{"id":57815,"date":"2023-04-03T09:30:23","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T13:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=57815"},"modified":"2024-11-14T10:06:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T15:06:08","slug":"can-apple-cider-vinegar-lower-blood-pressure-immediately","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-apple-cider-vinegar-lower-blood-pressure-immediately\/","title":{"rendered":"Can apple cider vinegar lower your blood pressure?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you have <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s important to do what you can to bring it down to a healthier level, since people with high blood pressure have an <\/span>increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and strokes<\/span><\/a>. If you\u2019ve adjusted your diet, increased your exercise, reduced stress, and started an antihypertensive medication like <\/span>propranolol<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>lisinopril<\/span><\/a> but are still struggling to maintain a healthy blood pressure, consider adding one more treatment to your regimen: apple cider vinegar.<\/span><\/p>\n

This seemingly random ingredient is touted as a superfood in recent years because a small-but-growing body of evidence suggests it may work wonders on physical health,\u00a0 decreasing acid reflux, lowering blood sugar, and aiding in weight loss. But can apple cider vinegar really do everything people say it can, including <\/span>lowering blood pressure<\/span><\/a>? Here\u2019s what you need to know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is apple cider vinegar good for high blood pressure?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a type of vinegar made from the fermented sugar of apples. It\u2019s used in salad dressings, marinades, and other recipes thanks to its slightly sweet, tangy flavor and similar nutritional profile to apple juice. ACV is sold in two forms\u2014with and without the \u201cmother.\u201d The \u201cmother\u201d is the bacteria created during the manufacturing process that turns the naturally occurring alcohol (created from the fermentation process) into acetic acid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApple cider vinegar is an incredibly beneficial probiotic-rich health aid [and the \u201cmother\u201d] is full of beneficial bacteria for the gut microbiome,\u201d says nurse practitioner and nutrition expert <\/span>Cynthia Thurlow<\/span><\/a>, author of <\/span>Intermittent Fasting Transformation<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When ACV is sold without the \u201cmother,\u201d it has been filtered to give the vinegar a clearer and more appetizing appearance, but the \u201cmother\u201d bacteria gives ACV more beneficial health properties. If you\u2019re buying liquid ACV in the hope of lowering your blood pressure, make sure you choose a brand that comes with this beneficial bacteria: It\u2019s the <\/span>probiotics and nutrients in the \u201cmother,\u201d<\/span><\/a> along with the health benefits of acetic acid, that can improve your digestive, immune, and cardiovascular systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As for whether or not ACV can <\/span>actually <\/span><\/i>induce a significant reduction in blood pressure, the data is mixed. Research is limited but generally positive, says <\/span>Kimberley Wiemann<\/span><\/a>, MS, RDN, a Long Island-based dietitian. She points to a<\/span>\u00a02022 review of randomized controlled trials<\/span><\/a> suggesting that for every ounce of apple cider vinegar consumed, both diastolic and systolic blood pressure could be decreased by over three points. Keeping in mind that most people with high blood pressure routinely exceed the normal healthy range by 10-30 points, ACV\u2019s benefit acts as a minor helper.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, many experts are hesitant to assign too many superpowers to ACV since the research is still so minimal; many of the studies performed have been on small populations or on rats rather than humans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to know that while ACV is often sold as a nutritional supplement in many forms, including liquid, tablet, and capsule, it\u2019s not regulated by the FDA. Manufacturers can include as much or as little of the beneficial ingredients as they want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to look at the doses to make sure you\u2019re not overdoing it on the vinegar intake,\u201d says <\/span>Jeanette Kimszal<\/span><\/a>, a registered dietitian at Thyroid Nutrition Educators.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of apple cider vinegar<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although ACV isn\u2019t a cure-all for serious health conditions like hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes, it seems likely that it does have some properties that could make it a helpful addition to an otherwise healthy lifestyle and diet\u2014such as these potential benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintain healthy blood pressure<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to Kimszal, ACV contains small amounts of enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, and healthy bacteria, which can decrease oxidative stress, increase nitric acid, and help regulate blood pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The acetic acid in ACV, adds Kimszal, has been shown to lower the activity of a blood <\/span>pressure-altering hormone called renin<\/span><\/a> in some animal studies, but it\u2019s unknown if it has the same effects in humans.<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, chugging a shot glass of ACV won\u2019t lower your blood pressure immediately nor will it lower it much. The little evidence of ACV\u2019s blood-pressure-lowering effect comes from consuming a certain amount daily, over the course of several days and weeks, though this has primarily only been seen in <\/span>rat studies<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lower blood glucose<\/span><\/h3>\n

There is a little more evidence that ACV helps lower blood glucose, which is beneficial to heart health; having <\/span>consistently high levels of blood sugar can stress your blood vessels<\/span><\/a>, making your heart work harder and increasing the risk of hypertension. \u201cApple cider vinegar is believed to lower blood glucose,\u201d says Wiemann, noting that a 2022 study found <\/span>consuming ACV with meals lowered blood glucose levels by 20%<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lower cholesterol<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cholesterol also plays a key role in keeping blood pressure levels low. In a similar way to blood glucose, <\/span>high cholesterol levels for decades can stress the heart by forcing it to pump harder<\/span><\/a> and trigger hypertension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kimszal points to two studies suggesting the daily consumption of ACV may lower cholesterol: one that studied the effect of <\/span>30 mL of ACV for eight weeks<\/span><\/a> and one that studied <\/span>15 mL of ACV for two weeks<\/span><\/a>. In both, blood lipid levels were lower at the end of the study.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assist with weight loss<\/span><\/h3>\n

This one is a long game: Consuming ACV with meals may help you eat a little less by suppressing your appetite, says Kimszal\u2014and <\/span>people who maintain a healthy BMI are less likely to have hypertension<\/span><\/a>. However, both of our experts warned against using ACV as a \u201cquick fix\u201d or \u201csilver bullet\u201d for weight loss, noting that sustainable weight management comes from a balanced healthy diet and regular exercise. Basically, ACV may be <\/span>helpful as a part of a weight loss diet<\/span><\/a>, but it shouldn\u2019t be your only strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to use apple cider vinegar to lower blood pressure<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re willing to try supplementing with ACV to lower your blood pressure, it\u2019s likely safe to do so (with some caveats). But it\u2019s important to understand that there are no official dosage recommendations about how much to consume or when.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter what time of day you consume ACV if your goal is to lower blood pressure, and studies have looked at consuming anywhere from one to five tablespoons daily, with varying results. \u201cGenerally, taking four teaspoons, or 20 mL, of apple cider vinegar before meals has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels after eating,\u201d Kimszal says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note, however, that this is about lowering blood <\/span>sugar<\/span><\/i>, not blood pressure\u2014while lowering blood sugar can assist with lowering blood pressure in the long run, it\u2019s not a direct cause and effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be careful with ACV as it is very acidic and can irritate your mouth, teeth, throat, and stomach. Kimszal says some of the best ways to consume ACV daily include:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Diluting it in an eight-ounce glass of water<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Adding it to homemade salad dressings and marinades<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Adding a teaspoon to teas, smoothies, and protein shakes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    In general, you should be able to consume ACV daily even if you take blood pressure medications\u2014in fact, it may even be a good idea. <\/span>A 2016 study<\/span><\/a> found the combination of ACV and the blood pressure medication Procardia XL to lower blood pressure in rats better than ACV alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Still, check with your healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your diet when you\u2019re on prescription drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Side effects of apple cider vinegar\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Drinking raw ACV is mostly safe but can have some side effects. It can irritate your esophagus and erode tooth enamel, says Kimszal, and may causel stomach upset.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    More seriously, ACV can lower potassium levels, an effect that may be increased if you take other medications designed to lower your potassium levels, such as <\/span>digoxin<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>diuretics<\/span><\/a>. Potassium is an important electrolyte in the blood that needs to remain in the normal range.\u00a0 This is because potassium helps conduct electricity in the cardiac cells and helps your heart beat correctly. If you take potassium-lowering drugs, talk to your healthcare provider before consuming ACV to make sure your levels don\u2019t drop too low. You should also be mindful of consuming ACV if you have diabetes or take insulin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cThe combination of insulin and large amounts of apple cider vinegar may decrease potassium levels, [which] can cause insulin levels to go too low,\u201d says Kimszal. \u201cApple cider vinegar may lower blood sugar levels, so the combination of diabetic medications and ACV could cause a significant drop in blood sugar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Finally, Wiemann says that taking ACV may cause delayed stomach emptying, which could be a concern for people with <\/span>diabetes who take insulin<\/span><\/a> because it could be difficult to time it properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n