5 apple cider vinegar myths & facts you need to know

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Apple cider vinegar has been hailed time and again to have curative benefits for a variety of illnesses and is a mainstay for home remedies. But how true are these claims?

According to Alex Schmitt, a dietitian at the Massachusetts General Hospital, there is little study on the claimed health benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV). He added that the number of people who support and believe that ACV is good for them is relatively small.

"We have to look at the science," said Schmitt, via Everyday Health. "One or two small studies are not enough to prove a benefit."

Here are five apple cider vinegar myths and facts you should know:

1.) Apple cider vinegar for weight loss

One of the most popular claims about ACV is that it can help speed up weight loss by burning fat faster. However, according to Schmitt, there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims about ACV affecting metabolism.

2.) ACV for cardiovascular health

According to Health Today, it has been claimed that ACV can help boost cardiovascular health. There have been studies that vinegar can help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and blood triglycerides. However, these studies were done in mice models and have yet to be proven in human clinical studies.

3.) ACV for diabetes

According to a report by Live Strong, there was a study on vinegar at Arizona State University. To test the theory, researchers gave volunteers 2 tbsp of vinegar during bedtime to find out if their glucose levels upon waking up were lower. They found that the vinegar reduced the blood sugar levels by 4 to 6 percent. However, the studies were small and the reductions weren't significant enough to minimize the negative outcomes of diabetes.

4.) ACV as anti-bacterial

According to Greatist, there have been many claims that ACV is an effective antimicrobial solution. However, because of its acidic properties, it becomes too strong and unsafe to be put on skin, much less on open wounds and infections. It is not safe to use on a sore throat as well.

5.) ACV for acne, warts and dandruff

In the same Greatist article, it was established that ACV is not fit for open wounds and cuts. But many ACV proponents have stated that swathing ACV on their skin helped their skin texture, got rid of their acne or wart and cleared their dandruff. However, LA-based holistic nutrition and wellness coach Nicole Granato says otherwise. There aren't any studies to supply scientific evidence that ACV can clear acne or dandruff. Acetic acid in ACV is only 5 percent so it is not acidic enough to destroy wart tissues.