Never Do These 6 Things While Taking Apple Cider Vinegar

• It’s best to dilute ACV with water before drinking.
• Drinking it without a straw can harm your teeth.
• ACV is best consumed before meals.

Apple cider vinegar has become one of the healthy superstars and for good reason – this simple household staple has loads of reported benefits, from weight loss to improving heart health.

But there are rules to follow if you want to include apple cider vinegar in your daily diet. Make sure to avoid doing these things if you’re consuming ACV:

#1. Drink it straight

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and can thus irritate your stomach and esophagus. Some people take ACV undiluted in one quick shot (to get over the aftertaste) and then follow it up right after with water to wash it down. It’s best to mix the vinegar with the water instead. Use one part vinegar to ten parts water for your ACV drink.

#2. Drinking right after meals

ACV is best taken on an empty stomach. This maximizes its health benefits better and also boosts your ability to process the food you eat. Wait around 20 minutes after you drink ACV before you put food in your mouth. This gives the vinegar enough time to be digested.

#3. Inhaling it

Some people actually breathe this in for whatever reason. Stop doing this if you don’t want to harm your lungs, for breathing it can cause a burning sensation.

#4. Drinking without a straw

Because of its extreme acidity, apple cider vinegar can cause damage to your teeth if you drink it undiluted. Use a straw to drink your ACV and water mixture and be careful not to let the liquid having too much contact with your teeth. Also, wait at least 30 minutes before you brush your teeth after taking ACV.

#5. Drinking too much right away

Slowly but surely is the right way to go when drinking ACV. If it’s your first time to drink it, consume in little amounts first. You need to let your body get used to it before you increase your intake. Limit it to two tablespoons a day to avoid the side effects.

#6. Drinking before bedtime

Taking ACV right before you sleep can cause the liquid to climb back up your esophagus. For safety, you should remain upright for 30 minutes after drinking it to keep it from creeping back to your esophagus.