Whether it’s the flu or a common cold, many of us are searching for ways to relieve symptoms. Various home remedies have been used for years. Apple cider vinegar, chicken soup, honey and onions are the most common – but do any of these things help?

Onions

A persistent report is that onions absorb bacteria and that a sliced onion placed on the countertop will prevent or cure illness. Unfortunately, this is one of those times when if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

“Onions do not absorb bacteria. The idea that a vegetable would attract and suck into itself bacteria from the air is not even logical,” says Dr. Ruth MacDonald, a registered dietitian from Iowa State University.

Some Best Food Facts readers, however, report they have used the onion method and it has cured illness. You can follow their comments.

Onions as well as garlic, another popular natural treatment, do have some benefits, Dr. MacDonald said.

“Onions and garlic are slightly acidic, which could have antibacterial effects if you rubbed the juice on things, but these are much less effective than bleach or chemical antibiotics. Eating these vegetables provides antioxidants that can have health benefits, but they are unlikely to prevent or cure disease,” she said.

While not as tasty as an orange or grapefruit, onions are a good source for vitamin C, which boosts the immune system.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Some people claim apple cider vinegar can help fight off colds and sinus infections and detox the body.

Registered dietitian, Connie Diekman says because apple cider vinegar is acidic, the idea that it can neutralize the body’s atmosphere and help prevent bacteria and viruses from thriving isn’t unfounded. But, she points out there is no scientific evidence behind this idea. There is no evidence that it is harmful or helpful.

Using apple cider vinegar as a detox isn’t necessary. Diekman explains that your kidneys and liver remove the toxins from your body and don’t need any additional help.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is one of the most prescribed home remedies. Dr. Wendy Dahl, from the University of Florida, clarifies that chicken soup does not cure a cold. But you may still want to heat up a cup of this winter-time favorite.

“There is a substance in chicken soup that can aid in alleviating the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Chicken soup was found to inhibit the movement of neutrophils, a form of white blood cell that initiates the inflammatory response, which reduces upper respiratory cold symptoms,” she says. “This inhibition results in fewer sore throats and lowers the production of phlegm. Also, nasal congestion is eased by the lack of inflammation of the cells in the nasal passageways.”

Honey

Trying to use local honey to try and build one’s immunity to allergies also might not be as effective as we would like to think. According to Dr. Steve Taylor, from University of Nebraska, the pollen exposure from honey is not consistent, meaning it would be difficult to verify if local honey did have some immunotherapy capabilities. Honey might have therapeutic potential, but it is not a known preventative.

Grape Juice

It has been suggested that if you’re exposed to the stomach flu virus, drinking grape juice can prevent it from coming on. Drinking 100 percent grape juice does provide phytonutrients, which help keep the body healthy, our experts say. And taking care of the digestive tract with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can is good line of defense in promoting your overall health. Grape juice may be a good choice to keep hydrated, but unfortunately, it cannot ward off the flu virus. You should wash your hands, avoid touching your face and mouth and stay home when you are sick.

While trying these home remedies with onions, apple cider vinegar or chicken soup may not be a quick cure, they will not make a cold worse and may provide some comfort when you’re curled up on the couch fighting a cold or flu.

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Can vinegar fight colds and sinus infections?

“Apple cider vinegar is acidic and the concept is that drinking it will neutralize the atmosphere in the body preventing bacteria and viruses from surviving, thus preventing the development of the infection,” said registered dietitian Connie Diekman.

Sounds great, but there is a flaw.

“The problem is that the scientific evidence behind that theory has not been shown in humans yet. Studies have been done but the body of evidence is not there so while this may not be harmful, it may not be helpful,” said Diekman, who is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics and Director of University Nutrition at Washington University.

Does drinking vinegar “detox” the body?

There is no scientific evidence for this, Diekman said. “In fact your kidneys and liver are the key to removing toxins in the body and other than taking care of them, they don’t need any help.”

Can vinegar lower blood sugar?

Dr. Carol Johnston, RD, Professor and Director of the Nutrition Program at Arizona State University, previously shared about vinegar’s effectiveness at lowering blood glucose. We checked back with her for an update.

“Several trials published in 2015 continue to demonstrate the antiglycemic effect of vinegar ingestion in adults with insulin resistance and adults with type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Johnston said. “These trials revealed that glucose uptake by muscle was enhanced by the vinegar ingestions. Hence, the acetic acid in the vinegar may be acting by multiple mechanisms to reduce blood levels of glucose. These trials also demonstrated a reduction in blood triglycerides, an exciting finding.”

On a related topic: Can vinegar help with weight loss?

Dr. Johnston said studies have been conducted that show increased fat oxidation (or breakdown of fat) associated with ingesting acetic acid. “However, since the density of fat is low, this oxidation did not translate to much weight loss. This is an area that needs further research to understand the health relevance.”

Health benefits of vinger are still more folk remedy than scientifically proven remedies.
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Can vinegar improve indigestion or acid reflux?

Dr. Johnston: “To my knowledge, there are no published reports examining the impact of vinegar on acid reflux.”

Diekman offers a word of caution to never consumer vinegar straight. “It should always be diluted to prevent such strong acid from hitting your teeth, gums and esophagus. When consumed with other foods this acidity is mixed with the other foods, changing the negative impact,” she said.

Is apple cider vinegar the best type?

Diekman: “Types of vinegar vary in how they are made and how they taste, but in fact, you can substitute them for each other. Apple cider vinegar tends to be a bit sweeter than white so if you want that more tart, pungent taste you might prefer white. Bottom-line – taste is the key.”

What is the “mother” and does it add nutrients to vinegar?

Diekman: “The ‘mother’ in apple cider vinegar occurs as a result of the fermentation process that makes the vinegar. The cloudy look of many apple cider vinegars is due to the fact the food manufacturers did not filter the fermented vinegar and left the remnants of that process. Some feel this makes the vinegar better in taste but it really is about preference.”

Does vinegar have any other health benefits?

Diekman: “Apple cider vinegar provides great flavor to many dishes but the health benefits are still more folk remedy than they are scientifically proven remedies.”

Use vinegar in your cooking and enjoy its flavor while understanding just what it can and can’t do for your health.

The post 8 Questions About Apple Cider Vinegar Answered appeared first on Best Food Facts.

• diabetes
• high cholesterol
• blood pressure and heart health
• cancer
• weight loss

To better understand these claims, we reached out to Carol Johnston, PhD, RD, Professor and Director of the Nutrition Program at Arizona State University.

Dr. Johnston tells us that there is actually a lot of research, as in “researchers around the globe have conducted human trials with similar results,” to support vinegar’s “antiglycemic” effect. The antiglycemic effect refers to foods that are thought to decrease blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. In these research studies, this effect has been seen in “healthy adults, pre-diabetics, and those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.” Those who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes need to be cautious when consuming vinegar as it has a history of contributing to hypoglycemic (abnormally low blood glucose level) events in those individuals.

Dr. Johnston also points out that the focus on apple cider vinegar alone is a bit misleading. The active agent responsible for the antiglycemic response is acetic acid, which is actually the defining ingredient of all vinegars, not just apple cider vinegar. So, if you’re like Dr. Johnston and prefer the taste of wine vinegars, you’ll still reap the benefits of the acetic acid! While apple cider vinegar is a not a “cure-all” for any health condition, it can be a tasty and nutritious flavor addition to a balanced, healthy lifestyle. As with any other new diet plan, it’s always best to consult your doctor before starting, especially if you have any health concerns.

_{“cider brewing” by Matthew Hurst is licensed under CC BY SA.}

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