Apple cider vinegar has become popular in recent years for a multitude of health benefits.
It is made from, of course, apples in a long, slow fermentation process.
This leaves it with antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities from a range of bioactive components like acetic acid, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin and caffeic acid.
As well as drizzling over salads, the vinegar has become trendy to drink before a meal as a weight loss method.
Research has found it can help fat burn by reducing sugar cravings, and Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston recently revealed she consumes it every morning.
But in addition to helping you slim down, it is thought to be beneficial for three common health conditions.
Heart disease
It is one of the leading killers in the UK, but risk factors for heart disease and stroke – such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol – have been shown to be improved by apple cider vinegar.
A study published in the Journal of Food Science said: “Polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, which is present in high levels in apple cider vinegar, could inhibit oxidation of LDLs and improve health by preventing cardiovascular diseases.”
It was shown the acetic acid in the vinegar reduce blood pressure.
Type 2 diabetes
The vinegar could also help sufferers manage blood sugar.
People with diabetes have too great an amount of blood sugar in their system.
However, researchers discovered apple cider vinegar improved patients’ insulin sensitivity – that’s insulin’s ability to bring sugar out of the bloodstream and into the body’s cells.
A 2004 study also discovered it lessened the rise of blood sugar and insulin when patients were given insulin- and glucose-spiking foods, such as a bagel and orange juice.
Heartburn
Acid reflux can cause irritation which leads to heartburn and indigestion.
This is an unpleasant sensation that happens when acid from the stomach rises up into the oesophagus – food pipe – and throat.
The latest research suggests that it is caused by there not being enough acid to digest food.
This means that drinking apple cider vinegar, which contains acetic acid, could help.