The human gut contains a large number of microorganisms including bacteria known as the gut microbiota, and these microorganisms are important for our overall digestive health [1]. Like other fermented foods such as yoghurt, our raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar can be considered a probiotic as it contains healthy bacteria which help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, and Apple Cider Vinegar is particularly beneficial as apples contain pectin which has been shown to aid digestion [2,3].
Our gut microbiome is not only important for our digestive health, as recent research has found it to be closely linked to our immune function [4]. One of the main functions of our microbiota is to protect our intestine from harmful pathogens and bacteria that enter our gut, and maintaining a healthy gut microbiota helps our gut immune system to fight harmful pathogens efficiently [5].
The main component of Apple Cider Vinegar is acetic acid, and this has recently gained a lot of interest as it has been found to be effective in reducing blood glucose levels [6]. Apple Cider Vinegar may therefore be able to help in the daily management of type 2 diabetes, as well as reducing the risk of obesity which is frequently associated with diabetes [6].
1. Davis CD. The gut microbiome and its role in obesity. Nutrition today. 2016 Jul;51(4):167-174.
2. Holzapfel C. Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss and Good Health. Book Publishing Company; 2001 Dec 31.
3. Le Chatelier E, Nielsen T, Qin J, et al. Richness of human gut microbiome correlates with metabolic markers. Nature. 2013; 500:541–546.
4. Velasquez-Manoff M. Gut microbiome: the peacekeepers. Scientific American. 2015 Mar 1;312(3):S3-11.
5. Kamada N, Seo SU, Chen GY, Núñez G. Role of the gut microbiota in immunity and inflammatory disease. Nature Reviews Immunology. 2013 May;13(5):321.
6. Morgan J, Mosawy S. The potential of apple cider vinegar in the management of type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Diabetes Research. 2016;5(6):129-34.