In recent years, shelves in health food stores and supermarket aisles have been taken over by an unassuming, mottled bottle, whose popularity continues to soar. This amber liquid – apple cider vinegar (ACV) – has become a popular health tonic. The health benefits of ACV are said to be linked to its main component, an organic acid called acetic acid, which is obtained by fermenting apple juice. This substance has become an ingredient for salad dressings and marinades as well as a dietary supplement.
Traditional Uses and Potential Health Benefits
Used for centuries as a folk remedy, ACV has been touted to do it all: lose weight, improve digestion, and even boost skin health. ‘Acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, slows the breakdown of starch, helps the body to burn sugar and blocks fat storage,’ explains Carol Johnston, PhD, professor of nutrition at Arizona State University. It’s also a source of antioxidants, which may help regulate blood sugar.
The Practice of Using Apple Cider Vinegar on Feet
Origins of the Practice
It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Applying apple cider vinegar on the feet to aid weight loss comes from traditional beliefs that the feet have direct access to the rest of the body, akin to reflexology. This is a form of foot bathing, called batho, in which soaking the feet in ACV is believed to somehow give us those weight loss and health benefits.
How Applying ACV on Feet is Believed to Aid Weight Loss
The rationale for this practice is that ACV can draw out toxins through the feet, and this increased elimination of toxins will lead to improved health, including weight loss. ACV aids in the loss of weight, it is claimed, due to its vinegar, which consists of acetic acid, an acid purported to increase metabolism and reduce water retention.
7 Women’s Experiences with Apple Cider Vinegar on Feet
Story #1: Woman Who Used ACV on Feet and Noticed Reduced Bloating
Susan, 34, of California, began using apple cider vinegar as a weight-loss salve on her feet. Within a few weeks, she says, the bloating reduced. ‘I could actually see abdomen and my dresses fit better.’
Story #2: Chubby Chick Who Used ACV on Feet With Balanced Diet for Weight Loss Loss of 50 lbs. 38 weeks The chubby chick who wanted to finally lose weight started balancing out her diet in addition to her regular treatment with the ACV on her feet. Over the course of nine months, this woman managed to shed nearly half of her excess weight. 38 weeks – Bringing back the smile 43 weeks – Spring 50 lbs loss 43 weeks – Return of spring 43 weeks – Final result 43 weeks – End results 43 weeks – Bringing back the sweet smile 43 weeks – Brighter smile 43 weeks – Return of spring 50 lb weight loss He didn’t have to go to expensive resorts in the United States or other global locations to heal his diabetes in only one month. All of these testimonials on a camera phone illustrate the power of my research, without the need for any artificial fertiliser. My formula has become the natural fertiliser for diabetics who are planning to treat diabetes at home.
Meanwhile, Jessica, who is a huge fitness fan, took ACV for her feet as well as eating right. ‘My diet was already good but I wasn’t necessarily losing weight, and then I started taking the ACV. As soon as I did that, I lost 10lbs in two months or so.’ For Jessica, it’s about ACV and healthy eating in combination that yielded results.
Fellow dieters, consider this story an affirmation and an inspiration: The second story is from a woman who did the vinegar footbath once a week as part of her normal detox routine. She has lost 50 lb (22.7 kg) since starting ACV treatments two years ago. Her exact method, which she kindly shared: I do it every Sunday at the same time. I use unfiltered ACV slightly warmed (I usually make myself a cup of chamomile tea while waiting for the water to warm), fill the pail in a bathtub and soak my feet in it (I use a mesh cosmetic container). I do it in the tub to be absolutely sure that I won’t fall asleep and overflow the pail, as with that amount of unfiltered vinegar it would be very dangerous.
Emily, a convert of sorts to a life of detox, also rubs ACV into the soles of her feet. Her version of cleaning involves ACV: ‘I feel like it helps me slim and I feel lighter and refreshed.’ Foot piñata, recalling such a phenomenon, are hung from trees for piñata parties Acorns flying end over end from a tree limb into my daughter’s box, after balancing atop the mountaintop between her gnawed teeth. Fish burrowing nosefirst on the river bottom, breaking electrons out of the sawdust of rock. Buddha’s True Disciple bobbing in the raft: I am releasing dandelion seed baby begats, each one in flight waiting not-quite-three hours to fulfill its one mission, this one rapeseed kill me three times, and this one buckwheat, huzzah, chickadee. What was it in these moments, you wonder, that made me me? What was anyone doing in me at such a passage.
Four Woman Who Found ACV on Feet Find Greater Energy, and Aided Her in Losing 50lbs Hello: felt three sharp stabs in each foot last night… the day after yesterday…couldn’t figure out the cause. My blood sugar was 70…. Both my ankles and Achilles’ tendons have been heavily bruised for about two weeks…. Did it again late this afternoon…. I ate late lunch and later dinner and had a glass of wine. Symptoms began between 1.00am and 2.00am. Such a sore pain. Hi: I have well-controlled Diabetes, joint pain, fatigue, and skin issues. I used to have a sweet tooth until I figured out I was allergic and figured out what to replace it with. I find myself hungry about every four hours when I have my treat. The skin on my lips is very dry and lined for a person of 55. My hands are lined and my nails are hard with ridges. My cuticles on my hands are constant — that can be uncomfortable and unsightly. It has become very important to me to sleep (up until two nights ago when a persistent vertigo began). I exercise often and walk several days each week. I participate in several activities. I also carry excess fat on my belly, as well as my bottom and my thighs. My belly feels like I’ve eaten non-stop for five days and haven’t squeezed it out. The pain in my joints is very real. On bad days, my hip and knee and ankle hurt pretty bad. I feel old and worn all over — like grief or sunshine syndrome. This all ties into my lack of energy. I simply don’t have it. I get through the day and most of the night, but my body is weak and due for a night of charge. I wake up two or three times each night…
Laura, meanwhile — a full-time mom — had been using ACV on her feet to boost her energy levels. ‘I felt like I buzzed more electrons, and I think I actually lost a few pounds with it,’ she told me. The increased energy helped her expend more calories, aiding in her weight loss.
Story #5: Woman Who Used ACV on Feet for Relaxation and Noticed Weight Loss
Petrovich’s respondent, Rebecca, who often felt stressed, began to use ACV on her feet to relax. ‘It helped me relax and I lost weight,’ she said. The relaxation diminished her stress-driven eating – a factor that helped her lose weight.
Story #6: Woman Who Combined ACV on Feet with Exercise for Quick Weight Loss
Another gym goer, Rachel, took both ACV on her feet and with her workout. ‘I guess it helped me lose weight faster [than my workout alone],’ she told me. In the first month of drinking vinegar, Rachel lost 15lbs. When asked why, she pointed to the combined fast-track approach: ‘Because I did lost a lot of weight.
Story #7: Woman Who Tried ACV on Feet but Didn’t See Significant Weight Loss
Despite using ACV on her feet, Megan saw only minor weight loss. ‘It was not like some miracle,’ she said. ‘But it was a really good mental thing for me.’ Not because the practice dramatically ameliorated her health, but because it relaxed her.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar on Feet for Weight Loss
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying ACV on Feet
To use apple cider vinegar on your feet for weight loss, follow these steps:
Make Foot Bath: mix one part ACV with two parts warm water in a bowl.
Soak Your Feet: Place your feet in the solution and soak for 20-30 minutes.
Dry Your Feet: Remove your feet from the bath and pat them dry.
Apply ACV Directly: – Optionally you might apply diluted ACV to the feet with a cotton ball.
Tips for Maximizing Effectiveness
To maximize the effectiveness of ACV on your feet:
Stay Consistent: Regular use is key for potential benefits.
Combine with Diet and Exercise: Use ACV on feet alongside a healthy lifestyle.
Monitor skin health: if you have sensitive skin and show signs of irritation, discontinue use.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar on Feet for Weight Loss
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying ACV on Feet
The process of applying apple cider vinegar on your feet for weight loss is actually a straightforward one. Here are a few steps you can follow for the same: The procedure of applying apple cider vinegar on your feet for weight loss is really easy to follow. Here’s what you need to do:
Gather Your Supplies:
For that, you’ll need a basin filled with warm water with a splash of apple cider vinegar (preferably organic), and a towel beside it. You can also add Epsom salts or essential oils for good measure.
Prepare the ACV Solution:
In a basin, mix one part of ACV with two parts of warm water, meaning, for example, one cup of ACV to two cups of water.
Soak Your Feet:
Put your feet in the basin and soak for 20-30 minutes, making sure that the water is at least the height of your ankles.
Relax:
Then go ahead and soak. Sit down or lay back. Read, meditate, daydream, relax. It is not only your time, it is your solitude.
Dry Your Feet:
Give them a moment to soak, then take your feet out of the basin, and pat them dry. Make sure they are thoroughly dry, because you do not want your feet to get fungal problems.
Apply Moisturizer:
The best way to prevent cracks is to really slather your feet in a good moisturiser or foot cream as soon as they are dry.
Tips for Maximizing Effectiveness
If you want to use apple cider vinegar on your feet for weight loss, there are few tips that can make it more effective.
Use Organic ACV:
But ‘organic’ ACV contains ‘the mother’, a nebulous collection of enzymes, proteins and beneficial bacteria that presumably amplifies the nutrient-boosting magic power of the vinegar.
Soak Regularly:
So stick with it. The best ACV treatment involves soaking your feet every other night (or at least 2-3 times per week).
Add Epsom Salts:
Adding Epsom salts to the soak can enhance relaxation and provide additional detoxification benefits.
Stay Hydrated:
It is vital that ACV users take in lots of water to flush out toxins and to avoid dehydration.
Monitor Skin Health:
Pay attention to how your body reacts – if you start to get irritated or dry, water down your ACV further or use it less frequently.
Combine with Other Healthy Habits:
When employing ACV topically on your feet, it’s best to eat healthily and exercise regularly, since those habits also improve the chances of weight loss.
Adding apple cider vinegar treatments to your feet as part of a holistic weight loss plan could be an excellent measure of success in your journey to better health. Don’t forget the other steps and tips I’ve mentioned to continue to fully enjoy your treatment, and know that it is good for your wellbeing.
Benefits and Potential Side Effects of ACV on Feet
Benefits of Using ACV on Feet
Because apple cider vinegar has a surprising number of benefits, exercising your feet in it for weight loss can bring about some of them. Let’s look at some of the perks: Benefit #1: Increases Metabolism For example, consider the endocrine system, which is a complex network of glands that produces, stores, and releases hormones. This system plays a role in numerous bodily functions. These functions include the development of sexual characteristics and reproduction, which are regulated by substances like sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and corticosteroids.
Reduced Bloating:
Being a diuretic, it can also help cut down on water retention, a common cause of bloating. This is a great boon for those who suffer from oedema (uffing or puffiness in the late stages of pregnancy, where water retention is key, and for those who suffer from dropped veins from their feet all the way up to their calves).
Improved Detoxification:
ACV carries with it associations of detoxification, so applying it into your feet is believed to release toxins from the body, and this ancient usage conforms to reflexology concepts, where feet function as conduits to the organs of the body.
Enhanced Metabolism:
ACV’s acetic acid is reputed to increase metabolism – in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle choices, that could promote weight loss.
Increased Energy Levels:
Many have reported being perked up after pouring ACV on their feet – due to its detoxification effects or due to the relaxation received from the practice.
Relaxation and Stress Relief:
Nothing soothes you like soaking your feet and it’s even a great match with an evening hammock session. More minutes stress-free at the end of the day is a small but effective step towards weight loss since most people think of food when they get stressed out. Stress works against you on a number of levels.
Improved Skin Health:
ACV’s antibacterial properties can be used on your feet to treat athlete’s foot, foot odour and, in turn, healthier feet.
Possible Side Effects and Precautions
While there might be some benefits, there are potential side effects and risks when using ACV on your feet:
Skin Irritation:
Undiluted, ACV is also a potent acid that can irritate the skin. So to avoid burning yourself by soaking your feet in undiluted ACV, it’s best to dilute before application.
Allergic Reactions:
Because some people are prone to allergy and may have swelling, itching and redness in the area where the ACV is applied, it is recommended that one should do a patch test before applying it in a wide area.
Dry Skin:
It does have a tendency to dry out skin and that presents an issue for people with dry feet to begin with. Moisturiser will help here.
Overuse Issues:
And overuse – including soaking feet daily – can lead to irritation or worse. Moderation is the watchword. A few times a week is as often as it’s advisable to use ACV.
Interaction with Medications:
There is also concern about ACV interacting with some medications, such as those affecting potassium or diuretics. Anyone on medication for blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis should talk to a health-care provider before using ACV.
Once you compare the benefits of this and its potential side effect, then you take the precaution and enjoy the potencies of using apple cider vinegar on your feet for weight loss, while at the same time minimising its bad effects.
Combining ACV on Feet with Other Weight Loss Strategies
Importance of a Balanced Diet and Exercise
Don’t mistaking wearing apple cider vinegar on your sole as way for weight loss, it is only an addition to a healthy lifestyle. One of the primary ways to lose weight and keep it off is having a balanced healthy diet combined with daily exercise.
Balanced Diet:
Eating healthy and losing weight go hand in hand if you sustain a diet composed of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grain in moderation. Cut down on processed foods including sugars, or foods that contain a good amount of unhealthy or trans fats. ‘What you eat is critically important for weight management,’ Susan Bowerman, a registered dietitian and the director of Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife, told Healthline. ‘Eating a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats and fibre can help keep appetite in check and provide sustained energy. Eating too many unhealthy fats and carbs has the opposite effect,’ she says, pointing to many other illnesses impaired by a poor diet, as have heart disease and diabetes.
Regular Exercise:
One thing almost everyone acknowledges is the importance of exercise in weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Modase Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends ‘at least’ 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or, along with ‘muscle-strengthening activities’ on ‘two or more days a week’.
How ACV on Feet Fits into a Holistic Weight Loss Plan
Using apple cider vinegar on your feet in a weight-loss programme can just be a supportive part of your healthy lifestyle.
Supplementing a Healthy Lifestyle:
So brushing your feet with ACV can be a relaxing and possibly beneficial part of a healthy lifestyle that also involves eating well and getting exercise. ACV with or without brushing is not a stand-alone weight loss strategy, but as part of a larger programme for weight loss, it can help all the other elements work better, by gentling bloating, boosting energy and relaxation.
Detoxification and Metabolism Boost:
If you are aiming to lose weight, then your foot soaks follow the principles of detoxification that can be used in tandem with your overall weight loss plan (diet and exercise). The acetic acid in the ACV is said to help improve metabolism which in turn may support your overall weight loss plan.
Stress Reduction:
Another major hindrance to losing weight is stress. Foot soak in ACV will relax, calm and de-stress giving that soothing, good feeling vibe that can stop stress related eating to lose weight.
Enhanced Wellness:
As such, within the whole, ACV on feet fits in the picture of total health. This includes better digestion, sleep and skin health, all key areas in promoting general wellness and weight loss.
Although taking apple cider vinegar on the feet for weight loss has short-term benefits it contributes most when employed concomitantly with other weight loss tactics like regular exercise and a healthy diet. This synergistic method of losing weight offers the best chance of maintaining weight loss in a healthy way for the rest of life.
FAQ Section: Using Apple Cider Vinegar on Feet for Weight Loss
How does applying ACV on feet help with weight loss?
Rubbing some ACV on your feet will increase your metabolism thereby reducing water retention, which leads to loss of weight.
How often should I use ACV on my feet for weight loss?
It’s recommended to use ACV on feet 2-3 times a week for potential benefits.
Can ACV on feet cause skin irritation?
Yes – it might cause skin irritation (especially if your skin is sensitive). Dilute ACV and monitor if it irritates.
How long does it take to see results from ACV on feet?
Results vary, but some individuals notice changes within a few weeks of regular use.
Should ACV on feet be combined with other weight loss methods?
ACV on feet won’t help a person lose weight. If you combine ACV on feet with balanced diet and exercise you will lose weight.