What Occurs to Your Physique When You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar With Honey?

Apple cider vinegar and honey are touted for his or her particular person well being advantages—however collectively, they could kind one thing much more highly effective. Often known as oxymel, this tonic dates again to antiquity, when it was typically used as a cure-all. 

Right here’s how ingesting a combination of apple cider vinegar and honey may have an effect on your physique.

Pinning down concrete analysis insights on oxymel’s well being advantages is difficult—research have examined many variations of the tonic, making outcomes tough to check.

Nonetheless, proof suggests oxymel not solely affords the advantages of each particular person substances however might also create synergistic results, Frank Duffy, RD, a registered dietitian at Temple College Hospital, advised Well being.

One recurring discovering is that ingesting oxymel could have a notable anti-inflammatory impact, offering delicate joint aid and supporting immune and coronary heart well being, Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES. CDN, a cardiology dietitian and proprietor of Completely Nourished, advised Well being.

Analysis additionally means that oxymel could assist enhance markers related to coronary heart illness and diabetes, corresponding to decrease fasting insulin ranges, ldl cholesterol, and BMI.

Past its metabolic and anti inflammatory results, oxymel seems to have properties that assist kill micro organism and promote therapeutic. “Honey inhibits micro organism as a consequence of its low water exercise, pure acidity, and hydrogen peroxide content material, whereas apple cider vinegar’s acetic acid disrupts bacterial cell membranes,” Routhenstein defined.

When utilized to the pores and skin, oxymel could even perform as a wound protectant, Duffy added. A 2025 report discovered that the vinegar-honey mixture was 1,000 occasions simpler at killing micro organism than vinegar alone—and as much as 100,000 occasions simpler than honey alone.

Like oxymel, several types of honey have been studied for his or her well being advantages, making it laborious to attract broad conclusions in regards to the sweetener. However, by and huge, analysis means that honey affords a variety of well being advantages:

Decreasing ranges of LDL (“dangerous”) ldl cholesterol and triglycerides
Decreasing the severity and length of coughs 
Supporting wound therapeutic
Selling digestion

Honey can be wealthy in antioxidants, which assist cut back oxidative stress and help coronary heart, mind, and mobile well being, famous Routhenstein.

In the meantime, apple cider vinegar seems to enhance numerous danger components for coronary heart illness and diabetes, together with selling weight administration and a more healthy lipid profile.

Based on Duffy, vinegar might also sluggish the discharge of sugar into the bloodstream and cut back the speed of meals digestion and absorption, probably serving to to enhance blood sugar ranges.

Although the potential well being advantages might sound compelling, oxymel isn’t proper for everybody.

As a result of oxymel can elevate blood sugar ranges, folks with diabetes must be cautious when consuming the drink, warned Duffy. 

These at larger danger for abdomen most cancers must also keep away from it, as pickled meals—a few of that are made with vinegar—have been linked to the illness, he added. Additionally, skip the oxymel you probably have an ulcer or acid reflux disorder, since it might worsen signs.

Oxymel also can work together with sure diabetes drugs and potassium-lowering medicine if overused, so you’ll want to seek the advice of your doctor or dietitian earlier than consuming oxymel in the event you take both of those, suggested Routhenstein.

Based on Duffy, the best oxymel preparation is a 1:2 ratio of vinegar to honey. He instructed sticking to “round two tablespoons per day,” to keep away from potential negative effects, corresponding to gastrointestinal discomfort, heightened allergy symptoms, or yeast infections.

Routhenstein recommends diluting oxymel in water and consuming it with meals to guard tooth enamel, cut back abdomen irritation, and decrease blood sugar spikes. To additional safeguard your enamel from the acidity, sip it by means of a straw or rinse your mouth with water after ingesting it.

Lastly, take note of your physique, Routhenstein suggested. “Begin with small quantities to see how your abdomen and digestion tolerate it,” she mentioned.