Apple cider vinegar has been used for millennia, due to its potent properties to heal numerous different ailments.
Apple cider vinegar empties the stomach and provides a feeling of satiety, so it is excellent for weight loss. It has powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties, and treats yeast infections and Athlete’s foot.
Moreover, a Chinese study found that apple cider vinegar can lower the risk of esophageal cancer by 37%. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, and thus reduces the risk of cancer.
The anti-glycemic properties of apple cider vinegar make is helpful in the case of diabetes, and it can prevent the digestion of starches which raise the blood sugar levels.
However, if combined with some medications, apple cider vinegar can cause serious side effects and lead to some health issues, since it reduces the levels of potassium in the body. Therefore, do not use it in case you take any of the following medications:
Diuretics – Diuril, Lasix, Microzidea, and Thalitone
These medications treat bloating by stimulating the elimination of the accumulated liquids. Yet, since apple cider vinegar lowers the levels of potassium in the body, and it maintains the water balance, it might cause dehydration.
Insulin
Insulin is taken to balance the blood sugar levels, but if you combine it with apple cider vinegar, they might significantly lower the potassium and blood sugar levels.
Digoxin or Lanoxin
These medications are taken in the case of heart diseases. Yet, as apple cider vinegar obstructs the absorption of potassium in the organism, it also raises the risk of side effects like dizziness, mood swings, vomiting, vision problems, and diarrhea.
Furthermore, avoid apple cider vinegar in the following cases:
Diabetics
Apple cider vinegar lowers the levels of potassium in the body, as well as insulin, so if combines, they can reduce these levels to extremes.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers
Pregnant women should avoid it as its effects on the fetus and the body during pregnancy are still unclear. Also, it might negatively affect the newborns, so breastfeeding mothers should not use apple cider vinegar as well.
Postmenopausal women
The reduced potassium levels in the body might lead to osteoporosis, and post-menstrual women have reduced bones density, so they should avoid the use of apple cider vinegar too.