Health, Nutrition

10 Dangerous Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar

Below are 10 side effects of apple cider vinegar you need to know about. As much as this liquid is healthy, it also has some serious side effects as well, therefore, you need to be very careful when consuming apple cider vinegar. This post will cover everything you need to know about the side effects of apple cider vinegar.

Below, you will learn how apple cider vinegar is made, how to consume it correctly, its side effects, and some preventative measure you need to take when drinking apple cider vinegar.

side effects of apple cider vinegar

Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar

Before we go over the many side effects of apple cider vinegar, let’s take a moment to see what is apple cider vinegar and how exactly is it made. Apple cider vinegar is made by simply combining yeast with apples, the sugars from the apples are then converted by the yeast into alcohol and finally, bacteria is added for fermentation.

This whole process changes the alcohol from the apples, yeast, and bacteria into acetic acid. Although the acetic acids found in apple cider vinegar are only 6% it is still strong enough to cause your body harm when consumed in large amounts.

Apple cider vinegar also contains some important vitamins and minerals that help with conditions like high cholesterol, weight loss, high blood sugar levels, and insulin sensitivity.

1. Gastroparesis & Type 1 Diabetes

Some studies show that people with type 1 diabetes or gastroparesis who drank apple cider vinegar mixed with water saw an increase in the amount of time it took to empty food from the small intestines.

This is due to the fact that apple cider vinegar is known to help decrease high blood sugar levels by slowing down how fast the food you eat enters the lower digestive tract. Although this may have a positive effect on healthy people, it is known to worsen the symptoms of gastroparesis and type 1 diabetes.

2. Digestion

Apple cider vinegar has been found to cause indigestion and nausea in a group of people who consumed it with other beverages. Drinking apple cider vinegar with plain water leads to less appetite and a feeling of fullness. Other studies showed that people who were feeling a loss of appetite suffered from indigestion.

3. Potassium & Bone Loss

Drinking large amounts of apple cider vinegar over a long period of time can cause a considerable amount of low potassium levels in the blood and increase the risk of bone loss. Other studies show that drinking apple cider vinegar long-term can lead to the reduction of the formation of new bone.

4. Teeth Damage

Research shows that people who drank large amounts of apple cider vinegar without diluting it with water suffered dental erosion due to the acid found in it. This side effect can be prevented by simply consuming recommended amounts mixed with water through straws.

5. Headaches And Nausea

Studies done on a group of people showed that drinking apple cider vinegar upon waking up in the morning caused headaches and nausea symptoms. When you drink apple cider vinegar, your body goes through a detoxification process that causes the brain to release toxins into the bloodstream.

A simple way to prevent this is by consuming apple cider vinegar before you eat lunch and make sure to dilute it with enough water.

6. Burning In The Throat

The acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar can cause throat burns or throat irritation in some people especially when consumed without mixing it with water first. It is also recommended that you carefully swallow apple cider vinegar when taken in pill forms to reduce your chances of getting it lodged in your throat.

7. Skin Burns

This side effect is not uncommon, there have been cases where people experienced skin erosions after applying apple cider vinegar directly onto the skin. A simple remedy to prevent skin allergies or burns associated with apple cider vinegar is to mix it with juice, honey, or water before applying it to the skin.

8. Low Blood Sugar Levels

Although apple cider vinegar can be very effective in treating or stabilizing blood sugar levels, it is recommended that you do not use it long-term or in large doses. Consuming apple cider vinegar in large amounts can cause extremely low blood sugar levels which cuts off glucose supply to the brain.

This can sometimes lead to coma and in rare cases death. If you suffer from low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, please consult with your doctor before drinking apple cider vinegar.

9. Flush Out Nutrients

Apple cider vinegar has a diuretic effect on the body, it helps remove toxins from the body when consumed correctly but it also washes out important nutrients and minerals from the body too. This can be prevented by taking multivitamins when on an apple cider vinegar diet or eating foods high in magnesium and potassium.

10. Medications

Apple cider vinegar can be dangerous when consumed along with some medications so you need to be very careful if you suffer from any of the following conditions.

Diabetics; If you are on insulin medications, please consult with your doctor before consuming apple cider vinegar.
Potassium Deficiency: If you suffer from potassium deficiency, please consult with your doctor before drinking apple cider vinegar.
Diuretics: If you are on any diuretic medications, please consult with your doctor before taking apple cider vinegar.

How To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

Drinking apple cider vinegar is good for your health but you need to know how to drink it the right way, follow the guidelines below correctly to be safe.

  • Begin consuming 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and slowly work your way up to 2 tablespoons max.
  • Always mix the apple cider vinegar with water before drinking it.
  • Use a straw to sip on apple cider vinegar to prevent tooth erosion.
  • Do not brush your teeth directly after drinking apple cider vinegar, wait at least 1 hour and make sure to rinse out your mouth with warm water after drinking it.
  • Always drink organic apple cider vinegar only.
  • Do not drink apple cider vinegar along with caffeine.
  • Drink apple cider vinegar 30 minutes before your lunch and when you feel hunger pangs.
  • Never drink apple cider vinegar when you wake up from sleep.

Note; Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and people on chemo should not consume apple cider vinegar.

Conclusion

There you have it! 10 dangerous side effects of apple cider vinegar worth knowing! If you liked this post, please don’t forget to share it on Pinterest and also follow us for more helpful tips. Thank you so much for reading and we would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.