Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is an extremely beneficial substance. Consuming apple cider vinegar in any form will help strengthen both your body and mind.
While most people have heard about this magical commodity, there is much debate surrounding the question of whether the pill form is better than the liquid one.
In this article, we will compare both types of apple cider vinegar so you can choose the one that works best with your own tastes and preferences.
Table of Contents
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Unlike regular vinegar, apple cider vinegar is specifically made with fermented apple juice, hence its name. To get to this stage, it undergoes a series of crushing and distilling before it is finally fermented and packaged to be sold.
All across the globe, apple cider vinegar is used to aid in weight loss (4 Secrets to Weight Loss), control cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels, and help fight against diabetes.
One important thing to remember is to not consume apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach. Try to always consume it before or after a meal.
Apple Cider Vinegar Liquid
This is by far the most mainstream way to consume the product. All you have to do is simply pour a bit of apple cider vinegar into a teaspoon and mix it with some water. Generally, about fifteen to thirty milliliters of vinegar is added to one glass of water.
You’ll find that there are numerous different brands of apple cider vinegar on the market. We suggest you get one that claims to be natural or has no additives.
Apple Cider Vinegar Pills
While not as popular as the liquid, apple cider vinegar pills have become increasingly commonplace in the last few years. If you find it difficult to swallow pills, you can mix the contents of the tablet into tea or smoothies, making them easier to ingest.
Without FDA regulations, there are also no strict guidelines as to what apple cider vinegar pills can or cannot be combined with.
Apple Cider Vinegar Pills vs Liquid: What Is Better?
To make a well-informed decision on what type of apple cider vinegar to consume, let’s look at a few factors.
Which Form Tastes Better?
The liquid variant of apple cider vinegar is notorious for having a pungent scent and a strong, acidic taste that comes from the vinegar. Because of this, people who are sensitive to intense flavors are unable to comfortably drink liquid apple cider vinegar, even after diluting it with water.
On the other hand, Pills do not taste the liquid form at all because of their coating. Whether you purchase the capsule or the tablet, I have found that neither contains the distinctly unpleasant taste that the liquid does.
If you find yourself easily gagging at the liquid form’s taste, the pill form may work better for you. Many brands have also come out with flavored coatings for the apple cider vinegar pills, making them even easier to consume?
Which Form Has Greater Side Effects?
The liquid form of apple cider vinegar exposes your teeth to a lot of acidities. Because of this, liquid apple cider vinegar can cause severe eroding of teeth enamel.
Not only does it harm the teeth, but the acid can also cause a painful burning sensation in your mouth and throat. Since apple cider vinegar is acidic, it could also burn if too much fell on your skin. So, be careful while handling the liquid form of ACV.
Since pills do not come into as much contact with your teeth, decaying is less likely to occur. This guarantees healthier teeth in the long run. There is also no fear of getting skin burns with apple cider vinegar pills.
Which Form Is More Accessible?
I have found that the liquid version is more accessible than the pill form. Most American households already have liquid apple cider vinegar in their kitchens since it’s a common ingredient in recipes. If not, you can find it in most grocery stores.
On the other hand, pills are usually limited to certain vendors or can only be found online. This makes them less convenient to purchase for some.
Which Form Is More Affordable?
While the overall price of both the liquid and pill may be similar, the cost per serving shows some disparities. A bottle of ACV typically costs $7.5 on average, whereas one packet of pills will range upwards of $10.
One pill contains approximately 500mg of apple cider vinegar. This is equal to roughly 10ml of liquid apple cider vinegar. This means roughly 100 pills will give you the same amount of apple cider vinegar present in a 1-liter bottle.
You will find yourself repurchasing the latter numerous times. In this way, you may be spending a great deal on apple cider vinegar tablets than you would have had you been buying the liquid form.
Which Form Is Healthier?
Since apple cider vinegar pills are considered to be dietary supplements under the FDA, they don’t have to adhere to any conditions. This can be a red flag for some people. I currently believe that we do not have accurate data on what is inside the pills since this information does not have to be disclosed.
Since there are no set guidelines to follow, the pH balance and the exact ratio of ingredients do not have to be regulated or equal each time.
This changes the composition of the pill from batch to batch. If you buy multiple packets of pills, there is no promise that they will all be 100% the same.
Liquid apple cider vinegar is considered a foodstuff by the FDA. Hence, all types of liquid apple cider vinegar must abide by FDA regulations, and the ingredient list has to be fully disclosed. So, you will always know what is inside the liquid form.
Which Form Is Purer?
Some ACV capsule manufacturers also add other substances to the pills to ease digestion or give other added benefits.
Unfortunately, this could increase the chances of an allergic reaction to apple cider vinegar pills. Your body may not agree with the other ingredients, and it could be painful or harmful after you start taking the pills.
Pure apple cider vinegar in the liquid form usually states all ingredients right on the bottle, so you can see how many added substances there are. Some brands also deal exclusively in additive-free apple cider vinegar.
Which Form Has Quicker Absorption?
The liquid form of apple cider vinegar absorbs into your body quicker than the tablet does, making it easier and faster to reap its benefits. If you drink diluted apple cider vinegar in the mornings, it will help rehydrate you quicker than pills would.
Having said all that, both forms do exactly the same thing once inside the body. If the tablets are pure, there should be no difference between the effects you experience amongst either sort.
Are Both Forms Multi-Purpose?
Instead of buying an entire bottle of apple cider vinegar to drink, you can use it in the kitchen too.
Putting a little bit of it into salad dressings or into other recipes can make the taste better and slightly sourer, which some people enjoy. The tablets cannot be used in the same way.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar a Superfood?
The label of “superfood” is pretty hefty. That being said, with the number of benefits ACV provides, you could definitely make a strong argument that it IS a superfood. At this point, the research is very promising but preliminary. In a few years, we’ll be able to make a firm conclusion on the standing of “superfood.”
Which Form Is More Convenient To Travel With?
If you think you will need to be on the move with your apple cider vinegar, the pills are going to prove more useful. The liquid form is bulkier and heavier, so it will fit awkwardly even if you find a big bag.
The tablets can fit anywhere and weigh next to nothing. They can be easily slipped into your pocket, purse, or backpack.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV for diabetes – type 2 diabetes is caused by either the inability to produce insulin or insulin resistance. ACV helps regulate blood sugar levels which help with insulin responses. Because of this vinegar can be helpful for pre-diabetics, people with diabetes, or for anybody looking to regulate their blood sugar levels.
ACV and weight loss – so while the jury is still out a bit on the significant effect of weight loss, studies do show that consuming liquid ACV can increase satiety, which can help you ultimately consume fewer calories. Fewer calories consumed lead to weight loss (PhenQ vs Phen24) and fewer pounds on the scale. If you’re a person that craves a dessert or sugary snack after meals, try consuming some lemon ginger tea, with a bit of ACV. It’s no secret that drinking ACV plain is not the best, so try to add it to salads, tea, or whatever helps you consume it easily and without hesitation.
ACV and acne – there is some evidence that ACV may help with acne due to its naturally high acidic content. ACV may help reduce the appearance of acne scars by getting rid of the damaged, upper layer of skin, and assisting with healthier skin regeneration.
ACV and cancer – so this on I’m least convinced on, but some very preliminary research shows that it can decrease certain kinds of cancer. Some studies show that it can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. Keep in mind the amount of research, particularly human research is very small, so this benefit should be taken with a grain of salt. As always consult your doctor before making any significant lifestyle changes.
ACV for lice – the naturally occurring acidity in vinegar can be successful in killing lice for both humans and dogs. The acidity can loosen the grip the lice eggs have on the hair, making it easier to remove. While this home remedy for lice can help, it’s best to use a medical treatment if readily available.
ACV for dandruff – the natural bacteria-killing enzymes can be an effective remedy for dandruff. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can rid your head of dandruff. Since dandruff is usually accompanied by an itchy scalp, by using ACV it can also reduce the itchy dry scalp sensation.
ACV and gut health – unfortunately, our diets have become more unhealthy these days due to the accessibility of fast food and pre-packaged foods. This can commonly lead to GI issues and heartburn. ACV before a meal helps relieve these symptoms by increasing the acidity levels in your stomach. It’s packed with prebiotics that can help balance your gut microbiome and keep the bad gut bacteria away.
ACV and skin – as I mentioned above the acidity level of ACV helps with itchy dry skin. Taking an apple cider vinegar bath and soaking can help reduce the dry damaged skin cells and promote fresh skin cell rejuvenation. If you have eczema or other skin issues, that has proven to be a good home remedy. Additionally, ACV can help with sunburns and stings. Best relieved by soaking a cotton ball in the liquid and applying it to the affected area.
ACV and candida – the antimicrobial properties are successful at fighting some fungi as well. Yeast overgrowth can be quelled by soaking the area with a diluted mixture.
A Quick Summary
Now that we’ve talked about both forms of apple cider vinegar in quite a lot of detail choosing which form to consume may be a bit easier for you. For a quick recap, here are the pros and cons of each type.
Pros of Liquid Apple Cider Vinegar
- Readily available everywhere
- Affordable
- Pure composition
- Quick absorption into the body
- Easy to cook with
Cons of Liquid Apple Cider Vinegar
- Can potentially damage teeth
- Acidic taste
Pros of Apple Cider Vinegar Pills
- Do not damage teeth
- Do not burn the throat
- Easier to carry around
- No bitter taste
Cons of Apple Cider Vinegar Pills
- Difficult to find
- Costlier than liquid form
- Difficult to use while cooking
- No standardization of ingredients
Summing Up Apple Cider Vinegar
Picking out the ideal type of apple cider vinegar for yourself is a subjective process. You need to see what factors matter the most to you. Different people will have varying opinions because everyone’s preferences are not identical.
Both options get the job done well, but they have their individual benefits and drawbacks. To make a decision, you must go through and decide which form suits your lifestyle more. Trust me; no choice is better than the other.
As long as you’re careful about how much apple cider vinegar you take, I think that both options are worth trying out at least a few times! After all, that’s the best way to see which form suits you more.
There are tons of recipes, mixes, and ways of consuming this natural food with limitless benefits. To learn more about how to properly use it for every situation, exact recipes, tips, and tricks for the utmost best results, I recommend this ebook. It can be instantly downloaded for your access.