Proven Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey 

Apple Cider Vinegar is a home remedy that has been used for centuries. People have found various ways to use it whether it be used as a cleaning disinfectant, salad dressing, and even a health supplement.  

Apple Cider Vinegar is a home remedy that has been used for centuries. People haveMany people have claimed that it can relieve a variety of health complaints, but the medicinal powers of this concoction- also called oxyml- are largely unknown, as there is very little scientific evidence on the topic.
 found various ways to use it whether it be used as a cleaning disinfectant, salad dressing, and even a health supplement.  

With that being said, apple cider vinegar and honey have been studied individually and both prove to have some impressive health benefits. I mean why else would these remedies prove so timeless? 

In this article we are going to dig into the health benefits you can experience from adding apple cider vinegar and honey to your daily routine, and why these two substances have been around for so long. 

What is apple cider vinegar? 

Apple Cider Vinegar contains an element known as acetic acid, a substance that helps kickstart your metabolism and encourage your body to use fat for energy instead of storing it as weight. It can also help detoxify the body by binding to toxins in the liver, aiding the body to remove them. This, in turn, supports colon cleansing and relieves bloating.  

A small June 2015 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking vinegar before a meal not only increased muscle glucose uptake, it also decreased arterial plasma insulin and increased blood flow to muscles in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, or prediabetes. This study shows that vinegar might be beneficial in improving insulin resistance and glucose control in people with prediabetes. 

It can help kill bacteria! 

Another benefit of apple cider vinegar is that it has antimicrobial properties. It has been shown to inhibit growth of E. coli, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus- the bacteria also known as “staph” that can cause skin infections, pneumonia and even food poisoning.  

Because of these antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar has been used to treat certain skin conditions such as acne and open wounds.  

May Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels and Manage Diabetes  

To date, one of the most convincing applications of vinegar is to help treat type 2 diabetes.  

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance or the inability to produce insulin. The most effective and healthiest way to regulate blood sugar levels is to avoid refined carbs and sugar, but apple cider vinegar may also have a beneficial effect.

Research suggests that vinegar offers the following benefits for blood sugar and insulin levels: 

A small study by the American Diabetes Association suggests vinegar may improve insulin sensitivity by 19–34% during a high carb meal and significantly lower blood sugar and insulin response. Another study by PubMed shows that vinegar can improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels after meals.   

Help Aid in Weight Loss 

Another health benefit you might be wondering is if apple cider vinegar will help you lose weight. Although this is not for certain, when consumed-without honey- apple cider vinegar has been shown to boost weight loss.  

An April 2018 study published in the Journal of Functional Foods found that people who drank apple cider vinegar before a meal while restricting their daily food intake by 250 calories lost more weight than people who followed the same calorie-restricted diet without supplementing with apple cider vinegar. 

Health Benefits of Honey 

Honey bees make honey from flower nectar, which they collect and store in their beehive. The enzymes in the bee saliva break down the sugar in the nectar and create glucose and fructose, the two main components of honey.  

Besides glucose and fructose, honey is mainly composed of water and small amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols.  

Antimicrobial properties 

Similar to apple cider vinegar, honey has antimicrobial properties. Meaning, it can fight off unwanted germs and harmful bacteria. Applying honey topically can promote the healing of infected wounds such as acne and scratches. Honey masks ever ring a bell? The reason honey, the sweet substance it is, has such impressive healing properties is its hydrogen peroxide content, acidity and high osmolarity components.  

Promote a healthy gut! 

A February 2017 review published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, found that honey has also been shown to soothe symptoms of digestive issues, aid in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and treat sore throats. If you have a sore throat or are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, constipation, diarrhea or gastroenteritis, taking honey might soothe your symptoms. 

Helping relieve cold-like symptoms  

It’s no secret that a popular home remedy for soothing a sore throat is honey! The sweet, viscous substance does a great job of soothing throats and improving sleep more than any antihistamine on the market. Another study of 105 children showed that buckwheat honey also outperformed dextromethorphan in suppressing coughs at night.  

Studies in Italy, using wildflower honey, and Israel, using eucalyptus honeys found that the gooey stuff outperformed placebos in reducing both nighttime coughs and sleeping troubles in children with respiratory infections. 

Bottom Line 

Although there are many claims on the internet that support the use of Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey, it’s important to read the claims that are backed by science! As noted above, these substances used on it’s own have proven benefits to your digestion, blood sugar levels, and skin health. They also both share properties that can kill off bad bacteria and help relieve cold-like symptoms! Apple cider vinegar and honey are both powerful as home remedies but make sure to use them safely by consuming small amounts separately. Used appropriately, apple cider vinegar and honey can boost your health by relieving imbalances in the body.