If you’re in the gym and feeling exhausted, it may not simply boil down to a strenuous workout. Muscle pain and fatigue can happen even before the burn takes over. In fact, fatigue and muscle stress can happen because of underlying conditions. That’s where apple cider vinegar can help. Just one tablespoon of organic, unpasteurized and unfiltered ACV before your workout can boost your energy level and help minimize pain — here’s why.
Your pH will balance
Maintaining the correct acidity/alkalinity (or pH) of the blood is essential for good health. Due to the alkalizing nature of apples, they can help reduce acid in the body. In fact, fermented apples — the key to apple cider vinegar — create a balancing state of acid and alkalinity. This pH balance helps increase stamina and reduce pain when working out by eliminating excess acid from muscle tissues. pH also plays a huge role in oxygenating your body during times of stress.
Your body will detox as you exercise
As well as balancing the body’s pH, apple cider vinegar helps with overall detoxification of the body. In fact, many people have been using ACV to detox for thousands of years. The idea is that raw, unfiltered (murky and cloudy) ACV contains good bacteria for the gut, and vitamins, minerals and enzymes for the body. So, by taking ACV with water prior to your workout you can potentially remove “sludge toxins” from the body, which naturally improves your stamina.
Apple cider vinegar detox
Here’s a basic recipe you can take prior to your workout:
- One to two tablespoons of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- Eight ounces of purified, distilled or spring water
- One to two tablespoons of organic honey, maple syrup or stevia to taste
Relieves stiff joints
Regular use of apple cider vinegar is thought to decrease joint pain — even pain associated with arthritis and gout — by reducing inflammation. Malic acid in the vinegar is able to dissolve the uric acid crystals within the joint and assist in flushing them from the body. For an added boost, add your ACV to tart cherry juice. Tart cherry juice may be sour to taste, but it provides a higher number of anthocyanins compared to sweet cherry juice. Anthocyanins promote anti-inflammatory processes in the body, according to Healthline. This healthy combo also helps post-workout recovery. Cherry juice is naturally high in potassium, which triggers electrical impulses throughout the body.
Your acid reflux will go away
ACV may help prevent morning acid reflux from rearing its ugly head. Exercise can trigger heartburn if your esophageal sphincter is weak or too relaxed. Or, if food or stomach acid “burps” back up into your esophagus. All that moving and shaking with too many spicy foods, acidic foods, sodas, coffee, chocolate and alcohol in your gut may be the catalyst. But ACV could help improve acid reflux if you’re not taking medications, and with minimal risk. A study from Arizona State University found that raw or unfiltered apple cider vinegar may help prevent heartburn. It’s generally safe to consume a small amount of apple cider vinegar before your workout, but it should be diluted with water suggests HealthLine. You can also add a little raw honey to the mix to help improve the taste.
Weight loss may be accelerated
When it comes to losing weight, ACV has always been a go-to remedy prior to working out. In fact, some studies support apple cider vinegar’s power for weight loss. One study from Japan found that obese rats who consumed apple cider vinegar daily shed more body weight and fat mass than the rats in the control group who did not consume ACV. In addition, the waist circumference and triglyceride levels for rats who took ACV seemed to lower significantly as well.
How to take ACV before your workout
Before you start guzzling lots of ACV, make sure it’s diluted with filtered water. Apple cider vinegar in its pure form is acidic and can erode tooth enamel or even burn your mouth and throat. So, be sure to rinse your mouth with water after drinking ACV. You may even want to drink it through a straw to avoid hitting your teeth. Yes, you can have too much of a good thing. Just one glass a day may be enough to negatively affect your teeth — and one glass is too much!
Precautions
Some people who take apple cider vinegar in the morning prior to working out may experience some nausea or stomach discomfort after drinking it. This discomfort is usually worse when your stomach is empty.
— Katherine Marko