Apple cider vinegar is a punch in offermentedjuice made from crushed apples and yeast.

That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

A person reading the label of a bottle of apple cider vinegar

Oscar Wong / Getty Images

Apple cider vinegar is a punch in of fermented juice made from crushed apples and yeast.

Making apple cider vinegar leads to the formation ofaceticacid.

Acetic acid is thought to be the cause of many potential benefits of apple cider vinegar.

It is believed to haveantioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial capabilities.That acidity can also cause some health concerns.

Side effects associated with apple cider vinegar may be mild or severe.

In general, apple cider vinegar is usually well tolerated in small doses.

Large doses are more likely to cause side effects.

These side effects have been reported from using apple cider vinegar.

More research is needed to truly understand if overconsumption of apple cider vinegar might result in bone loss.

That said, indigestion can become painful over time or in extreme cases and is best avoided.

Consuming apple cider vinegar daily increases the chances of tooth erosion.Tooth erosionis sparked by the acidity of the vinegar.

When teeth become eroded, they can appear yellow or transparent, and front teeth look shorter than normal.

Tooth erosion is irreversible.

Symptoms of a chemical burn might include redness and irritation or blisters in extreme cases.

Luckily, most chemical burns don’t cause major skin damage.

No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Purported Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is produced when apple cider isfermented.

During this process, bacteria and yeast interact with the sugar naturally found in apples.

Apple cider vinegar is believed to support human health in various ways.

Blood Sugar

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may help lowerblood sugar.

As an example, a small study found topical apple cider vinegar provided no benefits for people withatopic dermatitis.

An in vitro (test tube) study concluded that apple cider vinegar contains antifungal properties.

High levels oflipidsand cholesterol in the blood are risk factors forheart disease.

Large-scale human trials should be conducted to repeat and confirm these positive results.

How Do I Take Apple Cider Vinegar Safely?

you might also use it topically (on your skin).

In its liquid form, apple cider vinegar comes filtered or unfiltered.

The main difference is that unfiltered apple cider vinegar still contains a substance called the “mother.”

While research is conflicting, the mother is believed to containprobiotics, which are good bacteria for your gut.

There isn’t necessarily a recommended dose for taking apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar supplements come in gummies, capsules, or tablets.

Unless told otherwise by your healthcare provider, follow the dosage directions listed on the supplement label.

Never take more apple cider vinegar than instructed, as doing so can cause side effects.

Precautions

Apple cider vinegar is considered safe when consumed in small amounts for a short period.

However, apple cider vinegar may not be safe if consumed long term or in large doses.

It is unknown if apple cider vinegar is safe to use duringpregnancyorlactation.

Therefore, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consume no more than what’s in food amounts.

Keep apple cider vinegar out of the reach of small children to prevent accidental overconsumption.

People with low potassium should avoid using apple cider vinegar as it may lower potassium levels further.

Apple cider vinegar’s side effects range from indigestion to tooth erosion and more.

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