Apple cider vinegar, also known as cider vinegar or ACV, is a type of vinegar which is made from cider or apple must. It has a pale to medium amber color. It is used in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, food preservatives, and chutneys. It is made in the following way: first you crush the apples and squeeze the liquid. Then you add bacteria and yeast to the liquid and start the alcohol fermentation process; here the sugars are turned into alcohol. In the second fermentation process, the alcohol is turned into vinegar by the acetic acid forming bacteria. This acid gives the vinegar its sour taste.

Effects of apple cider vinegar:

Normally, apple cider vinegar is safe for adults when consumed for medical purposes for a short term. However in some cases, it might not be safe. A long-term consumption might lead to health concerns such as low potassium. It can also indirectly cause osteoporosis as well. Research also shows that apple cider vinegar can also cause the voice box in the throat to develop tenderness and pain and can eventually cause a person to have some swallowing issues. This all is caused due to the acid content in the vinegar.

Other effects of apple cider vinegar may include some stomach problems and diabetes. It may help in lowering the blood sugar levels in some diabetic patients. It can also weaken the tooth enamel because of its high acid content. Apple cider vinegar can also cause damage to the skin and throat if it is consumed without proper dosage- an excess can cause this. It also has the ability to lower the potassium level in the blood due to an excess in the consumption. Also, it can decrease the bone density which may lead to osteoporosis.
Apple cider vinegar may also cause heartburn and gastro-intestinal problems. Since apple cider vinegar is commonly used as a detoxifier, it can cause people to experience some sort of intestinal problems like diarrhea and heartburn. If people are consuming apple cider vinegar regularly and they realize that these symptoms are not subsiding eventually, they should stop consuming it any further.

Drug information:

Apple cider vinegar may be combined with certain medicinal drugs like digoxin (heart medication), diuretics like Lasix (furosemide), prescription laxatives and someinsulin. This is why it is advised that you should consult your doctor before taking any medicines since you might accidently face any side effects of this apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has both advantages and disadvantages to its consumption, but since its disadvantages outnumber the advantages, one should be careful with the amount they consume.