Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Has Potential Benefits—But Not If You Drink It Like This

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Apple cider vinegar has potential health benefits. It may help with stomach issues, hiccups, and a sore throat; it also may help clear dandruff, acne, and possibly bruises. The list goes on—check out these other 14 surprising things that apple cider vinegar may do.

One way to reap the benefits of this liquid is to try drinking apple cider vinegar, but it’s important to sip the correct quantity the right way. While ACV may help solve some problems, it can be tempting to drink a lot of it every day. However, that can do more harm than good. Also, make sure you don’t fall for these apple cider vinegar myths.

Potential issues

Let’s be honest: Drinking apple cider vinegar isn’t the tastiest way to get hydrated. Because of that, many people choose to get their daily dose by taking a shot of the liquid, then quickly drinking or eating something else. This way, they can offset the sour taste. However, over time, this can be harmful.

Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, which can damage your tooth enamel and possibly esophagus. For example, the American Dental Association states that prolonged contact with vinegar can wear away enamel. That’s the part of your tooth that helps keep cavities and tooth sensitivity at bay, so you want to keep that in good shape. So whether you’re using it to try to whiten your teeth or you’re drinking apple cider vinegar for other possible health benefits, exercise some caution.

How to drink apple cider vinegar

As with many things, balance is key. Be careful not to drink ACV straight. Instead, consider a happy medium by mixing one to two tablespoons of ACV into eight ounces of water. That’s what Dori Khakpour, RD, CD, CDE, suggests in her ACV post for the University of Washingtonʼs health site, the Whole U. In it, she writes that “for most medicinal purposes, no more than 1-2 tablespoons per day is recommended.”

If you still find the taste too strong, try adding a little honey. There are actually many ways to enjoy ACV; try these delicious apple cider vinegar recipes.

Bottom line

Don’t feel like you have to stop drinking apple cider vinegar altogether. Just make sure you mix it with the appropriate amount of water first so that it doesn’t cause damage in the long run. When taken appropriately, your body may reap several benefits. Check out all the things that happen to you when you drink apple cider vinegar every day.