Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a common disorder of our endocrine system and affects women who are in their reproductive age. In India, the prevalence rate of PCOS is about 22.5%, which is quite high compared to other countries.
PCOS is characterized by having irregular or long periods and can cause excessive hair growth in females, along with acne, weight gain, and even infertility. Although PCOS is caused by genetics, there are available several home remedies to counteract its symptoms.
Among these, apple cider vinegar (ACV), made from crushed and fermented apples, is believed to be a safe and effective remedy for dealing with the symptoms of PCOS.
In this blog, we will try to address all your questions regarding apple cider vinegar for PCOS and discuss its top 10 health benefits for people suffering from this disorder.
Apple cider vinegar is often recommended as a home remedy for women with PCOS. The reason is that women suffering from PCOS have an increased risk of diabetes. And ACV has been found to be helpful in reducing insulin resistance.
In a 2017 study, it was found that ACV improved insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS. In another 2013 study, ACV helped in restoring normal ovulatory function in women in 40 days.
Taking a small amount of ACV (around 1-3 tablespoons) before a meal can reduce the amount of sugar that is absorbed in our bloodstream.
Moreover, ACV is naturally antibacterial in nature, which inhibits the growth of bacteria in our gut and helps prevent leaky gut syndrome in women with PCOS.
Another 2012 study found that ACV might be good for regulating blood sugar levels and lipid parameters in adults. Thus, consuming apple vinegar can be good for your weight loss goals too.
Apple cider vinegar is made from crushed apples, which are then fermented. During the fermentation process, various beneficial compounds like enzymes, acetic acid, and healthy bacteria form, which gives ACV its unique health properties.
Below, we have discussed the top 10 health benefits of ACV.
A main symptom of PCOS is insulin sensitivity, which results in high blood sugar levels. This is because our body has trouble reacting to the insulin hormone. High blood sugar levels can further worsen PCOS in women.
However, studies and research have found that ACV helps improve insulin sensitivity in our body. This helps our body respond better to insulin and also maintains healthy levels of blood sugar in our body. This can help in regulating our hormones and reduce the symptoms of PCOS.
Weight gain is another common concern in women suffering from PCOS. Apple vinegar has been shown to be effective in regulating our lipid profile, which makes it a viable solution for weight management.
Moreover, ACV can also have slight benefits in increasing our metabolism, which can further regulate our body weight. However, ACV is just a supplement, and it is important to incorporate fat-burning exercises along with eating a balanced diet to manage our body weight.
Experiencing digestive issues, bloating, gas, and constipation is common with women suffering from PCOS /PCOD. This is where ACV can act as a natural remedy.
ACV stimulates the production of certain digestive enzymes, which help in improving our digestion, leading to better gut health. This can further alleviate the digestive issues that women experience with PCOS.
High cholesterol and triglyceride levels in our body can lead to an increased risk of heart attack. High cholesterol levels stem from an unhealthy diet and have also been linked to PCOS.
ACV has been found to lower our cholesterol levels. It acts by increasing our levels of good cholesterol and decreasing blood triglyceride levels.
ACV is antifungal and antibacterial in nature. It is also high in pectin, which is a polysaccharide and helps improve your skin's barrier. Making apple vinegar a part of your skin routine makes your skin glow.
ACV might be the skincare ingredient you always needed, from reducing wrinkles and acne and balancing pH to lightening dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Take a clean piece of cotton and apply 2-3 drops of ACV on it. Wash your face and apply the cotton all over your face. Finish off with a moisturizer.
Apple vinegar is rich in vitamin C. Thus, it can be the perfect ingredient to add to your diet as it can help you strengthen your immune system.
If you are suffering from a cold or flu, drinking ACV in the morning can help fight infections and lead to faster recovery. You can also start drinking ACV regularly to prevent falling sick. The vitamin C present in it strengthens our body’s natural defenses and wards off infections and diseases.
ACV has antibacterial properties that combat harmful pathogens in our bodies. It stimulates our body’s natural detoxification process by promoting lymphatic drainage and improving circulation. This helps to flush out harmful microorganisms from our bodies.
ACV also acts as a liver cleanser by optimizing the liver’s detoxifying abilities. It helps the liver break down toxins and facilitates their elimination from our body.
Apple cider vinegar is used as a home remedy for acid reflux. Although more research is needed to support this, ACV balances out the pH level in our stomach. This may help in reducing acid reflux to some extent.
However, if you are suffering from severe heartburn or GRE, it is advised not to treat yourself with ACV as it may worsen your conditions.
ACV contains high concentrations of vitamin C. Also known as acetic acid, vitamin C helps in the absorption of nutrients in our bloodstream.
Moreover, ACV improves our glycemic status as it delays gastric emptying. This enhances lipolysis and cellular glucose utilization, which also indirectly impacts nutrient absorption and utilization.
It is important to remember that ACV is available in a highly concentrated form, and it is also a vinegar, which means it is highly acidic in nature. Thus, you should always exercise precaution before having it.
The regular dosage for ACV is to take 15 ml of ACV liquid and dilute it in 200 ml of water. For treating PCOS, a study found that taking 15 ml of the liquid mixed with 100 ml of water immediately after dinner produced the best results.
If you want to take ACV for weight loss and regulating your lipid profile, you can take it first thing in the morning. Thus, now you know how to drink apple cider vinegar for PCOS. For personalized advice on incorporating apple cider vinegar into your diet, please consult a nutritionist.
The time it takes for ACV to work for PCOS can vary from person to person. However, if you want to see the desired results, you will need to be consistent with your intake.
Ideally, you should take ACV for at least 4-5 weeks or even two months for it to work. Moreover, you should take it as a part of a balanced diet. Also, remember to engage in daily physical activity, as this will keep you healthy and in a good mood.
If you have low potassium levels in your body, then you might want to consult with a doctor before taking it, as it might further lower potassium levels in your body.
Moreover, ACV can also interact with medicines like insulin. In such cases, it is always advisable to take suggestions from your health provider.
ACV is a great home remedy and can be useful for women suffering from PCOS. It has several health benefits and can strengthen our immune system and keep us healthy.
Living with PCOS can be challenging, which is why if you, too have this condition, you can give ACV a try.
However, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor before starting any supplements for treating any specific health condition.
Apple cider vinegar helps our body to convert food proteins into amino acids. Amino acids are responsible for a variety of important functions in our body, including the regulation of our hormones. So, apple cider vinegar, thus, in fact, can help to balance female hormones.
Studies have found that drinking this vinegar can lead to regularization of menstrual cycles. However, there is still no concrete scientific evidence present to back these claims.
Studies have found that ACV can lead to the reduction or complete elimination of ovarian cysts that arise from nutritional deficiencies. Also, drinking this type of vinegar can lead to more regular periods, although there is no concrete scientific backing for the same.
Yes, studies have indeed found that apple vinegar can be beneficial for treating ovarian cysts. However, studies have been carried out on ovarian cysts that formed due to PCOS and not due to other health issues.
