damage to your oesophagus. A muscular tube from which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
  A study showed that a woman experienced burning in her throat for six months after an ACV capsule got stuck in her throat for 30 minutes.
  Suppose you are suggested to drink Apple Cider Vinegar. In that case, it is necessary to dilute the Apple Cider Vinegar in 8 ounces (1 Cup) of water before drinking it.
• Skin Irritations
  Some people apply apple cider vinegar directly on the exposed skin to get smoother skin.
  The acidic nature of ACV causes burns when applied to the skin if used in more than adequate quantities.
  If you need more clarification on treatment, always contact a dermatologist before applying anything to your skin.
• Bone Loss and Low Potassium Levels
  Hypokalemia occurs when potassium levels drop in the blood. There's no research result that Apple Cider Vinegar lowers potassium levels in the blood. Still, a woman suffered from hypokalemia after consuming it for an extended period.
  This 28-year-old woman who consumed 8 ounces of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water for six years experienced low potassium levels and bone loss (Osteoporosis).
  Osteoporosis is a disease in which the body produces too little or loses too many bones. It is a very rare disease in younger people.
  Low potassium level leads to weakness and fatigue, constipation, and irregular heartbeats.
  Apple Cider Vinegar may have health benefits, but it has yet to be scientifically proven on a large scale. It is advisable to consult a nutritionist/ physician before relying on Apple Cider Vinegar for better health.