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February 24, 2023
mbg Assistant Beauty Editor
mbg Assistant Beauty Editor
Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.
Image by Nadine Greeff / Stocksy
February 24, 2023
Gut health is one of the buzziest topics in the well-being space, and for a very good reason. When your gut is functioning at its best, you’ll beat bloat, sleep better, and your skin might even clear up, amongst other benefits.
Some people even swear by various gut health tonics to optimize healing, such as apple cider vinegar. But will a simple ACV shot really do the trick? On a recent episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, functional medicine doctor Amy Shah, M.D., shares the answer—let’s get into it.
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What’s the deal with ACV for gut health?
How to consume it correctly.
The best way to consume ACV? In whatever form you enjoy so that you stick with the ritual. You can add it to salad dressings, soups, and smoothies, or drink it á la carte. However, tossing back a few teaspoons might not be the best for your oral health. Remember: It’s pretty acidic!
“If you’re taking it by the mouthful, you’ve got to be careful with your teeth and your esophagus,” Shah says. Simply pop a reusable straw in your cup of ACV or dilute it with water for a tasty tonic instead.
Here are a few more ideas if neither of those sound appealing:
- Add it to bone broth.
- In your tea.
- Mix it with warm water & honey.
- In a cucumber or carrot salad.
- As a regular vinegar replacement.
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And if ACV just isn’t your thing, that’s OK—it’s an acquired taste. Not everyone loves fermented foods, but those who stay away should opt for a daily probiotic supplement to fill the gap. And even if you are a fermented foods fan, your gut still might need the extra help. Here’s our curated list of the very best options on the market right now, if you’re on the hunt.
The takeaway.
Tending to your gut health is important, and adding ACV to your diet is just one way to do so. Pop a few spoons of this tangy ingredient in some cold water, hot tea, or salad dressing, or feel free to experiment with them all to find your favorite method.
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