Made from fermented, unstrained juice of crushed apples, people frequently use apple cider vinegar for colds as a home remedy for a runny nose and sore throat for the longest time. There are lots of fresh materials such as honey, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, sliced lemon, or cayenne pepper which can be fixed with apple cider vinegar. Each mixture contains its own effective flu remedy and health benefits. Advisably, blending them in their natural state rather than their processed forms.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help A Cold?
Apple Cider Vinegar contains probiotics and polyphenolic compounds. These organisms and compounds carry an array of health benefits that help to:
- Promote weight loss
- Kill bacteria
- Get rid of dandruff
- Clear acne
- Control blood sugar
Apple Cider Vinegar For Colds: Benefits You Should Know
Is Apple Cider Vinegar good for colds? Yes, it is, and many people have used it to treat colds and flu for a while now. The following are some of its benefits:
Aids In Weight Loss
A study conducted in 2009[1] showed that a steady intake of apple cider vinegar led to weight loss and reduced belly fat. It further revealed that taking a teaspoon of ACV in diluted water helped reduce weight by 2-4 pounds more than the people who don’t.
Another study[2] found that the vinegar content also increases feelings of fullness which leads to reduced consumption of calories. Another study[3] in rats showed that due to its natural antioxidant properties, apple cider vinegar reduces Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), which is unhealthy for the body, and increases High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which is good for the body.
Kills Bacteria
Besides using in cleaning wounds, vinegar is also a popular food preservative in many family kitchens. Studies[4]show it inhibits the growth of bacteria like E. Coli from growing and spoiling food. Vinegar also helps inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria found in the upper respiratory tract and on the skin.
Helps Get Rid Of Dandruff
Dandruff is caused by a fungus called Malassezia furfur. It is a naturally occurring fungus found in areas with many subcutaneous glands like the face, scalp, and body. When the fungus grows too rapidly, the renewal of cells is disturbed, and dandruff appears itchy.
Since vinegar contains antimicrobial properties, it is theorized that Apple Cider Vinegar can be used to treat[5] dandruff.
Helps Clear Acne
As a cheap but safe skin product, using apple cider vinegar to improve acne status is a famous solution in health and beauty properties. The skin will be slightly acidic after applying vinegar to acne skin. This helps keep moisture in and retain its natural softness. However, there are those with unhealthy skin pH. Apple cider vinegar has been shown[6] to help with skin conditions like eczema and inflammation.
Helps Control Blood Sugar
Apple cider vinegar blocks the digestion of starch.[7] This helps keep blood sugar down and manageable. The most effective way to regulate blood sugar levels is to regulate the intake of refined carbs and sugar. It is healthier to drop refined carbs and sugar completely, but harder for others in reality. Therefore, it’s advisable to add a teaspoon of vinegar to your meal.
Studies[8] have shown that consuming vinegar after a high-carb meal can help improve insulin sensitivity by as much as 34%. This helps the body respond well to foods with high levels of sugar.
Apple Cider Vinegar Home Remedies For Colds
Apple Cider has for a long time been used in combination with other ingredients to cure various diseases. It’s most effective during the cold and flu season. Most of the ingredients used to make these cold-relieving apple cider vinegar natural remedies are herbs that carry additional benefits for the respiratory system and the body?.
There are a lot of remedies that could help ease the common cold. However, only a few have apple cider vinegar. Some familiar ingredients that can make the cold-relieving concoctions are:
- Honey
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Lemon Juice, or a slice of lemon
The easiest way to get started is to mix the basic ingredients; a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar with a glass of warm water. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice or squeeze a lemon slice into the warm water and stir.
A second way to make it is to mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of honey and stir.
You could make a variation of ACV cold-relieving homemade remedies by adding additional herbs or spices. Adding cinnamon, honey, or ginger to step up its effectiveness.
Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Taking ACV has several benefits. However, when taken irresponsibly or in excess, it could result in several health complications. A recent study[9] on the effects of vinegar showed that consistent use of vinegar could erode tooth enamel and make it more vulnerable to tooth cavities. This is due to the acetic acid content in the ACV. It is therefore advisable to rinse your mouth with water after consumption.
Additionally, if you’re on medication, consult with a qualified specialist to gain more since vinegar interacts with certain medications.
Other Home Remedies For Colds
Some herbs like rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper have properties that benefit the respiratory system. Rather than rely on cough syrup alone, here are a few ideas to treat or prevent colds:
- Chicken Soup: Helps soothe the throat and keeps you hydrated. Chicken soup helps ease cough and cold symptoms.
- Vitamin C:It helps make flu and colds shorter and milder. It also helps maintain a strong immune system.
- Menthol ointments: They contain antibacterial properties that help unblock sinuses and congested airways. Studies suggest that menthol inhalation could help reduce coughs caused by environmental factors.
- Garlic: Garlic contains antibacterial and antiviral properties. Garlic has for a long time been incorporated into food in households as a cold-relieving remedy.
- Essential Oils:Adding essential oils like rosemary and peppermint oil to hot water and breathing in its vapor could help alleviate coughing and clear sinuses.
The Bottom Line
Apple cider vinegar no doubt carries several health benefits. It has polyphenolic properties that help fight oxidative stress and help maintain healthy body function. There isn’t a lot of scientific research to back the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in treating colds. However, many people attest to its healing properties through years of consumption.
Apple cider vinegar cold-relieving remedies and concoctions, like every other cold-relieving homemade remedy, aren’t backed by scientific research but by the nutritional health benefits of the ingredients. Should your cold symptoms be severe and persist further, please consult a doctor.
+ 9 Sources
- Kondo, T., Kishi, M., Fushimi, T., Ugajin, S., & Kaga, T. (2009). Vinegar intake reduces body weight, body fat mass, and serum triglyceride levels in obese Japanese subjects. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, 73(8), 1837–1843. https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.90231
- Darzi, J., Frost, G. S., Montaser, R., Yap, J., & Robertson, M. D. (2014). Influence of the tolerability of vinegar as an oral source of short-chain fatty acids on appetite control and food intake. International journal of obesity (2005), 38(5), 675–681. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.157
- Shishehbor, F., Mansoori, A., Sarkaki, A. R., Jalali, M. T., & Latifi, S. M. (2008). Apple cider vinegar attenuates lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats. Pakistan journal of biological sciences: PJBS, 11(23), 2634–2638. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.2634.2638
- Entani, E., Asai, M., Tsujihata, S., Tsukamoto, Y., & Ohta, M. (1998). Antibacterial action of vinegar against food-borne pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli O157:H7. Journal of food protection, 61(8), 953–959. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x-61.8.953
- Arun, Pv & Vineetha, Yaralagadda & Waheed, Maseera & Ravikanth, Koka. (2019). Quantification of the minimum amount of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar required for the growth inhibition of dandruff-causing fungi Malassezia furfur. International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences. 6. 144-147. 10.26438/ijsrbs/v6i2.144147.
- Bansal, Mansi & Budhiraja, Umesh & Bansal, Himanshu. (2020). Contemporary pursuits of vinegar from scullery to dermatology. International Journal of Research in Dermatology. 6. 10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20203539.
- Farshori, Mohammad & Alhazmi, Awdah & Al-Rudian, Salem & Al-Nasser, Hmood & Alshammari, Raja. (2019). To Study the Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) on Fasting Blood Sugar Levels of Diabetic Patients and to analyze the effects of Vinegar on Human Enzyme Amylase.
- Mitrou, P., Petsiou, E., Papakonstantinou, E., Maratou, E., Lambadiari, V., Dimitriadis, P., Spanoudi, F., Raptis, S. A., & Dimitriadis, G. (2015). Vinegar Consumption Increases Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake by the Forearm Muscle in Humans with Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of diabetes research, 2015, 175204. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/175204
- Willershausen, I., Weyer, V., Schulte, D., Lampe, F., Buhre, S., & Willershausen, B. (2014). In vitro study on dental erosion caused by different vinegar varieties using an electron microprobe. Clinical laboratory, 60(5), 783–790. https://doi.org/10.7754/clin.lab.2013.130528