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You might have heard that drinking apple cider vinegar before bed in the evening can boost your health, but is there any substance to this, or is it just a myth?
Apple cider vinegar is often shortened to ACV for simplicity. In this article, we’re going list the apple cider vinegar before sleep benefits and why you should consider a shot of ACV before going to bed.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
First, let’s talk about what apple cider vinegar actually is and what it can be used for. ACV is a fermented liquid that has a tangy taste and has been used for hundreds of years, both to promote better health and as part of recipes.
- Admittedly, apple cider vinegar isn’t to everybody’s taste. It has a tangy and sour flavour, especially when you’re drinking it on its own.
However, you can make it taste more appealing by mixing it into a hot cup of herbal tea or adding some warm water to dilute the apple cider vinegar a little and reduce its strong, tangy taste. You could also mix in various additional flavours to counteract the tangy aftertaste of ACV. A common and well-loved combination is apple cider vinegar and cinnamon before bed.
Thankfully, you don’t need to drink gallons and gallons of apple cider vinegar to reap its many health benefits. Keep reading to learn more about these interesting health benefits – you can obtain by drinking able cider vinegar before bed each day.
7 Reasons You Need to Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Every Night Before Bed
Now let’s talk about the most common 7 reasons you need to drink apple cider vinegar every night before bed and why this daily practice could be a great thing to add into your bedtime routine.
1. It Can Boost Your Energy Levels
Having apple cider vinegar before bed can boost your energy levels the following day. Unlike caffeine, ACV doesn’t cause you to feel anxious and jittery. Instead, it helps your body to use the glucose (sugar) in the foods you’ve eaten in a more effective and efficient way, so you don’t experience a nasty energy crash in the middle of the day.
Because of its energy-boosting effects, apple cider vinegar is the perfect alternative to a late-night sugary snack. Plus, studies’ve shown that it can increase insulin sensitivity, even in those who are diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes – this promotes more stable blood sugar levels before and after meals in one way.
2. It Promotes Better Gut Health
Having a happy, healthy digestive system promotes better overall health. ACV can promote better gut health by fuelling the helpful bacteria in the gut and maintaining a healthy pH balance down there.
Apple cider vinegar contains a prebiotic fibre called pectin, which helps bulk up the stool and acts as a natural laxative to help you go to the toilet! Because of this, adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to your bedtime routine could promote bowel regularity and keep constipation at bay.
Prebiotic compounds also fuel probiotic (beneficial) bacteria in the gut, enabling them to thrive and perform various essential functions like the production of short-chain fatty acids, and vitamins B12 and K. A healthy gut microbiome will reduce bloating, gas, and constipation, so you feel on top of the world every day!
3. It Can Improve You Skin’s Health and Appearance
Interestingly, apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and it can also help to balance the skin’s pH (especially when it is applied directly onto the skin’s surface), which means it can do wonders for your skin. It can fight against skin infections and resulting conditions like acne, so you can enjoy clearer, healthier, and more glowy skin.
4. It Can Promote Better Sleep
We’re recommending that you have apple cider vinegar before bed benefits because it is known to promote better sleep. It has the ability to reduce fatigue and anxiety, enabling you to enter a deep slumber and wake up the next day feeling well rested.
5. It’s Great for pH Balance in the Body
Because of acidic properties, apple cider vinegar can usually aid pH balance in the body. Although the body is normally able to balance its pH pretty well in a process known as homeostasis, there are certain conditions that can throw this gentle balance off, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, hormone-related issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or infections like thrush.
If you have these diseases consuming apple cider vinegar is helpful as it helps your body to balance its ph level.
6. It Can Reduce Inflammation
Apple cider vinegar might lower the levels of inflammation in the body by promoting better skin, gut, and immune health. It can help the body fight off infections during immune responses, a time which would naturally come along with an increase in inflammatory markers and support the probiotic bacteria in the gut to ensure a healthy and inflammation-free digestive system.
7. It May Reduce Nerve Pain
It’s thought that having ACV before bed every night can help tackle nerve pain by lowering inflammation in the body. Although the scientific research relating to this is relatively limited, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that suggests its benefits for neuropathic pain.
Also, read – 48-Hour Fast: Find Out Benefits, Risks, and Tips for Success
Safe Ways to Consume Apple Cider Vinegar
A safe and typical dose of ACV is 1-2 tablespoons, which is 15-30 ml if you’re measuring it out. Mixing it with water to dilute it down is one of the safest ways to drink apple cider vinegar.
Drinking it through a straw is another very safe option when you’re drinking some apple cider vinegar before bed. This will protect your teeth from the vinegary nature of the drink, as will rinsing your mouth after having it to get rid of any residue from your teeth.
Drinking a small amount of ACV (no more than two tablespoons) at a time is much better than taking apple cider vinegar pills as it could contain more or less than the stated dose and could also cause heartburn or a sore throat. Mixing it with honey or stirring a small amount of cinnamon into the apple cider vinegar will make it taste better and make your daily shot of ACV more enjoyable!
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help You Lose Weight?
If you wish to lose weight, you’ll be very glad to hear that adding a shot or two of apple cider vinegar to your evening routine could do the trick!
It’s thought that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can increase metabolism (thereby increasing the body’s energy usage) overnight if you take it just before you go to bed. Drinking some ACV before bed may sale reduce your appetite and prevent you from getting up to have a sugary late-night snack, reducing the risk of overconsuming calories and gaining weight.
But, before you go running off to buy gallons and gallons of apple cider vinegar, be aware that there is very little evidence showing the weight loss benefits of apple cider vinegar, and it’s important not to overdo it with AVC, as the acetic acid that it contains has potential to damage the enamel on your teeth.
An Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe for Weight Loss
Here’s quick and so simple recipe you can follow to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your diet in an enjoyable way. This recipe can be made at home within just a few minutes – so that requires minimal ingredients, so you won’t need to spend a fortune at the grocery store.
Feel free to switch up the ingredients slightly if you prefer different flavours to lemon, honey, and cinnamon.
You might prefer to use a different form of citrus, such as orange, or swap the cinnamon for turmeric. Find what works for you and set a routine each night so you always remember to take your apple cider vinegar and reap its many health benefits.
Also, read – What is Fruit Fasting and How to Complete a Fruit Fast
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of runny honey
- 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
- 1 cup of water (warm or cold)
Steps
- Mix ACV and lemon juice in a glass.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Stir well to combine.
- Drink & enjoy!
Conclusion
So, are you ready to start taking apple cider vinegar each day? There’s no harm in trying out this interesting prebiotic solution and seeing whether you experience its proposed health benefits.
Give ACV a try for just a couple of weeks, and pay close attention to whether you have any improvements in your skin’s appearance, your gut health, or your energy levels. Remember to take it in the evenings and mix it with something sweet to make it taste great!
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Mary has a Master of Science in Nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian. Currently, Mary works in nutrition research. Her research interests focus on the dietary, biological, metabolic, or behavioral differences in individuals with obesity and other chronic conditions. Mary will begin her Ph.D. in nutrition in the Fall. In her free time, you will usually find Mary hiking, at Pilates or Yoga, cooking, or reading.
