The Best Time of Day To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar, Says Dietitian
If you're looking for popular food and beverage trends to help lose weight and support your overall health, chances are you've crossed paths with apple cider vinegar. Whether you drink it by itself, with a mixture, or take a supplement, you're supposed to reap the benefits of the apple cider vinegar (although it's not the best-tasting ingredient you'll ever consume).
Are you up for drinking apple cider vinegar every day to see what benefits are in store for you? If so, you want to make sure you get the most out of it. That includes drinking it at particular times of the day that are more beneficial. According to Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, and member of our Medical Expert Board, there are two best times of day to drink apple cider vinegar: in the morning and before a meal.
"To me, there are two great times to drink apple cider vinegar," says Shapiro. "One is before a meal, as it may curb your appetite and help with the digestion of carbohydrates, lowering any blood sugar spikes."
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In one study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who ate a serving of white wheat bread with vinegar during a meal reported feeling more full afterward compared to subjects who ate the bread without vinegar. Participants also reported being fuller when the acidity in the vinegar was higher.
Although not certain if the vinegar without the bread would have the same effect, if it is the case, researchers believe that having vinegar before a meal could help you feel fuller faster, potentially leading to weight loss.
Other research has demonstrated that those who are at risk for type 2 diabetes have a better chance to control their blood glucose level but consume vinegar with meals due to its acid. The acid inhibits the digestion of carbohydrates in the digestive tract.
If having a tablespoon or two after each meal is too much, Shapiro also recommends drinking it in the morning.
"The other time would be in the morning to help populate your gut with healthy bacteria, as apple cider vinegar is a fermented food. On an empty stomach, it can promote a balanced and nourished microbiome," says Shapiro.
A healthy gut in the morning is important to help digest food properly. If you don't have a healthy gut, you can suffer from problems like bloating, gas, and a weakened immune system. To avoid that, a step you can take is to eat gut-healthy foods like ones with probiotics such as sauerkraut, yogurt, and of course, apple cider vinegar.
As a bonus, Shapiro also mentions another potential time you can consume apple cider vinegar.
"Additionally, I like to drink apple cider vinegar at night sometimes as a digestif. It helps with digestion."
Although apple cider vinegar is not an alcoholic beverage, it can still act as a digestif that you can enjoy as a nightcap. Similar to the liquors, an apple cider after-dinner drink can help your digestion track process any rich food.
