Here's what we found. Is apple cider vinegar packed with potassium? No. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar has 11 mg of potassium, a fraction of the 4,700 mg recommended daily intake for woman.
In most cases, ACV is relatively harmless, but there are some risks to be aware of. Consuming more than 1-2 tablespoons in a day can cause irritation of the esophagus, erode tooth enamel and most dangerously, decrease potassium levels.
Apple Cider vinegar should not cause any damage to the kidneys.
Too much vinegar can also cause your potassium levels to drop too low, which can have a negative effect on proper muscle function. Use caution if you are taking medication that can also lower potassium levels, such as some diuretics that help lower blood pressure.
“Extra caution needs to be taken if you're taking diuretics, insulin, blood pressure medication and laxatives,” says Dr. Mandal. “This is especially concerning for people with type 1 and 2 diabetes, since gastroparesis can lead to difficulty controlling blood sugar,” she says. Is there a safe way to consume ACV?
02/7When on diabetes drugs and Insulin
Indeed, apple cider vinegar is known to prevent diabetes, but when you are already on diabetes drugs or on insulin, avoid having apple cider vinegar. These medications decrease your blood sugar level and when combined with ACV, your blood sugar might get too low.
What Are the Risks of Apple Cider Vinegar? Since it's high in acid, apple cider vinegar could irritate your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat and stomach) if you drink it straight or drink too much of it. Undiluted ACV can also break down tooth enamel.
It is the job of your kidneys to keep the right amount of potassium in your body. If there is too much, healthy kidneys will filter out the extra potassium, and remove it from your body through urine.
Apple cider is naturally a kidney friendly drink due to its low potassium content. Cut back on sugar and keep portion size reasonable if you're watching carb intake.
Taking a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning on an empty stomach is one practice that many wellness gurus claim helps you lose weight, reduce hunger, and remove toxins from your system.
ACV is generally safe when consumed in moderation — no more than 1 to 2 tablespoons (tbsp) daily. But drinking excessive amounts of ACV can decrease potassium to hazardous levels. ACV may interact with some medications (including diuretics, laxatives, and certain medications for diabetes and heart disease).
Rapid correction is possible with oral potassium; the fastest results are likely best achieved by combining oral (e.g., 20 to 40 mmol) and intravenous administration. When intravenous potassium is used, standard administration is 20 to 40 mmol of potassium in 1 L of normal saline.
The most common cause of genuinely high potassium (hyperkalemia) is related to your kidneys, such as: Acute kidney failure. Chronic kidney disease.
Potassium and exercise
When you exercise, your muscles lose potassium. This creates a substantial rise in blood potassium levels. For most people, the kidneys filter out the extra potassium fairly quickly, and potassium levels return to normal within a few minutes of rest.
ACV may even help reduce pain and inflammation from kidney stones. It helps rid the body of toxins and excess minerals that can lead to kidney stones. According to some, ACV has a cleansing effect on the kidney and liver.
Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals or right before bedtime may benefit your blood sugar levels the most. For example, one study in people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar at bedtime for 2 days reduced fasting blood sugar levels by up to 6% ( 7 ).
Raw apple cider vinegar also contains: Natural probiotics (friendly bacteria), which may help with your immune system and gut health. Antioxidants, substances that can prevent damage to your body's cells.
If you have high blood pressure, you should not opt to treat it with ACV, but should follow your health care provider's treatment plan. Apple cider vinegar may be part of your healthy diet and lifestyle, but does not replace targeted medical care or blood pressure drugs.
It is important to note that apple cider vinegar is not a cure for high blood pressure. It may help, but it should be used along with other lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, weight loss, as well as blood pressure medication if prescribed by your doctor.
ACV can interact with certain drugs, such as diuretics and diabetes medications. A person who takes medication should talk to their healthcare provider before they use medicinal ACV or add extra ACV to their diet. In some cases, ACV supplementation may not be suitable for a person.