Fact checkedExpert's opinion

Expert's opinion

The article is a subjective view on this topic written by writers specializing in medical writing.
It may reflect on a personal journey surrounding struggles with an illness or medical condition, involve product comparisons, diet considerations, or other health-related opinions.

Although the view is entirely that of the writer, it is based on academic experiences and scientific research they have conducted; it is fact-checked by a team of degreed medical experts, and validated by sources attached to the article.

The numbers in parenthesis (1,2,3) will take you to clickable links to related scientific papers.

5 Apple Cider Vinegar And Honey Benefits, Risks & More 2024  

Mitchelle Morgan

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN

apple cider vinegar and honey
Mixing apple cider vinegar and honey create a tonic that you can drink for many benefits. Photo: atlascompany/Freepik

Apple cider vinegar and honey are two ingredients that have been around for centuries as a home remedy. Many civilizations have used the two for medicinal and culinary purposes[1]. Combining the two ingredients to develop a healthy drink is quite possible.

Adding apple cider vinegar to honey creates a tonic that you can drink for many benefits. However, it’s always recommended to dilute it with water. Some of the potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar and honey include weight loss, improving heart health, and tackling colds.

Learn all about apple cider vinegar and honey, its benefits, and how to make the mixture at home. It also tackles some potential risks worth noting when taking the mixture. 

Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar And Honey

  1. Aids In Weight Loss
  2. Improve Heart Health
  3. May Help Alleviate Colds And Allergies
  4. May Help With Diabetes
  5. Rich Source Of Nutrients

Apple Cider Vinegar And Honey Benefits

Aids In Weight Loss

Aids In Weight Loss
Honey and apple cider vinegar can reduce fat accumulation and suppress appetite. Photo: user15323388/Freepik

Can you drink apple cider vinegar (ACV) and honey mix for weight loss due to the presence of acetic acid in the ACV?

Research[2] proves that acetic acid can help you lose weight. Acetic acid is the active ingredient in apple cider vinegar.

In one study published in the National Library of Medicine,[3] people who drink apple cider vinegar benefit from a decreased waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), body weight, visceral fat area, and triglyceride levels. The study was done to investigate the effect of vinegar in terms of fat reduction among obese people in Japan.

Participants were divided at random into three groups sharing a similarity in body weight. Also, they were similar in waist circumference and BMI. The experiment went on for 12 weeks, during which the groups drank 30 ml, 15 ml, and 0 ml of vinegar.

The two groups that drank the vinegar exhibited a drop in overall body weight, waist circumference, visceral fat, and triglyceride levels. Therefore, taking vinegar each day can help with obesity and fat reduction.

It’s also proven that apple cider vinegar[4] works as a natural appetite suppressant. Taking the mix as part of your daily routine helps increase satiety and lower frequent eating. Increasing satiety is crucial when you aim to lose weight since you won’t want to eat all the time if you feel full and satisfied.

Researchers recruited a group of unrestrained eaters with normal body weights. They were directed to drink apple cider vinegar mixed with palatable and unpalatable drinks and a mixed breakfast. The conclusion was taking the drinks left the group feeling fuller since nutrient absorption is slower, resulting in weight loss.

In addition, unlike other drinks, this mixture has lower caloric content. You can drink the mix each day without worrying about adding more calories to your healthy diet. Low caloric intake is a great way to lose excess weight and maintain a normal BMI.

Improve Heart Health

Apple cider vinegar contains chlorogenic acid that helps to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. Having a high percentage of LDL in the body puts you at risk of getting heart disease. So, the reduction of LDL[5] by ACV is a positive effect worth noting.

In addition, a study done on rats showed that honey treatment[6] can be beneficial when dealing with high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the chance of developing cardiovascular issues, so it’s important to find treatment options.

Apple cider vinegar is also a rich source of antioxidants[7] essential to reducing inflammation. In turn, it lowers the chances of plaque buildup in your arteries. Your arteries must remain in tip-top shape to prevent heart health issues.

May Help Alleviate Colds And Allergies

When you drink apple cider vinegar with honey, you can more effectively deal with colds, coughs, and seasonal allergies. The two are natural antimicrobials meaning they have antibacterial properties and can help you find the relief you need from respiratory infections.

Take honey, for instance. The antibacterial properties can help you feel better when dealing with seasonal allergies. A study[8] was done to show the role of honey in treating allergic rhinitis. Participants showed some symptom relief after ingesting high doses of honey.

Mixing apple cider vinegar and honey can help relieve[9] cold and cough symptoms in children. Honey in the mixture helps suppress mucus secretion and coughs.

May Help With Diabetes

May Help With Diabetes
The tonic can lower blood sugar levels when taken after eating food. Photo: azerbaijan_stockers/Freepik

There’s little scientific evidence that drinking apple cider vinegar and honey can help with blood sugar levels. But, according to a few studies, there have been promising results worth noting. In a study[10] on diabetic rats in 2008, ACV did help lower HbA1C and LDL levels. A low HbA1C (below 5.6%) is a lab measurement essential to determining blood glucose control over the long term in diabetic management.

Human studies done in 2004[11] involved 29 participants who took 20 ml of apple cider vinegar mixed with 40 ml of water. The mixture also included one teaspoon of saccharine. At the end of the study, there was evidence that the mixture can lower blood sugar levels when taken after eating food. 

Rich Source Of Nutrients

While drinking apple cider vinegar and honey can help you lose weight, the mixture is also a rich source of necessary nutrients. When you take this drink each day, you get minerals such as:

  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorous
  • Choline

In addition, honey and apple cider vinegar contain numerous vitamins. These include:

Potential Risks Of Apple Cider Vinegar And Honey

While drinking honey and apple cider vinegar has many health benefits, some risk factors are worth noting.

The Mixture Is Harsh On Your Teeth And Stomach

Apple cider vinegar tastes sour because of its high acidic content. If you take it often, you increase the risk of eroding[12] your dental enamel. The more the erosion of dental enamel, the higher the risk factor for tooth decay. 

That’s why it’s important to use warm water to dilute apple cider vinegar and increase the pH level before you take it. Also, you can use a straw when drinking the healthy tonic to reduce liquid contact with your teeth. Afterward, use plain water to rinse your mouth after finishing the healthy drink.

Apart from eroding the dental enamel, apple cider vinegar worsens gastric reflux. However, there’s a need for more research since some users claim ACV improves their symptoms.

High Sugar Content

Raw honey contains glucose and fructose in high amounts, which makes it sweet. While the sweetness is something you need in the healthy tonic, it’s important not to overdo it. Taking in too much sugar has a negative effect[13] on your health. You’re at risk of gaining weight, developing heart health issues, and worsening dental health.

Therefore, when combining apple cider vinegar and honey, it’s better to take it in moderate amounts. Work with the recommended amount to reduce the amount of sugar in the drink.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon, And Honey

It’s easy to mix apple cider vinegar and honey for recipes to lose weight and improve health as well as well-being.

Take 15 ml of apple cider vinegar and place it in a bottle. Add 21 ml of raw honey, 20 ml of lemon juice, and 240 ml of warm water. Shake the mixture, and you will have a healthy tonic that you can drink all day.

The taste is lovely, but you can make a few changes by adding fresh mint, cayenne pepper, ginger, or cinnamon powder. Each ingredient affects the flavor of the tonic, so add one at a time to get a healthy mixture.

How Do I Take Apple Cider Vinegar With Honey?

It’s better to take this mixture with warm water in the morning. At this time, your stomach is empty, and you can reap more benefits from the drink. Plus, it helps curb hunger pangs, so you can eat moderately throughout the day.

Apart from enjoying a warm drink each morning, combining honey and apple cider vinegar together creates a mixture that can add flavor to your food. For instance, the mixture is perfect for dressing fresh salads or as brine when you want to pickle some vegetables. 

Final Thought

People have been adding raw honey to apple cider vinegar for a long time as a home remedy. The result is a healthy tonic that you can enjoy with warm water and reap numerous benefits. Always use filtered water.

Today, the main use of this mixture is in weight loss. There’s scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar and honey have fewer calories, reduce fat accumulation, and help suppress appetite.

Apart from that, you can also benefit from numerous vitamins and minerals and better heart health. Still, some negative effects of this mixture are worth noting. Frequent drinking of ACV can lead to erosion of teeth enamel and increased gastric reflux. It’s better taken in moderate amounts.

You can add honey and apple cider vinegar to some warm water, which is among the most popular mixture recipes. Some people even use hot water. You can also add cinnamon powder, cayenne pepper, fresh mint, or ginger for more flavor. Consult your doctor before using the ACV honey mixture to avoid any adverse reactions.


+ 13 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. Budak, N.H., Elif Aykin, Seydim, A.C., Greene, A.K. and Guzel-Seydim, Z.B. (2014). Functional Properties of Vinegar. Journal of Food Science, [online] 79(5). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.12434.
  2. Boon Kee Beh, Nurul Elyani Mohamad, Swee Keong Yeap, Ky, H., Sook Yee Boo, Yi, J., Sheau Wei Tan, Wan Yong Ho, Shaiful Adzni Sharifuddin, Long, K. and Noorjahan Banu Alitheen (2017). Anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of synthetic acetic acid vinegar and Nipa vinegar on high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Scientific Reports, [online] 7(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06235-7.
  3. Kondo, T., Kishi, M., Takashi Fushimi, Shinobu Ugajin and Takayuki Kaga (2009). Vinegar Intake Reduces Body Weight, Body Fat Mass, and Serum Triglyceride Levels in Obese Japanese Subjects. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, [online] 73(8), pp.1837–1843. doi:https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.90231.
  4. J Darzi, Frost, G.S., R Montaser, Yap, J. and Robertson, M.D. (2013). Influence of the tolerability of vinegar as an oral source of short-chain fatty acids on appetite control and food intake. International Journal of Obesity, [online] 38(5), pp.675–681. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.157.
  5. Hadi, A., Makan Pourmasoumi, Ameneh Najafgholizadeh, Clark and Esmaillzadeh, A. (2021). The effect of apple cider vinegar on lipid profiles and glycemic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, [online] 21(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03351-w.
  6. Erejuwa, O.O., Sulaiman, S.A., Mohd, Kuttulebbai N. S. Sirajudeen, Salzihan Md Salleh and Sunil Gurtu (2011). Differential Responses to Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar-Kyoto Rats and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Effects of Antioxidant (Honey) Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, [online] 12(3), pp.1888–1907. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms12031888.
  7. Ben Hmad Halima, Sonia, G., Sarra, K., Ben Jemaa Houda, Ben Slama Fethi and Abdallah, A. (2018). Apple Cider Vinegar Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Reduces the Risk of Obesity in High-Fat-Fed Male Wistar Rats. Journal of Medicinal Food, [online] 21(1), pp.70–80. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2017.0039.
  8. Zamzil Amin Asha’ari, Mohd Zaki Ahmad, Wan Shah Jihan, Che Maraina Che and Leman, I. (2013). Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trial in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Annals of Saudi Medicine, [online] 33(5), pp.469–475. doi:https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2013.469.
  9. Goldman, R.D. (2014). Honey for treatment of cough in children. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, [online] 60(12), pp.1107–8, 1110. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264806/.
  10. F Shishehbor, Mansoori, A., Sarkaki, A.R., Jalali, M.T. and Latifi, S.M. (2008). Apple Cider Vinegar Attenuates Lipid Profile in Normal and Diabetic Rats. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, [online] 11(23), pp.2634–2638. doi:https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.2634.2638.
  11. Johnston, C.S., Kim, C.M. and Buller, A.J. (2004). Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity to a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Subjects With Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care, [online] 27(1), pp.281–282. doi:https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.27.1.281.
  12. Willershausen, I., Weyer, V., Schulte, D., Lampe, F., Buhre, S. and Brita Willershausen (2014). In Vitro Study on Dental Erosion Caused by Different Vinegar Varieties Using an Electron Microprobe. Clinical Laboratory, [online] 60(05/2014). doi:https://doi.org/10.7754/clin.lab.2013.130528.
  13. J. Lennert Veerman, Sacks, G., Antonopoulos, N. and Martin, J. (2016). The Impact of a Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Health and Health Care Costs: A Modelling Study. PLOS ONE, [online] 11(4), pp.e0151460–e0151460. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0151460.
Mitchelle Morgan

Medically reviewed by:

Kathy Shattler

Mitchelle Morgan is a health and wellness writer with over 10 years of experience. She holds a Master's in Communication. Her mission is to provide readers with information that helps them live a better lifestyle. All her work is backed by scientific evidence to ensure readers get valuable and actionable content.

Medically reviewed by:

Kathy Shattler

Journal of Physical Education and Sport

Trusted Source

Go to source

SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

Trusted Source

Go to source

African Journals Online

Non-profit Platform for African Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

Informit

RMIT University Library

Trusted Source
Go to source

European Food Safety Authority

Science, Safe food, Sustainability

Trusted Source
Go to source

OrthoInfo

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Trusted Source
Go to source

American Academy of Family Physicians

Strengthen family physicians and the communities they care for

Trusted Source
Go to source

Agricultural Research Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Trusted Source
Go to source

The American Journal of Medicine

Official Journal of The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Lippincott Journals

Subsidiaries of Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute on Aging

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Translational Research

The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cell

An All-science Publisher

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of Translational Medicine

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

Federal Trade Commission

Protecting America's Consumers

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Human Genome Research Institute

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Food Production, Processing and Nutrition

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

BMC Gastroenterology

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

ACS Publications

A Division of The American Chemical Society

Trusted Source
Go to source

Annual Reviews

Independent, Non-profit Academic Publishing Company

Trusted Source
Go to source

PubChem

National Center for Biotechnology Information

National Library of Medicine
Go to source

PLOS Journals

Nonprofit Publisher of Open-access Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Thieme E-books & E-Journals

Peer-reviewed & Open Access Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Peer-reviewed International Journal Publishes

Trusted Source
Go to source

Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing Home

Chemical Science Journals, Books and Database

Trusted Source
Go to source

Frontiers

Publisher of Peer-reviewed Articles in Open Acess Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

De Gruyter

German Scholarly Publishing House

Trusted Source
Go to source

Hindawi

Open Access Research Journals & Papers

Trusted Source
Go to source

Oilseeds and Fats, Crops and Lipids

EDP Sciences

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cambridge Core

Cambridge University Press

Trusted Source
Go to source

FoodData Central

U.S. Department Of Agriculture

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of the American Heart Association

Peer-reviewed Open Access Scientific Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The Americans with Disabilities Act

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Organization of Food and Nutrition Professionals

tr
Go to source

Sage Journals

Database From Sage Publications

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute of Drug Abuse

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The ClinMed International Library

A Repository and an Open Access Publisher for Medical Research

Trusted Source
Go to source

The Royal Society Publishing

United Kingdom's National Academy of Sciences

Trusted Source
Go to source

APA PsycNet

Database From American Psychological Association

Trusted Source
Go to source

The Pharma Innovation Journal

Peer-reviewed And Refereed Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development

Peer-reviewed Bimonthly Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

British Pharmacological Society

Journals - Wiley Online Library

Trusted Source
Go to source

American Psychological Association

Scientific and Professional Organization of Psychologists

Trusted Source
Go to source

AAP Publications

Database From American Academy of Pediatrics

Trusted Source
Go to source

Karger Publishers

Academic Publisher of Scientific and Medical Journals and Books

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Database From Cambridge University

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute of Mental Health

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

MDPI

Publisher of Open Access Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Bulletin of the National Research Centre

Part of Springer Nature

Trusted Source
Go to source

The New England Journal of Medicine

Massachusetts Medical Society

Trusted Source
Go to source

Economic Research Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Trusted Source
Go to source

MedlinePlus

Database From National Library of Medicine

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

National Institute of Health

An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Trusted Source
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The BMJ

Weekly Peer-reviewed Medical Trade Journal

The British Medical Association
Go to source

The British Psychological Society

The British Psychological Society is a charity registered in England

Database From Wiley Online Library
Go to source

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

PubMed

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source

DailyMed

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source

Google Scholar

Go to source

Science.gov: USA.gov for Science

Government Science Portal

Go to source

ResearchGate

Social Network Service For Scientists

Find and share research
Go to source

American Heart Association

To be a rentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives

Go to source

BioMed Central

Research in progress

Go to source

JAMA Network

Home of JAMA and the Specialty Journals of the American Medical Association

Go to source

Springer Link

Database From Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Springer - International Publisher Science, Technology, Medicine
Go to source

ODS

Database from Office of Dietary Supplements

National Institutes of Health
Go to source

Federal Trade Commission

Bureaus of Consumer Protection, Competition and Economics
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database From U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Governmental Authority
Go to source

Oxford Academic Journals

Oxford University Press

Trusted Source
Go to source

Taylor & Francis Online

Peer-reviewed Journals

Academic Publishing Division of Informa PLC
Go to source

WHO

Database from World Health Organization

Go to source

Journal of Neurology

Peer-reviewed Medical Journal

American Academy of Neurology Journal
Go to source

ScienceDirect

Bibliographic Database of Scientific and Medical Publications

Dutch publisher Elsevier
Go to source

Wiley Online Library

American Multinational Publishing Company

Trusted Source
Go to source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. National Public Health Agency

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database from U.S. National Library of Medicine

U.S. Federal Government
Go to source

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Federal Agency

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

PubMed Central

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source
Feedback

Help us rate this article

Thank you for your feedback

Keep in touch to see our improvement