About
Vinegar comes from the French word meaning ‘sour wine’ and is made from a fermentable carbohydrate source. When the source is apple juice, it is known as apple cider vinegar. Why is it called cider vinegar? That’s because it is made from the fruits.
When the vinegar is made from distilled alcohol obtained from the grains or the starch of cereals or potatoes, it is called white or distilled vinegar. The distilled vinegar has an acidity of 4 percent, while the acidity of cider vinegar ranges from 5 to 6 percent.

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar (ACV) is what gives it its tanginess and tart flavor. However, diluted acetic acid and vinegar is not the same thing.
According to the FDA, ‘Diluted acetic acid is not vinegar and should not be added to food products customarily expected to contain vinegar’. Basically, apple cider vinegar or ACV contains vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and C), minerals (magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus and calcium and iron in small amounts), nonvolatile organic acids such as tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid and lactic acids, and polyphenolic compounds like gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid and ferulic acid.
Medicinal Use of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used since ages in traditional remedies as a miracle healer for migraine headaches, hypertension, diabetes, chronic fatigue, external wounds, and even to kill head lice and fight inflammation. It is also used as a weight loss agent. So much so, people are trying out the Apple Cider Vinegar Diet to shed pounds. But, are these claims true? Are there scientific evidences proving the effectiveness of ACV to treat these conditions? Here’s a rundown on some of these claims.
Vinegar, cider
Nutrition Summary | |
Total Calories | 21 |
Protein | 0 g |
Fat | 0.4 g |
Carbohydrate | 0.9 g |
Nutrients | Amount | %Daily Value |
Calcium, Ca | 7 mg | 0.7 % |
Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg | 0.4 % |
Iron, Fe | 0.2 mg | 1.11 % |
Magnesium, Mg | 5 mg | 1.25 % |
Manganese, Mn | 0.25 mg | 12.45 % |
Phosphorus, P | 8 mg | 0.8 % |
Potassium, K | 73 mg | 2.09 % |
Selenium, Se | 0.1 mcg | 0.14 % |
Sodium, Na | 5 mg | 0.21 % |
Zinc, Zn | 0.04 mg | 0.27 % |
Vitamin A | 0 IU | 0 % |
Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0 % |
Vitamin B6 | 0 mg | 0 % |
Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0 % |
Vitamin K | 0 mcg | 0 % |
Riboflavin | 0 mg | 0 % |
Thiamin | 0 mg | 0 % |
Folate, DFE | 0 mcg | 0 % |
Niacin | 0 mg | 0 % |
Sugars | 0.4 g | |
Fiber | 0 g | 0 % |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 % |
Water | 93.81 g | |
Carotene, alpha | 0 mcg | |
Carotene, beta | 0 mcg | |
Choline | 0 mg | |
Lycopene | 0 mcg | |
View all + |
References:
- Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/)
- Ostman E, Granfeldt Y, Persson L, Björck I. Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Sep;59(9):983-8. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16015276)
- Kondo T, Kishi M, Fushimi T, Kaga T. Acetic acid upregulates the expression of genes for fatty acid oxidation enzymes in liver to suppress body fat accumulation. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Jul 8;57(13):5982-6. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19469536)
- Shishehbor F, Mansoori A, Sarkaki AR, Jalali MT, Latifi SM. Apple cider vinegar attenuates lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats. Pak J Biol Sci. 2008 Dec 1;11(23):2634-8. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19630216)
- Liatis S, Grammatikou S, Poulia KA, Perrea D, Makrilakis K, Diakoumopoulou E, Katsilambros N. Vinegar reduces postprandial hyperglycaemia in patients with type II diabetes when added to a high, but not to a low, glycaemic index meal. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jul;64(7):727-32. Epub 2010 May 26. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20502468)
- Johnston CS, Steplewska I, Long CA, Harris LN, Ryals RH. Examination of the antiglycemic properties of vinegar in healthy adults. Ann Nutr Metab. 2010;56(1):74-9. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20068289)
- Kondo S, Tayama K, Tsukamoto Y, Ikeda K, Yamori Y. Antihypertensive effects of acetic acid and vinegar on spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 Dec;65(12):2690-4. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11826965)
Citations
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
-
APA
Mita Majumdar. (2019, January 12). Apple Cider Vinegar - The Controversial Health Tonic - Weight Loss Blood Sugar Blood Pressure. Medindia. Retrieved on May 25, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/apple-cider-vinegar.htm.
-
MLA
Mita Majumdar. "Apple Cider Vinegar - The Controversial Health Tonic - Weight Loss Blood Sugar Blood Pressure". Medindia. May 25, 2022. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/apple-cider-vinegar.htm>.
Chicago
Mita Majumdar. "Apple Cider Vinegar - The Controversial Health Tonic - Weight Loss Blood Sugar Blood Pressure". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/apple-cider-vinegar.htm. (accessed May 25, 2022).
Harvard
Mita Majumdar. 2021. Apple Cider Vinegar - The Controversial Health Tonic - Weight Loss Blood Sugar Blood Pressure. Medindia, viewed May 25, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/apple-cider-vinegar.htm.
Request an Appointment with a Doctor (Nutrition Expert)

30 years experience
Pro Health Diet Clinic, Sector 37-C

1 year experience
Online mode, Porur
How much vinegar and water should be used to lower blood sugar? Thanks!
What combination is best when taking vinegar for blood sugar and cholesterol?
whether the use of apple cider vinegar cause bladder cancere
So, where are the links to those studies?
Follow @MedIndia
Most Popular on Medindia
Drug Side Effects Calculator Sanatogen Accident and Trauma Care Hearing Loss Calculator The Essence of Yoga Daily Calorie Requirements Nutam (400mg) (Piracetam) Iron Intake Calculator Find a Hospital Turmeric Powder - Health Benefits, Uses & Side EffectsDisclaimer - All information and content on this site are for information and educational purposes only. The information should not be used for either diagnosis or treatment or both for any health related problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician for medical diagnosis and treatment. Full Disclaimer
Advertise with us | Medindia Copyright | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
© All Rights Reserved 1997 - 2022