Honey and apple cider vinegar are great remedies for your weight loss regimen. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that enhances metabolism in the body. The acetic acid present will help break down fat and also act as a detoxifier for your body. When you consume honey, your cravings for sweet foods decreases, therefore controlling your appetite for junk food. Honey is also rich in vitamins and minerals that can boost hormonal balance in your body. These two ingredients work together to aid in digestion, enhance metabolism and regulate your entire body’s functions.
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink with Honey
Apple cider vinegar is produced by apple cider being fermented with yeast. The primary component, acetic acid, gives it its traditional sour taste. Apple cider vinegar is used widely in combination with honey to reduce the unpleasant smell and sourness of the ACV, making it easier to drink.
It is noteworthy to see that when using ACV and honey, it is more beneficial to use unfiltered, raw ingredients. Unfiltered ACV and honey have a higher nutritional value due to less processing, so your body is best served by using these products in their most natural form.
Additionally, honey may possess anti-cancer properties and promote gastrointestinal function. Unfiltered honey also gives the body probiotics to help the digestive system sustain healthy bacteria in the gut. These bacteria are beneficial and help the body digest meals and absorb nutrients.
The use of this tonic has various health advantages. While research has been carried out, the combined benefits haven’t been measured yet, considering that both substances have been examined independently.
Should You Mix Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey?
Honey and vinegar have been used for medicinal and culinary purposes for thousands of years, with folk medicine often combining the two as a health tonic
The mixture, which is typically diluted with water, is thought to provide a range of health benefits, including weight loss and reduced blood sugar levels.
This article explores the combination of apple cider vinegar and honey, including its potential benefits and downsides.
Why do people mix apple cider vinegar and honey?
Vinegar can be made from most sources of fermentable carbs. Apple cider vinegar starts with apple juice as a base, which is then fermented twice with yeast. Its main ingredient is acetic acid, giving it its characteristically sour flavor
On the other hand, honey is a sweet and viscous substance produced by bees and stored within a cluster of waxy, hexagonal cells known as a honeycomb
Honey is a mixture of two sugars — fructose and glucose — with trace amounts of pollen, micronutrients, and antioxidants
Many consider apple cider vinegar and honey to be a tasty combination, as the sweetness of honey helps mellow vinegar’s puckery taste.
Consuming this tonic is thought to provide many health benefits. However, given that both ingredients have been studied separately, the effects of this mixture specifically are largely unknown.
SUMMARY
Apple cider vinegar and honey are consumed both individually and as a mixture in folk medicine. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the potential health effects of combining them.
Potential benefits
Some people mix apple cider vinegar and honey for its purported health benefits.
Acetic acid may promote weight loss
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has been studied as a weight loss aid.
In a 12-week study in 144 adults with obesity, those ingesting 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar diluted in a 17-ounce (500-ml) drink daily experienced the most weight loss and a 0.9% reduction in body fat, compared with two control groups
Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to keep you feeling fuller longer, as it slows down how quickly nutrients from foods are absorbed into your bloodstream — an effect that may further aid weight loss
Still, when you combine honey and vinegar, keep in mind that honey is high in calories and sugar and should be consumed in moderation
May help alleviate seasonal allergies and cold symptoms
Both honey and apple cider vinegar are considered natural antimicrobials.
Honey is thought to help relieve seasonal allergies, as it contains trace amounts of pollen and plant compounds. Some studies show that it may help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever
Yet, it’s unclear how adding apple cider vinegar to honey may influence these effects
Also, the mixture may help alleviate certain cold symptoms, such as coughing
What’s more, due to its fermentation process, apple cider vinegar contains probiotics. These helpful bacteria aid digestion and boost immunity, which may help you fight a cold
May improve heart health
The chlorogenic acid in vinegar is thought to help decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, potentially reducing your risk of heart disease
Plus, in rodent studies, honey has been shown to lower high blood pressure, another risk factor for heart disease
It also contains polyphenol antioxidants, which may reduce heart disease risk by improving blood flow and preventing blood clots and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Still, more research in this area is needed
Furthermore, apple cider vinegar may reduce inflammation and decrease your risk of plaque buildup in your arteries, which can protect heart health. Though, more human studies are needed to explore this possible benefit
SUMMARY
The potential health benefits of honey and apple cider vinegar have mostly been studied separately. Vinegar is believed to aid weight loss, while both are believed to improve heart health and alleviate cold and seasonal allergy symptoms.
Can I Drink Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Every Day?
Yes, you can. Our apple cider vinegar and honey recipe is the version that you can drink daily.
We don’t recommend drinking a mixture of just apple cider vinegar and honey, as there are a few downsides:
Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Side Effects
Many apple cider vinegar and honey recipes instruct you to mix equal portions of vinegar, honey, and warm water. This version of the drink can pose several health risks, suggests Healthline experts:
- For those with gastric reflux, introducing highly acidic foods to the stomach can worsen the condition.
- Acidic drinks can erode the tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
- Although honey is healthier than sugar, it still counts as added sugar. Overconsumption of added sugar is bad for the body in a lot of ways.
With that in mind, we’ve diluted the drink with lots of warm water and added several spices. It makes the drink tastier, decreases the acidity level, and only has 10 grams of sugar per serving (which is within the daily allowance).
How to Mix Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Of course, it’s possible to make the drink with just vinegar and honey, but we saw no reason to make it better.
The basic formula is, as said, vinegar, honey, water, one part of each. We’ve tested it, and since it lacked flavors, we made a few changes:
- First, we added more warm water to dilute the strong, concentrated flavors of vinegar and honey.
- Then, we added one teaspoon to the batch, which makes it more fragrant and just brightens everything up.
- Finally, a dash of cinnamon to make it warm and cozy.
The result is a healthy beverage with the same benefits, but tastes good. It’s both a prevention of diseases and a remedy for cold days.
Apple Cider Vinegar vs White Vinegar
Taste-wise, white vinegar lacks the hint of sweetness and aroma that apple cider vinegar has from the apples. What it shares with apple cider vinegar is the acidity, so in a lot of recipes it is used as a substitute.
However, since white vinegar doesn’t really possess any nutritional value, it’s not what we’re looking for.
So as we researched, we found that balsamic vinegar and red wine vinegar also have similar proven health benefits to apple cider vinegar. Versions of the drink made with these two types of vinegar may not taste like the original, but they have comparable nutritional profiles.
How Long Does Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Last?
The two ingredients alone can last for a really long time, as they are not ideal environments for bacteria to survive in.
However, when they are mixed and diluted with water, it makes for an ideal food source for bacteria — sugary, warm, plenty of water. Plus, we can’t really preserve a warm beverage in the fridge.
Since it’s a rather easy drink to make, we encourage you to make it whenever you want with pantry-stored ingredients. It’s best enjoyed freshly mixed.
For a wider selection of apple cider vinegar recipes don’t miss out this collection on the apple cider vinegar drink recipes that we’ve carefully sorted out for you!
Apple Cider Vinegar Shot Recipe
Ready to start your detox? There are several ACV and honey drink recipes that you can try! The truth is, you’re only limited by your creativity. To make perfectly delicious, yet well-balanced apple cider vinegar shots, you will need:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (raw organic ACV with the mother)
- 1 teaspoon of honey (raw honey)
Put the raw organic apple cider vinegar and raw honey in warm water. Stir it well, and enjoy! If you are looking for an extra kick in your apple cider vinegar shot recipe, you can also add fresh mint, turmeric curcumin, lemon juice, ginger, or cinnamon.
It is highly suggested to not use concentrated ACV unless diluted with water, as it might lead to heartburn, throat irritation, and acidity in the stomach. It is best to not use more than 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per ACV shot for best results with minimal side effects.
Can You Drink ACV Shots on an Empty Stomach?
Research suggests, it is preferable to take this tonic on an empty stomach, while intermittent fasting, as it optimizes the health benefits and enhances the digestive process. Thus, the possibilities of acid reflux and bloating are minimized, and the effect of appetite suppression can take place.
What Is the Best Time to Drink ACV: Morning or Night?
There are different opinions regarding the best time to take apple cider vinegar. Many people suggest that it is best to drink ACV in the morning, and some at night. Does it even matter?
Consuming ACV in the morning, preceding a meal, has its pros. Studies suggest a positive effect of ACV on glycaemic index and insulin when taken on an empty stomach in the morning. Likewise, consuming ACV in the morning is associated with a reduction in triglycerides, LDL, and bad cholesterol, as backed by Iranian research.
Drinking apple cider vinegar before bed might be more problematic for some individuals. When lying down, the contents may run directly into the esophagus, and cause irritation, uneasiness, and esophageal burns. If you’re taking ACV before bed, give yourself at least 30 minutes before lying down to be on the safe side.
Final Thoughts on Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Apple cider vinegar and honey have been used for centuries to prevent diseases. While more research should be encouraged, the health benefits of ACV and honey are widely accepted, even if most of the evidence is anecdotal.
Diluted ACV in water with the recommended dosage can be enjoyed regularly. Be sure to cycle on and off for optimum functioning of the body and to reduce the potential for adverse reactions.
ACV with honey together makes for a powerful mixture; one that is worth trying out!