Apple cider vinegar is making a buzz for those who are health conscious. It claims to be a powerhouse food that provides a natural remedy to many health conditions. ACV is most popular as a weight loss tool, but it also claims to be helpful in reducing blood pressure levels.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the most common conditions throughout the world. It’s because there are many factors that trigger the condition such as lifestyle and eating habits. If you suspect that you’re at risk of hypertension, you need to act immediately to control it.
Keep in mind that hypertension can lead to other serious illnesses such as cardiovascular problems including strokes and heart attacks.
How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Work to Lower Blood Pressure?
Hypertension happens when the pressure of the blood pushing against the wall of the blood vessels is high. It strains or puts additional pressure on your arteries that may lead to coronary problems and heart disease.
High blood pressure is a serious health condition that needs proper treatment by a physician. The good thing is that this condition can be controlled and prevented by eating and living right. In fact, you can consume apple cider vinegar to regulate blood pressure.
Health experts recommend eating a healthy diet, stopping smoking, getting regular exercise, watch your weight and stress levels to avoid hypertension.
Apple cider vinegar contains vitamin C and vitamins B1, B2 and B6 as well as some traces of minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. The high content of acetic acid is the most beneficial for reducing high blood pressure.
It also has an alkaline effect that balances the pH level of the body. It breaks down the fat deposits that eventually lead to lowering the pressure on the arterial walls and aids better circulation.
A study showed that the acetic content of vinegar helps to reduce blood pressure levels. This is made possible by lowering the renin activity, thus controlling blood pressure [1].
Another study revealed that acetic acid effectively reduces cholesterol levels [2]. Consuming apple cider vinegar clears up the narrowed and hardened arteries caused by the cholesterol plaque buildup. It is important to remove the cholesterol buildup as it makes the heart pump the blood harder which may result in high blood pressure.
In the same manner, the acetic content also reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If the triglyceride level is higher, there’s a great possibility of developing atherosclerosis.
The Right Dosage of Apple Cider Vinegar
The right amount of apple cider vinegar that you can take is 2 teaspoons mixed in water. But, many people testify that consuming ACV as a drinking tonic in a more concentrated form is more effective. But, before introducing apple cider vinegar to your diet, you should consult first your doctor especially if you’re taking other drugs and medications.
If the taste of apple cider vinegar isn’t appealing to you, another way to consider is by using it as a salad dressing. This won’t only be helpful for preventing hypertension, but also for weight loss.
Usually, herbal medicine is advised to be taken before the meal but ACV has to be taken after the meal. Because ACV has high acidity. Also if you have a digestive problem you should consult with your doctor.
Which is the right type of apple cider vinegar to use?
If you will use apple cider vinegar to prevent high blood pressure, make sure to use the right kind. This means that you should use pure, unprocessed, unfiltered, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. Choose raw vinegar with no chemicals and flavors added to it.
Consume apple cider vinegar that is certified organic. You can also choose ACV which has the so-called “mother” in it. This means that there should be some cloudy sediment at the bottom of the bottle. The cloudy sediment is full of enzymes and beneficial bacteria.
Final thoughts
Apple cider vinegar is known to provide many health benefits not only for weight loss but also for preventing high blood pressure.
However, it shouldn’t be taken without diluting it with water. It can burn your throat or damage the tooth enamel. Make sure to consume only the recommended dosage, otherwise, long-term use can lead to weak bones and low potassium.
Consuming ACV alone doesn’t guarantee to the reduction of blood pressure. Health experts recommend practicing a healthier lifestyle such as getting regular exercise, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and proper management of stress.
is a registered dietitian with over 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She has a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science from Dhaka University and has worked with various clients to help them achieve their health goals through personalized diet plans. Mounota is passionate about educating people on the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle and has written extensively on the subject for various publications.
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