Cheap, versatile and easy to find, vinegar is an ideal addition to a healthy diet. And it's having a bit of renaissance, thanks to a surge in popularity of apple cider vinegar among health and nutrition gurus.
There's good reason for that! It's ultra-low in calories and contains a compound, called acetic acid, that's linked to weight loss. A recent study found that drinking vinegar was enough to trigger significant weight loss and lower belly fat levels, even in people who drank just a half-ounce a day. And apple cider vinegar also even helps keep your stomach full for longer after a meal, which combats hunger pangs, a study found.
While apple cider vinegar gets the most attention, you'll get weight loss benefits from virtually any type of vinegar. That's because most of the benefits come from acetic acid, which is found in any type of vinegar. Red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice vinegar or even plain ol' white vinegar … it's all good for you.
Sounds great! What’s the catch?
You shouldn't drink vinegar on its own. Since it's so acidic, undiluted vinegar can actually cause chemical burns in your mouth and throat. And, like any acidic food or drink, also weakens your tooth enamel, which can cause decay. (No, thanks!)
The Solution: Drink vinegar as part of a (virgin) cocktail or smoothie. This not only helps dilute the acid, so that it won't harm your teeth or other tissues, but it makes the vinegar taste better, too.
Here are five recipes to try…
Cleansing Cranberry Elixir
A little sweet, a little tart, incredibly cleansing! Start your day strong with this naturally detoxifying drink that's high in antioxidants, vitamin E and vitamin C. Cranberries and vinegar offer powerful cleansing.
Ingredients:
- ½ ounce red wine vinegar
- 1 packet Stevia or 2 drops liquid Stevia concentrate
- 6 ounce unsweetened cranberry juice
- 2 ounces apple or pear juice
- 2 orange slices (optional)
Directions:
Combine the juice, vinegar and Stevia in a shaker bottle and shake until the Stevia is thoroughly dissolved. Serve immediately, garnished with orange slices.
Coconut Beach Bombshell
Feel vacation-ready without having to leave your kitchen! This sweet-and-nutritious cocktail features beachy pineapple and coconut for a drink high in vitamin C, manganese and electrolytes.
Ingredients:
- ½ ounce apple cider vinegar
- 4 ounces pineapple juice (unsweetened)
- 2 ounces coconut water (plain, mango or pineapple flavored)
- 2 ounces mango juice
- ¼ cup raspberries
Directions:
Muddle the raspberries in a cocktail shaker. Add the ice, vinegar, pineapple juice, coconut water and mango juice. Shake and strain into a glass, then garnish with a few additional raspberries.
Spiced Fat-Burning Cider
Celebrate cooler weather with a seasonal weight loss "cider" that packs in some serious flavor, thanks to the apple cider vinegar. The addition of cinnamon ups this drink's weight loss benefits — cinnamon helps stabilize your blood sugar, which can help reduce cravings!
Ingredients:
- ½ ounce apple cider vinegar
- 8 ounces apple juice
- 1 ounce cranberry juice (optional)
- 2 orange slices (optional)
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tablespoon cardamom pods
- 2 to 3 star anise pods
Directions:
Heat the juice, orange slices and cinnamon sticks in a small sauce pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it just reaches a boil. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then strain to remove the cinnamon, cardamom and anise. Add the apple cider vinegar and serve warm, or place in the fridge to chill.
Deep Down Detox Smoothie
Looking for some serious cleansing? This smoothie combines apple cider vinegar with other detox staples to create a filling meal replacement that will help you lose weight. Drink this for breakfast, or serve it with a salad for lunch.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces coconut water (plain)
- 1 small banana
- 2 cups baby spinach, washed
- ½ cup blueberries
- ½ ounce apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon spirulina (optional)
- Stevia, to taste
Directions:
Add the coconut water, vinegar and spinach to your blender and blend on low speed until just combined. Include the banana, berries, flaxseed and spirulina, and blend on high speed until the smoothie reaches the desired consistently. Sweeten with Stevia, to taste, adding just a drop or two at a time to avoid over-sweetening, then serve immediately.
ACV "Apple Pie" Smoothie
Comfort food, meet weight loss. This recipe combines fat-burning ACV with creamy coconut milk, naturally sweet apples and vibrant spice for a smoothie that tastes like (healthy) apple pie!
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
- 1 honeycrisp (or other sweet) apple, cored and sliced
- ½ ounce apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Stevia, to taste
Directions:
Blend all the ingredients together, starting at medium speed and increasing to high speed, until the smoothie reaches the desired consistently. Add the Stevia, to taste, then serve immediately.