From lowering your blood sugar to clearing up your skin, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can do wonders for your body from head to toe. Apple cider vinegar doesn’t look very pretty, and it has an overpowering acidic taste. Instead of drinking the ACV straight, you can drink by diluting its taste. You can dilute straight-up ACV with some water, in a cup of tea, or even in your smoothies. Some people pair it with olive oil to make a salad dressing, in order to avoid its taste.
By drinking ACV before bedtime, you can significantly improve several areas of your health. Some of the benefits of drinking ACV are:
1. Lower Blood Sugar
Apple cider vinegar has shown great promise in improving insulin sensitivity and helping lower blood sugar responses after meals. High blood sugar can be a problem in people who don’t have diabetes. It is believed to be a major cause of various chronic diseases.
High blood sugar is one of the leading causes of insomnia, and it also impedes the body from burning fat.
Apple cider vinegar containing lactic acid or acetic acid can lower blood sugar (glucose) by helping store excess glucose in the liver. This reduces the body’s rate of glucose production and absorption. It has also been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, which can lower your blood sugar. Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime can reduce fasting blood sugar in the morning. If you’re currently taking blood-sugar-lowering medications, check with your doctor before using this natural remedy.
2. Sinus Relief
A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. Infections with viruses or bacteria or allergies cause the majority of cases of sinusitis. Most cases of sinusitis start off with the inflammation from a virus such as the common cold. Sinus symptoms include pain in the forehead or between the eyes, toothache, feeling of fullness in the mid-face, stuffy nose, and congestion. More severe infections may lead to a yellow or green discharge from the nose, sore throat, headache, fever, and an overall feeling of fatigue. Rather than reaching for an over-the-counter decongestant, sinus can be treated by drinking Apple Cider Vinegar before bedtime.
3. Reduce Weight
Studies suggest that vinegar can increase feelings of fullness and help people eat fewer calories, which leads to weight loss. Apple cider vinegar can help control blood sugar, this could help manage cravings and portion control, potentially leading to fewer calories consumed. You can drink a tablespoon of ACV diluted in eight ounces of water. Apple cider vinegar has been shown to be most effective when paired with a diet full of starchy foods, as the acid slows down the digestion of starch.
4. Hiccups
Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle. As the muscle contracts repeatedly, the opening between the vocal cords snaps shut to check the inflow of air and makes the hiccup sound. Irritation of the nerves that extend from the neck to the chest can cause hiccups. Some causes of hiccups include: Eating too quickly and swallowing air along with foods. Eating too much spicy foods or drinking too much (carbonated beverages or alcohol) can distend the stomach and cause irritation of the diaphragm, which can cause hiccups.
Some experts say that apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which can help soothe intestinal spasms. For this, you’ll need to drink one undiluted teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
5. Bad Breath
Apple cider vinegar may have antibacterial and antifungal properties. A typical cause of bad breath is Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Bacteria don’t grow well in acidic environments. So, if you’re prone to bad morning breath, drink one tablespoon of ACV with eight ounces of water and a slice of lemon before bed, will keep those bacteria away and let you wake up more refreshed.
6. Upset Stomach
Whether you’re gassy, constipated, nauseous, or have indigestion, try this natural remedy to make an upset stomach feel better without medicine. A mixture of one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, one cup warm water, and one tablespoon honey will ease indigestion and may alleviate cramping and gas in your upset stomach. It can also lessen discomfort caused by heartburn.
7. Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is also known as heartburn, acid indigestion, or pyrosis. It happens when some of the acidic stomach contents go back up into the esophagus. Burning pain or discomfort in the upper chest and mid chest, possibly involving the neck and throat, that may worsen when lying down. Some foods that trigger reflux includes mint, fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, onions, garlic, coffee, tea, chocolate, and alcohol.
Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar helps balance your stomach pH by neutralizing stomach acid. Mix a tablespoon of ACV into a glass of water and drink it about an hour before going to bed. Apple Cider Vinegar has anti-bacterial properties. Its acidity helps kill bacteria that live in the back of your throat.
8. Restless Legs
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. Symptoms commonly occur in the late afternoon or evening hours, and are often most severe at night when a person is resting, such as sitting or lying-in bed. They also may occur when someone is inactive and sitting for extended periods. It generally worsens with age and can disrupt sleep. Getting up and moving around helps the unpleasant feeling temporarily go away. It is probably a sign that you are not getting enough potassium in your diet. By adding two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to eight ounces of water, you can quickly boost your potassium levels and avoid these annoying issues.