According to the NHS (National Health Service), every one in four adults suffers from high blood pressure in the UK alone. So there’s definitely a good chance that you or someone in your family already has experience with blood pressure.
Did you know that in 2014, high blood pressure was the primary cause of death of people more than 410,000 in the United States of America? Well, the number is certainly way out of our imagination. However, you could treat your high blood pressure problem using some effective home remedies. And of all, apple cider vinegar is one popular home remedy that helps in lowering blood pressure.
Apple cider vinegar helps lower blood pressure in multiple ways. To start with, ACV brings your cholesterol down, which results in blood pressure. To be precise, the acetic acid in the apple cider vinegar is what helps in lowering blood pressure naturally. Also, consuming apple cider vinegar will significantly reduce the activity of renin, an enzyme that raises your blood pressure.
But how does apple cider vinegar bring down blood pressure exactly? This isn’t substantially confirmed. Nevertheless, multiple studies have shown that people who included apple cider vinegar in their everyday diet have experienced significantly fewer bouts of high blood pressure.
How to Consume Apple Cider Vinegar for High Blood Pressure
There are a lot of ways to incorporate apple cider vinegar in your everyday diet. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of ACV every day in your diet. However, below are 6 ways to include ACV in your foods and beverages.
- Drizzle it on your salad
- Add it to your breakfast smoothie
- Along with honey, add ACV to your morning tea
- Make a cayenne pepper dressing. Add a tablespoon of ACV to 1/16th cayenne pepper
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of plain water and drink it on an empty stomach
- Mix ACV with olive oil and herbs to make a salad dressing
Make sure you are not consuming too much of apple cider vinegar or not using all of the ways mentioned above as it can lead to an upset stomach and other digestive issues.
Possible Side Effects and Warnings
There is absolutely no doubt that apple cider vinegar is a natural and effective home remedy to various health conditions. However, at the same time, some people have also raised concerns about apple cider vinegar possible side effects and safety. Here are some side effects of consuming apple cider vinegar.
- Tooth decay
Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature. So consuming it directly can weaken your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay over time. So if you are adding apple cider vinegar to your beverage, then make sure you drink it using a straw. This will prevent ACV from coming in direct contact with your teeth.
- Low potassium
According to a professor, Robert H. Shmerling, MD, at Harvard Medical School, apple cider vinegar could cause low potassium levels. And low potassium levels could lead to weak muscles.
- Gastrointestinal problems
When people consume apple cider vinegar for weight loss, it helps reduce the rate at which food leaves the stomach. This can suppress a person’s appetite and make them feel fuller for a more extended time period. Now, this slow digestion process can cause indigestion.
Tips for Consuming Apple Cider Vinegar
Side effects are likely to be experienced by people if they consume too much ACV. However, you can consider the following tips for safe usage:
- Do not drink ACV more than what is recommended. To know of the recommended dosage, consult your doctor.
- Always dilute ACV with water or any other beverage. Do not consume it directly.
- Use a straw while consuming ACV in a beverage form. This will limit ACV contact with your teeth.
- If you are already suffering from low potassium levels, digestive issues, or any other health condition, consult your doctor first before adhering to this regime.
- If you experience any burning sensation, immediately stop consuming ACV and see your doctor.
Conclusion
Consuming apple cider vinegar has undoubtedly become a hot health trend. Some studies have proven the efficacy of apple cider vinegar for a variety of health problems; however, more research is needed to verify and conclude those results.
If you are already seeking consultation for your high blood pressure issue, then continue taking doctor’s prescribed medication. Also, ask your doctor about the apple cider vinegar to reduce blood pressure.
FAQs
- Can diabetics consume apple cider vinegar?
Yes, people with diabetes can consume apple cider vinegar. In fact, ACV helps maintain blood sugar levels and control diabetes efficiently.
- What is apple cider vinegar with mother mean?
ACV with mother is the raw, unfiltered version. When compared to the processed ones, ACV with mother provides more nutritional benefits as the manufacturers do not filter the fermented vinegar and leave the remnants of that process.
- Can expected mothers consume apple cider vinegar?
Well, there is no research to prove either case; however, consult your gynaecologist to make sure it is safe for you. Do not drink without consulting your doctor as you could put the fetus at risk.
Author Bio:
Jennifer is a proficient writer who firmly believes in the age-old remedies and holistic medicine as a primary cure for several diseases. After graduating she embarked on a journey to find the truth about holistic and natural remedies.