What are apple cider vinegar tablets used for?

If there’s one thing humans love, it’s turning something perfectly normal into a trend. From waist trainers to detox teas, we can’t get enough of new and exciting ways to do what our bodies have been doing since the beginning of time… processing food! Enter apple cider vinegar tablets – the latest health craze that promises more benefits than you can shake a stick at. But what exactly are they used for? And is there any truth to these claims? Let’s dive in!

The Basics: What is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

Before we talk about ACV tablets, let’s discuss what this mystical substance actually is. Basically, ACV is fermented apples, which sounds gross but apparently tastes great on salads. During the fermentation process, bacteria turns sugars from crushed apples into acetic acid – aka the stuff that makes vinegar sour.

Why would anyone care about fermented apple juice, you may ask? Because some studies suggest that consuming small amounts of ACV with the mother (aka live bacteria and yeast) can have some positive impact on your health.

So What Are These “Tablets” You Speak Of?

If you’re anything like me (and I hope for your sake you’re not), then drinking straight up vinegar doesn’t sound very appealing. Enter ACV tablets- capsules filled with concentrated apple cider vinegar powder meant to be swallowed like any other supplement.

The idea being that instead of trying to choke down spoonfuls of liquid 3 times a day, you can simply pop an orange pill with breakfast and reap all those sweet acidic rewards.

But what ARE those rewards?! That’s where things start getting a bit murky…

Claim #1: Weight Loss

One of the main reasons people reach for ACV tablets as a weight loss aid is because preliminary studies show it might help suppress appetite or boost metabolism. But hold your horses, folks! Before you start stocking up for your own at-home “Biggest Loser” challenge, let’s take a closer look.

The studies conducted on this topic have been largely inconclusive- with some participants showing slight weight loss while others show no difference at all. And most of the positive results found were associated with ingesting actual liquid vinegar, not pills.

So while there might be SOME merit to the notion that ACV could aid in weight loss efforts – there is by no means enough evidence to suggest it should replace traditional healthy eating and exercise routines!

Claim #2: Lowering Blood Sugar

Another popular claim regarding apple cider vinegar tablets is that they can help regulate blood sugar levels – which would be great news for diabetics and pre-diabetics alike! The theory behind this one is that consuming acetic acid before meals helps reduce glucose spikes after those meals, leading to more stable blood sugar levels overall.

There are some small scale studies out there supporting this idea – including a 2018 study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research which showed significant improvement in post-meal blood glucose numbers for subjects who consumed ACV prior to their meal compared to control groups (who drank water).

BUT- it’s important to note that these types of studies often only include a few dozen people at most and may not be reflective of larger populations or produce long-term effects. So yes- taking an ACV tablet before dinner MIGHT help keep your sugars stable… but just like everything else on this list so far we need more research!

Claim #3: Improved Digestion

This brings us back full circle- remember how I said ACV has live bacteria? Those probiotics can actually do wonders for our gut health if consumed regularly. And good digestion = better nutrient absorption = all sorts of other potential benefits!

Proponents say taking an ACV supplement daily can improve symptoms of acid reflux, bloating and even IBS. While there is very little scientific evidence to support these claims, it’s not uncommon for people to see symptom relief once they start consuming fermented foods or drinks.

So while we can’t really make any definitive statements about ACV tablets and digestion – the idea that probiotics are good for gut health is generally supported by many health experts!

Claim #4: A Shiny New You?

I’ll admit this one is a bit far fetched- but some champion ACV as an all around “beauty booster”. Apparently diluting apple cider vinegar in water and using it topically can help reduce acne and skin blemishes. It CAN also be used as a natural hair rinse to improve shine and bounce.

While most of these benefits likely come from the acidic properties of vinegar (which can help strip excess oil buildup on skin or hair) – there has been no concrete research produced connecting ACV directly to clearer skin/stronger hair/etc.

But if putting gross smelling liquid on your face before bed helps you sleep better at night- who am I to judge!

Potential Risks

Before diving headfirst into ANY new supplement regimen- it’s important to consider potential side effects or interactions that could arise from daily use. In terms of apple cider vinegar specifically:

Digestive Issues: Drinking straight up apple cider vinegar has been known cause heartburn, diarrhea or upset stomach in some people. Taking concentrated tablets may have similar effects depending on your body’s reaction!

Tooth Damage: Consuming high amounts of acidic substances regularly (including lemon juice/vinegar/etc) can cause tooth enamel erosion over time. This should NOT be ignored!!

Medication Interactions: If you take diabetes medication/laxatives/diuretics/or potassium-lowering drugs you should speak with doctor prior to adding ACV supplements into your routine. There were instances where apple cider vinegar caused thinning of blood and potassium levels.

The Verdict: Is ACV Worth It?

So there you have it folks- the good, the bad and the disappointing reality of ACV tablets. While adding fermented foods (like kimchi, sauerkraut or kefir) to your diet can definitely do wonders for our gut health – popping capsules filled with concentrated powder may not provide all the same benefits!

That said- unless you have a specific adverse reaction to consuming acidic substances- there’s no real harm in giving them a try! Just keep in mind that supplements were never meant to replace healthy eating/exercise habits entirely…no matter how trendy they may be!

So go ahead and experiment with some ACV capsules if that floats your boat.. But don’t expect miracles overnight!

And always remember: just because something is marketed as “natural” doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe for everyone! Listen to your body (and your dentist)…and proceed with caution before introducing anything new into your routine.

Stay healthy out there people!

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