Is the hype real?
I asked her what she was cooking, and she gave me a confused look.
Then she pinches her midsection and tells me shes going to get rid of her belly fat.
jayk7 / Getty Images
This was 2007, and diet culture was rampant.
I shrugged and wished her the best of luck.
Weight loss isnt the focus anymore but ACVsenergy-boostingabilities.
As a busy working mom of two, I could always use more energy.
This improvement was linked to enhanced niacin metabolism, which may play a role in mood enhancement.
Soares gave the following tips:
Dilute It
Soares advisesneverto drink ACV straight because its very acidic.
The pH is around 2 to 3, which is similar to stomach acid.
This acidity can erode tooth enamel over time, making teeth more sensitive and prone to cavities.
It can also be harsh on your throat, potentially causing irritation or even a burning sensation.
Start with a teaspoon per day and gradually increase if you tolerate it well, recommends Soares.
ACV can lower blood sugar and blood pressure, which may cause unexpected drops when combined with certain medications.
Timing
Soares says theres no strict rule for when you should take ACV.
Some people like to drink ACV before meals because it may help with digestion and blood sugar control.
Others prefer it in the morning for a metabolism boost.
Just find what works best for you.
I decided to drink it before dinner since its my largest meal of the day.
I wanted to see if it could help with digestion and potentially improve my energy levels in the evenings.
I’m making penne with Italian sausage, cannelloni beans and garlic bread.
After plating the meals, I prepare my apple cider vinegar drink.
As per Soares advice, I mix one teaspoon of ACV with a glass of water.
I drink it slowly at first.
We eat dinner at 5:00 p.m.
The kids go on their screens while I clean up the dishes and take a shower.
I notice some gassiness I felt earlier is gone.
Im not as bloated as I usually am when I eat a lot of pasta and garlic.
Day 2
Another decent nights rest.
Im feeling lucky because I rarely get two nights ofgood sleepin a row.
The kids are downstairs watching TV.
Were out of milk.
My stomach feels a bit irritated from drinking black coffee.
I toast blueberry bagels with lots of butter for our breakfasts.
I increase my ACV intake to two teaspoons with a glass of water.
I dont notice any difference in tartness or taste.
My stomach is handling it so far.
The kids are asking for dessert, and we have leftover apple pie from my parents.
Day 3
My luck changed, and my sleep was horrible.
I had avivid dreamabout taking an exam I didnt study for.
I woke up at 2 a.m. in a panicked frenzy.
Then I had to use the washroom.
Im groggy when I wake up.
The day is slow.
Im not too hungry, so I sip coffee while the kids eat oatmeal.
Later, I take my ACV before heading to my parents for dinner.
They bought a decadent chocolate cake for dessert.
I have a large piece of it with vanilla ice cream.
I think Im going to regret it in the evening.
Day 4
Its Sunday and I have another bad night of interrupted sleep.
This time, my son came into our bed and was tossing and turning.
I barely got five hours of sleep in total.
Im wiped out and starving.
I scarf down peanut butter and banana toast.
We head to the community center to make DIY stickers.
The room is stuffy with lots of kids, and Im exhausted.
I attempt to do some stretches while the kids keep busy.
We head home, and I make stir-fried pork, cabbage, and onion with rice noodles for dinner.
I mix three teaspoons of ACV with water.
I can taste the difference, but it doesnt affect my stomach.
Im trying to survive without blowing up at the kids or my husband for the rest of the night.
The kids finally sleep, and I procrastinate getting myself to bed.
My body is tired, but my brain is racing.
We watch an episode of “The Sopranos” before I go up to crash.
Day 5
I wake up feeling more energized today.
Its Monday and my parents are watching the kids.
My husband drops them off at 9 a.m., and I start my laptop up.
I finish an article and send a few emails before lunch.
Then I do my leg workout and start the outline for another piece.
I go pick the kids up and we head to the playground.
I bring my book and read a few chapters.
Its a beautiful day.
I take my ACV before heating the leftover noodles.
Today, it slightly burns my throat, and I drink half of it.
I finish the other half after dinner.
After cleaning up, we go on our evening family walk around the block.
The weather is nice and the sun isnt setting until later.
My husband and I stay up past 11, watching “The Sopranos.”
I get the whole house to myself for the day.
I edit an article and come up with pitches for a client.
I make a grilled cheese for lunch and do my chest and back workout after.
I make soy sauce chicken for dinner with rice and green beans.
I sip my ACV.
The kids come home and theyre starving.
We eat dinner and they tell me about their day.
I give my son a bath and Im feeling chill.
My energy levels are stable, and we take our time with stories.
The kids dont get to bed until 9.
We come back and decide to go out for dinner.
We head to our favorite pizza joint.
I forgot to drink my ACV before leaving so I take it when I come home.
I up the ACV to four teaspoons.
Im pretty beat, but my husband says its family skate night at the community center.
We haul our skates and helmets and do some rounds on the rink.
Im beyond exhausted at this point.
I hurry through the bedtime routines and jump in the shower.
Takeaways
The biggest improvement I saw with taking ACV daily was my digestion.
I experienced less bloating on the days when I ate foods that typically gave me gas.
The diluted concoction made it easier to swallow and was gentle on my stomach.
Taking it with the largest meal of the day was very effective.
The acidity of ACV combined with my cup of joe would have irritated my stomach in the mornings.
Should You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar to Boost Your Energy?
Overall, I didnt notice a huge difference in my energy levels throughout the week.
Also, I didnt have manysugar cravingsafter dinner.
Your experience may be different.
While ACV doesnt directly boost energy like coffee or B vitamins, it might help in a roundabout way.
Keeping blood sugar steady means fewer mood swings and less fatigue throughout the day, says Soares.
While ACV doesnt directly boost energy like coffee or B vitamins, it might help in a roundabout way.
Prioritizinggood sleep, hydration, and balanced meals is a better bet.
While ACV has health benefits, its not a cure-all.
If you love ACV and feel good taking it, great!
But if its not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to stay healthy, advises Soares.
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