What You Need to Know Before You Consume Apple Cider Vinegar
For several generations, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been known to cure ailments and promote healthy living. But only a few know that it also helps to lose weight. If you want to find out more about how apple cider vinegar helps you to lose weight, then read further.
Apple cider vinegar is a result of a two-step fermentation of apples. The apples are crushed in a container after which yeast is added. The yeast converts all the sugar in the apples into alcohol. After which healthy bacteria is added that turns alcohol into acetic acid (ethanoic acid).
The traditional method of preparing apple cider vinegar takes about a month, but with advanced technology, this process is reduced to just a day. Today a single day is sufficient to produce apple cider vinegar in large quantities.
The acetic acid is the main and active component of the resulting solution. It gives the vinegar a sour taste and a characteristic strong odor. This occupies about 5-6% of the vinegar, along with which you can also find traces of water and some other acids as well. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar contains just about three calories and almost no carbohydrates.
Acetic acid is a short chain of fatty acids which help dissolve hydrogen and acetate in your body. This acid has been tested several times to understand how it helps in weight loss. Some of this is listed below.
Helps lower blood sugar levels: The acid helps the liver and the muscles absorb more sugar from the blood to lower the blood sugar levels.
Reduces insulin: A high production of insulin avoids the body from losing weight. Acetic acid helps reduce the production of insulin to allow fat to be burned off more easily.
Increases metabolism: An enzyme called AMPK (Activated Protein Kinase) plays a major role in digestion and metabolism. Acetic acid can increase the production of this enzyme to increase the fat burning process and reduces the production of sugar and fat in the liver.
Reduces the storage of fat: Some genes help reduce the amount of fat stored in the belly and liver. Acetic acid increases these genes to help cut down fat.
Decreases appetite: Acetate triggers some parts of the brain which behave as the appetite receptors. It suppresses them to reduce the feeling of hunger and decrease your appetite to promote less eating.
Burns fat: Some studies show that even if the subjects were given a high-fat diet, the acetic acid increased the production of the genes and enzymes that help burn these fats to avoid gaining weight.
- A small study was conducted on 11 people who consumed apple cider vinegar to find how it affected them and their diet to stimulate weight loss.
- There was a 55% lesser response to a hike in blood sugar levels after eating a high-carb meal compared to those who didn’t consume vinegar.
- The subjects consumed 200 to 275 calories lesser for the rest of the day.
- The vinegar also slowed the rates at which the food left their stomach, making them feel fuller for longer.
- It also reduced the blood sugar and insulin levels.
Vinegar Weight Loss
Apples are a great source of pectin and help you feel more satisfied and fuller. The apple cider vinegar has as much pectin in it as a ripe apple. But there is also a reason behind why you should have the vinegar instead of apples.Since apple cider vinegar is mainly made up of acetic acid, the acid in the vinegar helps better digest proteins. Proteins are responsible for the production of several hormones, especially growth hormones, and better digestion of proteins can keep a healthy balance of hormones in your body. Hormones also stimulate weight loss by breaking the fat cells. Intake of apple cider vinegar before your meals can induce this entire process and ensure that your digestion takes the healthiest route.
Stimulates Digestion
Apple cider vinegar ensures that the food doesn’t stay in your intestines for too long. If the fat in your food stays in your intestines for extended periods, it is natural that it gets absorbed a lot more. ACV also sometimes increases your appetite towards wholesome foods to support your weight loss regime.
Iron Utilization
Iron is one of the most important substances in our body as it helps carry oxygen to various parts of our body. ACV can increase the rate at which your body uses iron for these processes for a great consumption of energy-inducing further weight loss.
To maximize all the effects that apple cider vinegar has on your body, it is necessary that you consume this on a regular basis. The recommended amount of apple cider vinegar includes one to two teaspoons of it in a glass of water every day.