Education
October 13, 22

Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey: Better Together?

EDUCATION

6 minutes.

Essential Takeaways

Apple cider vinegar and honey have been used for medical and wellness purposes for thousands of years. And interestingly, for very similar things.

Although there is evidence for their health benefits individually, not much research has been done on using them together.

That said, with one sour and one sweet, people make drinks, marinades, and other foods with them for an extra potent nutrient kick.

“A variety of natural vinegar products are found in civilizations around the world.

A review of research on these fermented products indicates numerous reports of health benefits derived by consumption of vinegar components.”

Functional properties of vinegar.

Honey and vinegar have something in common.

Both have been used by cultures across the world for health and wellness for many years.

And interestingly, their reported benefits are similar, too.

Since one is sour and one is sweet, the two have been mixed together to balance the flavours and get double the wellness punch.

But is there any science in the story? What do you get when you use apple cider vinegar and manuka honey together?

Let’s see.

In this guide to the health benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and honey:

Why do people mix honey and apple cider vinegar?
What are ACV and manuka honey good for?
What type of honey is best with ACV?
What happens when you drink apple cider vinegar and honey?
Is honey and ACV good for weight loss?
A recipe for apple cider vinegar and manuka honey

Why Do People Mix Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar?

Vinegar can be made by fermenting a variety of different carbs.

As its name suggests, apple cider vinegar starts with an apple base. Its acetic acid gives it a sour taste which can sometimes be difficult to swallow.

Enter: honey.

By combining apple cider vinegar with honey, people hope to get twice the nutrient punch in a much more palatable way.

But what exactly are those nutrients, and does combining honey and apple cider vinegar work?

What Are Manuka Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Good For?

Vinegar and honey have a similar wellness origin story.

The first records of vinegar¹ date back to Babylonia around 5,000BC.

It was reportedly used to treat wounds, relieve poison ivy rashes, manage diabetes, and soothe stomach problems.

Records of honey used in medicine are thousands of years old, too.

And the uses were very similar².

“Many consider apple cider vinegar and honey to be a tasty combination as the sweetness of honey helps mellow vinegar’s puckery taste.

Consuming this tonic is thought to provide many health benefits. However, given that both ingredients have been studied separately, the effects of this mixture specifically are largely unknown.”

Healthline.

So the evidence doesn’t exist to confirm whether combining manuka honey and apple cider vinegar enhances the potential benefits of each.

But they’ve been used separately for thousands of years across the world and studied for their positive impacts on our bodies.

With this in mind, it makes sense to power up your vitality routine and get the best of both manuka honey and apple cider vinegar together.

The Health Benefits of Manuka Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar

Manuka honey and apple cider vinegar³ share a lot of the same health benefits, including:

Comforting skin irritations
Relieving skin scarring and acne
Controlling blood sugar levels
Soothing sore throats and allergies
Helping to heal burns

Other perceived benefits of apple cider vinegar include:

Helps neutralize body odor
May ease heartburn and indigestion
May relieve itches and stings
Helps keep your hair and scalp fresh between washes

NB: There are some side effects of apple cider vinegar⁴. Chemical burns and irritation can come after too much use or prolonged contact. So be sure to do your research before committing to sustained use.

Other potential benefits of manuka honey:

Can reduce acid reflux
May boost immunity
Can enhance collagen production in skin
May reduce redness in skin
Helps keep skin moisturized
Protects your oral health
Helps to regulate menopause symptoms
May boost sexual performance and fertility

Manuka honey has been studied for its many incredible health and wellness uses, so let’s look at what they are in more detail.

What Type of Honey Goes Best with Apple Cider Vinegar?

The best type of honey to combine with apple cider vinegar for maximum health benefits is raw monofloral manuka honey.

Here’s why:

Raw honey is typically the least processed, which means that any health benefits are going to be the most potent.
Manuka honey is set apart for its unique levels of antibacterial and antioxidant properties which have been studied at great lengths throughout the world.
And monofloral manuka honey means that only nectar from manuka plants was used to produce the honey, so any of those unique properties are more highly concentrated.

Manuka honey is graded by the UMFHA (the industry body) to identify honeys with more potent antibacterial properties. The higher the UMF™, the more highly concentrated the good stuff is.

The grade that’s best for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

What Happens When You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey?

Drinking apple cider vinegar with raw manuka honey in the morning can be a great way to start the day.

It’s believed to help flush out toxins⁵, regulate blood sugar, and aid in digestion.

Just leave a gap before eating, and be wary of discomfort.

Apple cider vinegar can cause indigestion or nausea for some people when consumed on an empty stomach, so make sure to listen to your body.

What does drinking apple cider vinegar and honey before bed do?

An apple cider vinegar honey drink at bedtime may help to reduce acid reflux and indigestion before lying down⁶.

This can be helpful for people who experience heartburn after a large meal.

However, whilst it can be helpful to drink at night, evidence suggests that the time of day you drink it doesn’t have much of an impact on the level of health benefits enjoyed.

Is Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Weight Loss?

The main active ingredient in apple cider vinegar is acetic acid.

Some studies have found acetic acid to promote weight loss. And others suggest that apple cider vinegar keeps you feeling fuller for longer by slowing the nutrient absorption of food into the bloodstream.

Interestingly, the same has been said for manuka honey.

Manuka honey is great for fuelling exercise by boosting glucose levels and keeping them steady. It’s been shown to keep our brains sharp and focused, and it contains the amino acids our bodies need to repair themselves.

So eating manuka honey and apple cider vinegar may be a great weight loss tool to help fuel workouts, curb cravings and keep you fuller for longer, and help to repair muscles after exercise.