How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day Changed my Body
About 4 months ago I started drinking Apple Cider Vinegar every morning. I am going to share my experience and how I've seen a change in my body. If you want to read more of the science behind this I would recommend checking out This Article by Natural Living Ideas. They link to many of the scientific studies that have been completed on the subject. They list out six main ways that Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV) helps weight loss, and I will recount my experience on each point below.
Last summer, I was excited to pull out my summer clothes and start enjoying the sunshine. I was (unpleasantly) surprised to see that most of my clothes no longer fit. I think I had been in denial about the fact that I had been gaining weight - until that point. I didn't get it... my exercise and foot habits hadn't changed! This moment finally made me realize that I had to switch things up. I tried a combination of things, including eating better and starting to drink Apple Cider Vinegar. I had read quite a few articles online about it's benefits and was ready to give it a try.
This is me about 4 months ago, and me today. You can see in the picture on the left, I look bloated and inflamed, where the picture on the right shows a more toned and healthy version of myself. You can even see a difference in my face and how much extra weight and bloat I was carrying.
1. Balances Blood Sugar Levels
Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is one of the biggest keys to unlocking better overall health. Particiapnts of a study by Arizona State University were given a placebo drink or an ACV drink before eating a white bagel and glass of orange juice (a meal guaranteed to skyrocket blood sugar levels) it was found that those who ingested the vinegar experienced improved insulin sensitivity – by between 19% and 34%!
To be honest, this wasn't something that I actively noticed, but I can understand the logic of how it can affect blood sugar levels. I should note that I do not have any type of diabetes and thus would be less likely to pay attention to spikes in blood sugar levels.
I should note that it is important to purchase unpasteurized, raw apple cider vinegar that comes with the "Mother" to get the full effects from the product. I personally use BRAGG.
2. Improve Satiety
Satiety refers to the feeling of being full and satisfied after a meal. Apple cider vinegar can help in this respect too, when taken before or with food.When participants in a 2005 study were given varying levels of ACV along with carbohydrates in the form of white bread, the participants who had the most apple cider vinegar reported they felt fuller and were more satisfied after their meal than the others.
This point is something I can personally attest to! I have noticed a big difference in how hungry I feel before and after sipping Apple Cider Vinegar. I have found a noticeable difference in appetite if I drink 1 tbs of ACV with 8 oz of water about 15 minutes before a meal.
3. Reduces Body Fat
Quite a bit of research shows that simply adding apple cider vinegar to the diet can reduce fat accumulation. A recent study showed that when obese individuals were given daily doses of vinegar over a 12 week period, they enjoyed reduced belly fat, waist circumference, lower blood triglycerides and weight loss.
This has been one of the biggest benefits that I have witnessed. Drinking ACV on a regular basis when combined with eating clean foods and engaging in regular exercise has seemed to reduce to amount of body fat I store - especially in my midsection.
4. It's Probiotic for Gut Health
The human gut is a complex system which exerts a great deal of control over the health of the whole body. In fact, it houses around 80% of our immune system.Improving the health of the gut has been found to reduce low level inflammation and may even help prevent obesity.
I was spending quite a bit of money on probiotic supplements, kefir and other ways to improve my gut health. Although I think supplements can be a great way to accomplish this- at over $1 a pill - ACV is certainly cheaper. Gut Health is a difficult thing to measure and it can be hard to tell whether your supplement investment is really paying off. I tend to base my health on how I feel. My gut seems to feel pretty good when I am regularly consuming Apple Cider Vinegar, and so I have continued to choose that over more expensive probiotic solutions.
5. Promotes Better Sleep for Hormone Regulation
Apple cider vinegar in water, sometimes with a little added honey, is an old folk remedy for insomnia. ow will better sleep help you lose weight, you ask? There is plenty of evidence to show that a good night’s sleep can reduce excess body fat. Sleep deprivation lowers levels of leptin – the appetite suppressing hormone, while increasing ghrelin, the hormone responsible for stimulating feelings of hunger.
Improved sleep is not a side benefit I have directly noticed - but it could be because I am regularly getting about 6 hours of sleep a night. I get up at 5:15 for work, and lets face it ...going to bed at 9:15 is just tough. Getting more sleep is something I am actively working on however because I realize the benefits of getting a good nights rest every night.
6. May Encourage other Healthy Habits
Taking the first step to a healthier lifestyle can be the hardest. But once we’ve made the switch, each little step we take gets easier – and leads us closer to our goal.
Yes, Yes and Yes!! Although it may sound cliche, I have often found that fitness is a snowball effect. Once I start improving fitness in part of my life - whether it be better nutrition or changing up my exercise routine - I notice that it is easier to improve in other areas. If I begin to see changes to my body, it encourages me to keep going and get even more aggressive with other areas of fitness. Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar each day is an easy way to get started on your journey to health and may encourage you to eat healthier and continue your fitness journey.
Most bottles of Apple Cider Vinegar will cost about $3-4 depending on your grocery store and will last for quite a while. It is a small investment and something that is accessible for most people to try.
It may take a little time to build up to the level of desired ACV daily intake. I would recommend starting with 1 tsp - 1-3 time a day and then increasing dosage until you are consuming about 2 TBS a day.
I should note that I am not a medical professional and so if you have a sensitive stomach, it may be a good idea to consult with your doctor first. Also, it is important that the vinegar is digested in a dulled form so as not to harm to esophagus.
I hope that you found this post helpful and that it inspires you to try something new. To be honest, I felt a little vulnerable posting my before and after picture, but I feel pretty safe sharing to my Steemit family. Thanks for following along in my journey.