If so, how should we consume it, when should we consume it, and is it actually necessary for losing weight?
Continuing with our topic of weight loss promoters, today I'd like to talk about apple cider vinegar.
If you read my last posts on this this topic, then you've already heard about coffee and ginger as weight loss promoters.
But if you missed these post, you can read them here in the blog or on my Facebook page.
Today we're gonna explore apple cider vinegar as a weight loss promoter.
But before we begin, let's first understand what is apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is a byproduct of fermented, crushed apples.
What gives apple cider vinegar its health and weight loss benefits is its acetic acid content.
This acetic acid has been found to promote weight loss by:
1. Accelerating burning of body fat.
2. Suppressing the appetite.
3. Reducing blood glucose both after fasting and after a meal high in carbohydrates.
4. Increasing insulin sensitivity, so it requires less insulin to bring sugar from the blood into the cells.
5. Reducing blood fat (triglycerides) and LDL
With these encouraging findings, it's only natural that you'd want to add apple cider vinegar for daily use, in order to accelerate fat burning and weight loss.
So, what's the right way to do that?
For the purpose of losing weight, it's recommended to drink one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in one glass of water at the following times:
1. In the morning to balance the blood sugar and suppress the appetite.
2. About a half an hour before every meal to balance blood sugar levels and reduce the appetite.
3. After dinner to increase insulin sensitivity and to help move through cravings for a little night nibbling.
Warning regarding daily consumption of apple cider vinegar:
1. Drinking apple cider vinegar should be done only through a straw and followed by rinsing the mouth with water to avoid damage of the tooth enamel.
2. Don't lay down after drinking the apple cider vinegar to avoid burning your esophagus.
3. Never consume apple cider vinegar undiluted so as not to burn your mouth, throat, or esophagus.
4. The daily amount of apple cider vinegar used for weight loss is 1–2 tablespoons (15-30 ml). This amount is best to be spread out over 2–3 doses throughout the day and should be consumed before meals.
5. Do not take more than 1 tablespoon (15 ml) at a time, because taking too much at one sitting may cause nausea. It's also best to start off with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) to see how you tolerate it.
6. Consuming a large amount (237 ml) every day over many years can be dangerous and has been linked to low blood potassium levels and osteoporosis.
7. Drug interaction – If you take medication, especially Digoxin (Lanoxin), insulin, or diuretics, consult with your physician before starting to use apple cider vinegar.
What do I think about using apple cider vinegar to promote weight loss?
Personally I'm not a big fan of using apple cider vinegar as a weight loss promoter.
As someone who tends to consume food in its most natural and unprocessed form, apple cider vinegar feels too processed for me. Adding to that, apple cider vinegar is not a food, but a sort of a drug or a very concentrated substance that should be consumed carefully, making it even less appealing.
I love food and I like to eat food. This doesn't apply to all kinds of additional substances, which can't really be defined as food.
When I eat, it's my hunger sensation that determines how much to eat and when to eat.
When I eat a mango, for instance, I don't need to measure a tablespoon of it and to dilute it with water to avoid hurting myself. I just eat the mango and then another one and another one until I feel satisfied.
Of course this is not the case with stimulants and concentrated substances. These are consumed independently of your hunger levels, and their doses are determined based on some point between their efficient dose and their toxic dose.
In addition, adding apple cider vinegar to your nutrition, without making a fundamental change to your diet, won't bring the desired weight loss results.
On the other hand, once you make a real change to your life style, you'll find that there's no real need for all these weight loss promoters. You can then joyfully lose that weight without introducing such aggressive substances to your body.
The only reason I find to encourage the consumption of apple cider vinegar is that sometimes we need a starting point from which to begin. In this case, apple cider vinegar can act as an initial incentive to start the change towards a healthier life style. By reducing the appetite and balancing blood sugar it can assist in better controlling your eating.
So if adding apple cider vinegar to your routine will act as this starting point, then go for it. It will be a wonderful beginning.
But always remember that apple cider vinegar is not a magic potion and therefore it won't do the work for you. If choosing to use it, use it wisely.
And enjoy!