You've Probably Been Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar All Wrong

Apple cider vinegar is one of the many trendy "it" foods that has ignited a firestorm of health and wellness claims. Apple cider vinegar is made by mixing crushed apples and yeast, resulting in fermentation. Bacteria is added to the process which creates the acetic mixture we call apple cider vinegar (via Healthline). Apple cider vinegar has been lauded for its ability to alleviate hiccups, as a remedy for a sore throat, to help prevent indigestion, and even to serve as an aid for weight loss (via The Healthy).

Many people down a shot of ACV every day in hopes of realizing its potential benefits. But before you hop on the bandwagon, you may want to slow down and learn the proper way to drink apple cider vinegar — and if you're already a fan of this seemingly magic elixir, you may be drinking it wrong. Worse yet, you could actually be harming your body. 

Heathline cautions that the best way to consume ACV is using it in your daily recipes — like in salad dressings. However, if that's not what you have in mind, you need to follow this rule: Do not drink apple cider vinegar straight like you would your favorite alcohol from a shot glass you collected during your college years. You want to make certain you are diluting the vinegar with water or over time you could really mess up your smile. 

Consider that drinking apple cider vinegar straight could actually contribute to the erosion of your tooth enamel, and no one wants that for their pearly whites (via Wide Open Eats). While its acidity isn't equivalent to lemon juice, apple cider vinegar's acid levels can still do some real damage, especially if your routine includes brushing your teeth directly after you drink it. Drinking apple cider vinegar straight can also cause problems for esophagus. 

But this is not to discourage you from drinking this unicorn vinegar. Instead, it is simply suggested that you opt to mix a tablespoon of your beloved apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of water. By taking this precaution, you save yourself a lecture from your dentist and still get to test out the health benefits.