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Home Fasting Does Apple Cider Vinegar Break a Fast? Explaining the Benefits

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Break a Fast? Explaining the Benefits

Does apple cider vinegar break a fast
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Intermittent fasting is an increasingly popular weight loss method. To burn fat, you have to avoid foods and drinks containing calories for a certain amount of hours each day. 

Beginners of this regime may not know what beverages are good to drink while fasting, one of them being apple cider vinegar. This fermented liquid has many health benefits, but does it break your fast? 

Discover whether apple cider vinegar breaks a fast, including the benefits of consuming it when losing weight.

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Break a Fast?

No, apple cider vinegar shouldn’t break your fast in very small quantities. This is because it contains one calorie per teaspoon. However, it’s important to monitor your ACV intake to avoid consuming too many calories while practicing intermittent fasting. 

Any food or beverage with calories can break a fast, depending on how much you have. Some people stay below 50 calories during fasting, while others prefer to have none at all. ACV contains virtually no calories, making it suitable for those who are practicing intermittent fasting to lose weight. 

You can drink apple cider vinegar with water because it helps fuel the body. Research suggests that ACV consumption can improve your blood glucose and pressure. Lower glucose levels mean you don’t store as much sugar in your liver and muscles, which prevents weight gain. 

It’s worth drinking apple cider vinegar at the start of your fast. An empty stomach can absorb nutrients efficiently while reducing your blood sugar levels. You may also drink it during the day if you experience hunger pangs

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is a type of fermented beverage made from crushed apples, sugar, and yeast. Some people add this nutrient-dense liquid to salad dressings, plain water, and marinades. 

You can make apple cider vinegar by following the fermentation process. The yeast extract breaks down the sugar in ordinary apple juice, which turns the mixture into alcohol after a few weeks. Natural bacteria turn the alcohol substance into acetic acid, leaving the vinegar with a tangy taste and smell. 

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar
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Many people drink ACV because it contains essential minerals, some of them being calcium, manganese, iron, copper, and phosphorus. A study found that apple cider vinegar can decrease cholesterol and fatty lipids in your body. 

Is It Safe to Drink ACV When Fasting?

Yes, it is safe to drink apple cider vinegar when fasting. This beverage contains many important nutrients to fuel your body during weight loss. You should only consume apple cider vinegar with water because of the acidity content. 

Eating or drinking on an empty stomach while fasting may cause side effects if you aren’t careful. Therefore, if you want to add apple cider vinegar to your fasting regime, it’s important to mix a very small amount with water. 

Consuming undiluted apple cider vinegar can erode tooth enamel, burn your throat, and irritate your gut. If you don’t like the taste, add it to smoothies or sauces when eating meals outside of the fasting cycle. 

You can always opt for alternative beverages during a fast. Some choices include green tea, black coffee, and plain tea without sugar or milk. These don’t contain any calories, making them perfect for your fasting window. 

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar While Fasting

There are many benefits to drinking apple cider vinegar water. This beverage is packed with essential nutrients that help to fuel your body and stimulate the metabolism to burn stored body fat. You should learn about the advantages of ACV to determine whether it’s suitable for your goals. 

Below are some benefits of drinking ACV while fasting: 

#1 Improves blood sugar levels

A study found that incorporating apple cider vinegar into your diet can improve your blood sugar and insulin sensitivity by 19–34%. Those with lower blood sugar have a decreased risk of developing heart or kidney disease. 

Blood sugar is also important for heart, brain, and digestive function, so you need to have a balanced amount in your body. A stronger digestive system can break down foods more efficiently and absorb the right nutrients for weight loss. 

#2 Helps to fight cravings

Apple cider vinegar is a natural appetite suppressant, as it reduces your sugar cravings and hunger attacks during fasting. 

Research suggests that ACV promotes fullness. The more satisfied you feel, the fewer snacks you will eat when trying to lose weight. Staying in a calorie deficit, even outside of a fast, is important for burning fat. 

Another study found that taking apple cider vinegar slows the rate of digestion, which keeps food in your stomach for longer. In turn, you won’t get hungry as often or feel the urge to binge eat. 

#3 Gives an energy boost

You should consume apple cider vinegar daily for an energy boost. This beverage contains potassium and enzymes, which encourage your body to produce more energy. Feeling awake during the day may motivate you to exercise or eat healthily to lose belly fat

Acetic acid, a prominent substance in ACV, can also enhance energy metabolism. You may experience less fatigue when reducing your food intake, so it’s worth consuming at least one teaspoon of ACV a day. 

How Much ACV Can You Have While Fasting?

You should have one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in the morning with some plain water. This amount won’t break your fast or pull you out of the fat-burning state. To be safe, monitor how much you consume during the day to avoid slow weight loss progress. 

How Much ACV Can You Have While Fasting
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People who are less strict while practicing intermittent fasting can have two tablespoons of ACV to gain health benefits. The amount you consume depends on your personal goals and fasting routine

Just remember to note down everything you have during a fast. For example, if you have one teaspoon of ACV with water, document the calories. The same goes for foods you eat outside of the fasting window. 

FAQs

How many calories are in apple cider vinegar?

One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar has 3 calories, while one teaspoon only has 1. You should monitor how many calories you have if you’re trying to lose weight on an intermittent fasting regime.

When to drink ACV while doing intermittent fasting?

You should drink apple cider vinegar in the morning and just before you break your fast. This beverage can suppress your appetite, so it’s best to consume it when you’re feeling hungry during the day.

Does apple cider vinegar stop autophagy?

No, drinking one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar shouldn’t affect autophagy. Just remember that this beverage does contain calories, so try to limit how much you have if you want to lose stubborn weight while intermittent fasting.

A Word From an MD

Apple cider vinegar is a nutrient-dense beverage that offers many benefits. You can drink some with water to fuel weight loss and strengthen your metabolism. Some people also take apple cider vinegar gummies or capsules if they don’t enjoy the bitter taste, but these usually contain more calories. 

Before adding ACV to your diet, it’s important to stay aware of the side effects. Drinking too much or not diluting it enough with water can lead to weak tooth enamel. Since ACV is acidic, it may enhance tooth sensitivity when not used correctly. 

You should always limit your intake and mix it with water or another beverage. It’s worth speaking to a registered dietitian if you’re unsure about adding apple cider vinegar to a fasting diet. 

To lose weight fast, avoid consuming more than 5 calories in your fasting window, drink more water, and exercise regularly. Creating these healthy habits ensures your body burns enough fat rather than glucose. 

Conclusion

Consuming ACV won’t ruin your intermittent fasting routine. You should have one teaspoon of this beverage with some plain water to gain the weight loss benefits. If you’re determined to burn fat during a fast, aim to drink other beverages like green tea, black coffee, and plain black tea.

Written by
Edibel Quintero, MD

Edibel Quintero is a medical doctor who graduated in 2013 from the University of Zulia and has been working in her profession since then. She specializes in obesity and nutrition, physical rehabilitation, sports massage and post-operative rehabilitation. Edibel's goal is to help people live healthier lives by educating them about food, exercise, mental wellness and other lifestyle choices that can improve their quality of life.

Does apple cider vinegar break a fast

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