What Can Apple Cider Vinegar *Really* Do For You?
Gone are the days when apple cider vinegar—lovingly referred to as ACV—was simply used as a pantry staple for adding tangy brightness to recipes. These days, the health conscious community has fully adopted this acidic ingredient as a bonafide superfood used to support multiple aspects of health from fighting off harmful bacteria to boosting metabolism. In turn, this popular vinegar has landed in infused waters, hair products, cleaning supplies, and a range of supplements from powders and gummies to capsules and health shots. But what does this apple cider vinegar really have to offer in the way of evidence-based health benefits?
What is apple cider vinegar?
If you’re not familiar with ACV, this kitchen staple is a variety of vinegar, similar to that of white distilled, balsamic, rice, or red wine vinegar. But what sets it apart from these other options is how it’s made.
“ACV is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice. Apples are crushed and the juice is combined with yeast and bacteria to ferment into alcohol, then further fermented into acetic acid,” says Kristen Carli, MS, RD, registered dietitian and owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness.
What results is an acidic product with a pH level of 4.2 (for reference, water has a pH level of 7). Other vinegars are made through fermentation, too, but often from grains, spirits, or other fruits. “Plus, ACV contains beneficial enzymes, probiotics (though varying!), and trace nutrients from apples, while other vinegars like white or balsamic lack these compounds,” Carli adds.
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