Though the drink is packed with health benefits, there is a right and wrong way to use it and when consumed in the wrong way, it can potentially be dangerous.
Here are a few things you need to keep in mind if you are planning to consume apple cider vinegar:
Do not drink it right after meals
If you have a habit of drinking apple cider vinegar right after your meal, you need to change this habit. The best way to take apple cider vinegar is to consume it on an empty stomach. Some foods that you eat can make the vinegar less potent and drinking it before meals boosts your ability to process food. Experts recommend waiting for at least 20 minutes after consuming the ACV to eat anything.
Do not breathe it in
Apple cider vinegar doesn’t taste really nice so inhaling its fragrance before consuming it is not a good idea. Also, as good as ACV is for your heart health and digestive tract, it can seriously harm your lungs. Be careful never to inhale it when you are drinking it. Inhaling it can cause a burning sensation in your lungs.
Do not take swigs of it
Even diluted ACV is extremely acidic. It can damage your tooth enamel. To not let this happen, don’t sip it or swig it from the cup. Instead, you can try drinking it from a straw. Avoid brushing your teeth 30 minutes after you consume the ACV, to keep the vinegar from wearing on your tooth enamel.
Do not consume too much
If you are seeing benefits from it, do not think of overdoing it. Too much of anything is bad for your health and ACV is no exception. In fact, if you have started taking it just now, make sure you do not consume too much of it. You must start by having less amount of it and observing how your body reacts to it. Limit your intake to two tablespoons even when you are diluting it with water.
Do not drink it right before you sleep
It is advised not to take ACV right before you go to bed because of its potential to creep back up the esophagus. If the acid comes in contact with your esophagus while you are asleep it can be harmful. Regardless of what time of the day it is, one must sit upright for 30 minutes after consuming ACV.
Applying it directly on your skin
Apart from heart health, digestion and weight loss, ACV can be used to banish acne, dandruff and ease sunburn and other beauty benefits. But same as recommended for drinking, you must dilute the ACV before you use it for any beauty purpose. If you do not do so, it can kill skin cells, erode skin and leave your skin with semi-permanent burns. One part vinegar and eight parts of water together is what is recommended if you want to use it for beauty purposes.
