This wellness trend makes a host of compelling health claims. But what are the benefits of apple cider vinegar shots?
It can be hard to keep up with health and wellness trends…and many sound too good to be true. Let’s unpack one of the latest. Taking a shot of apple cider vinegar a day is rumored to help with weight loss and boost immunity, among other health benefits.
Here’s what you need to know!
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
ACV is fermented apple juice. It naturally contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid, potassium, biotin and magnesium. It’s different than the vinegar you usually cook with, so look for Bragg’s or a similar brand.
A growing trend for using ACV for health purposes has resulted in a long list of alleged benefits. Here’s a quick summary:
weight loss
better digestion
healthier immune system
reduced appetite
balanced blood sugar
That’s a lot for one shot of apple cider vinegar. Phew!
The Reality
While vinegar has been used in medicine for hundreds of years, most reputable sources, such as the Mayo Clinic, don’t advise swallowing shots of vinegar. There’s no real evidence to back up most of the health claims. Even worse, taking shots of the highly acidic liquid can damage the enamel of your teeth, as well as harm your esophagus and even lungs.
Of course, apple cider vinegar remains a great ingredient to add to your healthy (and hearty!) recipes. If you’ve got a spare bottle of ACV in your pantry, try making this saucy Kansas city-style ribs recipe.
These chicken fajitas will definitely become a staple in your home. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. You'll be shocked at how quickly these come together!
Go to Recipe
This quick Mediterranean meal is mostly flavored with tomatoes and feta cheese. You can season the pork to your taste, or even substitute the pork for chicken thighs.
This healthy dinner recipe is on par with what you'd get at a restaurant. It's simple and accessible to everyone. Don't be afraid to season the chicken before cooking!
This springtime dish looks beautiful on any dinner table. The parmesan cream sauce pleasantly seasons the vegetables. Adding a protein is optional, but we recommend shrimp or chicken sausage.
If you have a bigger family, or just a penchant for leftovers, this speedy dinner is the one for you. The side dish and main course cook together, leaving you more time to go about your day!
Who said cheeseburgers and mac and cheese couldn't be healthy? This one-skillet dinner is a hit with kids and adults. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry!
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This chop suey-inspired meal uses fruit instead of vegetables. The colorful outcome is sweetened with apples and pineapples. You can serve this with chow mein noddles for an extra crunch.
Lettuce wraps are the holy grail for those who like extra crunch in their meals. You can substitute the ground beef for ground turkey for an even healthier spin.
Fish recipes, especially healthy cod recipes, seem difficult with kids or picky eaters. But rest easy, because this lemon cod is simple, easy and enjoyed by all. We recommend fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
This classic chimichurri is given a Hawaiian twist thanks to pineapple and macadamia nuts. For a spicier version, substitute red serrano pepper for the bell pepper.
Think deconstructed Hawaiian pizza. The pork chops are served on a bed of pineapple and green pepper. It's sweet, savory and a soon to be family favorite.
This baked haddock is crunchy and buttery—everything you'd want from fish. The lemon and garlic work together as the best flavor combination. It'd go great with any of these healthy side dishes!
This dish is made complete with a side of brown rice or couscous. Make use of the dill from your garden and try out this tasty recipe! You'll turn the most stubborn broccoli haters on their heads.
Quesadilla night is always the best night. Dipped in sour cream, these cheesy spinach and tomato quesadillas are a dream. Remove the spinach from the heat as soon as it wilts.
This healthy dish is not only pretty to look at, but it also has the perfect flavor profile. It's a bit sweet from the peanut butter and brown sugar, and then packs a bit of heat through the red pepper flakes. You can double the sauce depending on your preference.
This lemon, garlic and honey salmon is served with green beans. This pairing is great for a quick and light dinner. You'll come back to the lemon dressing again and again!
This healthy dinner recipe is contingent on what jarred meatless pasta sauce you use, so be sure to use your favorite! What makes this dish spicy is a can of green chiles. If that's not your preference, adjust accordingly. Serve this meal with warm cornbread, sourdough or French bread.
The best part of takeout is the egg rolls. But when you're feeling like a home cooked meal, egg rolls can prove rather tricky to make. This recipe takes the hard part of frying out of the equation, but leaves all of the taste. If you prefer a traditional egg roll made with wrappers, you can use this as the filling!
This is quinoa done right! This black bean and corn dinner can be topped with avocado or cheese. To avoid mushy quinoa, measure your ingredients accurately and avoid excess liquid.
This stir fry will satisfy all your needs. If you like it saucy, double or even triple the amount of sauce. You can add more vegetables too, like broccoli or mushrooms.
Curry powder and greek yogurt are the stars of this Indian-inspired curry shrimp. This is a nice change of pace from classic shrimp recipes that hopefully acts as the catalyst to trying more Indian dinners.
Have you ever thought of bruschetta without bread? This steak is innovative, tasty and pretty great served with bread. Give it a try with flat iron or tenderloin.
When a recipe has "smothered" in the title, you know that it's going to be a good one. The chicken sits under a layer of melted cheese in a dish that comes together quickly for a nice family dinner.
You'll wonder why you haven't made this healthy dinner already. This spicy dish can be served with tortilla chips or a guacamole salad. It can even be stored up to four days in the refrigerator.
The great thing about pizza is that anything goes. The topping can range from fruits and veggies to meat to dessert. This healthy dinner recipe relies on your garden's bounty, so pile on anything you've got!
These naked fish tacos bring forth the joys of eating fish tacos without any of the mess. This tortilla-less meal can be served with rice or corn if you want it to be a little more filling.
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. They'd make an excellent addition to any picnic or potluck too. You can even try these with shrimp instead of crab!
With fennel and tarragon, this is a savory and tangy dish. Normally, shrimp and coleslaw isn't the first combination you'd think of, but the pairing resembles that of a deconstructed shrimp taco. You can even use chicken in place of shrimp!
You've heard of chicken florentine, but get ready for tilapia florentine! This simple and healthy dish uses spinach and ricotta cheese. You can use any whitefish for this recipe and really make it your own.
You'll love this avocado and tomato salsa. The chicken is seasoned generously, with a bit of heat coming from the chili powder and paprika. This helps the salsa shine even more.
A good orzo recipe sticks with you forever, and this one will easily claim a spot in your heart—but mostly your stomach! The feta cheese really brings this dish together. Check out these heart-healthy suppers that will have both your heart and your taste buds thanking you!
The sugar snap peas add a different crunch than you'd normally see in a pasta dish. But that's what makes it so fun! These leftovers make a great lunch the next day.
Ready-to-go crabmeat makes these delicate patties easier than other crab cake recipes. You can use a little extra mayo to make them more moist, but these delicious crab cakes really hold their own.
This southwestern take on lasagna is not as heavy as traditional lasagna due to the lack of noodles. You can use ground turkey or a leaner ground beef if you're looking to customize it a little more.
Kids love anything on a stick. And honestly, so do adults! These skewers will make the rounds at any get together you're hosting. They're simple, tangy and sweet!
Jacqueline is a blogger and writer, passionate about sharing the latest in helpful tips and trends in food and cooking. In her spare time, you’ll find her trying new restaurants and experimenting in the kitchen.
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