3. Lowers Blood Pressure
A 2001 study shows that acetic acid does, in fact, help to significantly lower blood pressure as well as renin activity, a plasma enzyme that plays a major role in the body’s regulation of blood pressure, thirst, and urine output (9).
4. Protects Your Heart
Researchers, who continue to look for natural alternatives for heart health, have recently turned towards vinegar.
One such study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that a higher intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in ACV, is protective against fatal coronary artery disease also known as Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD).
The study suggests that eating more foods like oil-based salad dressings that provide a good source of polyunsaturated fats, including ALA, can be effective for reducing the risk of fatal IHD (10).
5. Prevents Cancer
To date, there is plenty of research detailing the potent anti-tumor properties of vinegar. One such study shows that vinegar can repress the growth of human leukemia cells (11). Another study shows that vinegar can stop the growth of colon, lung, breast, bladder and prostate cancer cells (12).
A more recent study published in the December 2014 issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology further suggests acetic acid may be an effective treatment for various types of cancer as it can form acetate ions in your stomach, which may account for direct anti-tumor effects.
Researchers state, “Acetic acid is a powerful anticancer agent. Topical application of acetic acid may be a feasible approach for the treatments of gastric cancer and possibly other malignancies.” (13).
While the various acids in ACV have anti-cancer abilities, researchers also know that ACV contains a variety of polyphenols, which are potent anti-oxidants that have further anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties.