Apple Cider Vinegar

• The theory behind using apple cider vinegar to lose weight is that when it is consumed with small amounts of food, it makes you feel fuller, which in turn helps you consume less food. One study from 2005 found that people who consumed a small amount of white vinegar with a piece of bread felt more satiated than those who ate the just bread without the vinegar. The vinegar itself is not known to have any qualities that increase metabolism or help accelerate the weight loss process.
  
  Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic and difficult to consume by itself. It is usually taken in small amounts and diluted with water or juice. It is also available in the form of tablets and enemas, and can even be applied directly to the skin. There are no official guidelines about the proper dosage, but a common daily intake is two teaspoons a day. Supplement tablets, which are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are typically available in dosages of 285 milligrams.
  
  Because vinegar is so harsh, its side effects that can sometimes be severe, especially if taken with heart disease medications, laxatives and diuretics. A possible long-term effect of apple cider vinegar consumption is the reduction of bone density and potassium levels. Diabetics are particularly at risk because apple cider vinegar contains chromium, which could affect levels of insulin.
  
  

Apples as a Digestive Aid

• Apples contain dietary fiber, which helps the body's digestive process. Apples also do not contain fat or cholesterol. These factors could lay claim to apples helping the cause of weight loss, but many other fruits and vegetables can make the same claim.
  
  

Disease Prevention

• Phenolic compounds, which are highly acidic compounds found in apples and other vegetative foliage, have been found to exhibit antioxidant activity and may help protect the body against cancer. A study published in the "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease" in 2006 found that apple juice concentrate given to mice increased their levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter the could help prevent the decline of cognitive ability due to the process of aging. Also, because they are crunchy, apples help in the process of scrubbing the teeth clean, although it is still a good idea to brush your teeth afterward because of the sugars and acids that they leave behind.