Fermented apple juice, also known as Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), is becoming popular not just in India, but across the globe due to its health and beauty benefits. Along with incorporating it in cooking, people use ACV as a medicine as well as for skincare. To understand more benefits of nutrient-rich ACV, the ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to Nutritionist and fitness Expert Dr. Mitali Chand Sahu. She informed us that ACV helps in weight loss, as well as in controlling diabetes, high cholesterol levels and heart diseases if consumed as per expert’s instructions.
Furthermore, she says that ACV has many vitamins, enzymes, proteins and good bacteria present in it. Not only this, it also helps in the absorption of essential nutrients in the body. It contains antibacterial properties which provide relief from skin-related problems like acne.
However, many times, as soon as women get to know about the benefits of ACV, they blindside the proper quantity in which it should be used and end up experiencing more damage than benefits. Therefore, here is the correct way in which it should be used.
How To Consume ACV?
Before consuming or using ACV, it is very important to know about its proper use. Actually, it can be either consumed or used externally. Yet, in both conditions, it is important that ACV is used in a diluted manner, i.e. mixing it with water. The reason behind this is that the amount of acid in it is very high, which can harm one’s health and even skin (if applied externally).
- If you wish to consume it, add 1-2tsp of ACV to one glass of water and consume it half an hour before the meal or one hour after the meal.
- For external application, mix vinegar and water in the ratio of 1:3 and then apply it on skin or hair.
Note: Initially, ACV should be used in small quantities only (not more than 5-10ml).
What To Keep In Mind?
Since ACV is a fermented liquid and is acidic, here are a few things that one must keep in mind:
- ACV should always be consumed in diluted form (with water). Because of its acidic nature, if consumed in pure form, it can harm overall health, especially the intestines.
- ACV should never be consumed on an empty stomach, as it can be harmful.
- Do not consume it right before bedtime, because it can damage your digestive system. If you want to consume it during the night time, ensure you consume it at least one hour before sleeping.
- Excess consumption of ACV can result in causing burning sensations in the stomach. Therefore, it is better to consume only 2tsp a day.
- ACV has a pungent smell and sniffing it before using can cause irritation in the lungs.
- Application of ACV directly, in an undiluted form can cause skin irritation, redness and itching.
