Home remedies don't always work, but apple cider vinegar has numerous health benefits you probably never knew about. From banishing skin tags to reducing dandruff, ACV is a cheap and easy way to improve problems through topical application.  

But did you know that drinking the vinegar just before going to sleep can help you lose weight, relieve a stuffy nose, reduce stomach trouble, and more?

The secret is to never drink apple cider vinegar in its pure form or consume it on an empty stomach. A good rule of thumb: Drink a mixture of ACV and water after dinner and 1 hour before bedtime.

Here's What You'll Need:

• 1/2-1 tsp organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
• Honey (optional)

Directions:

Add apple cider vinegar to a drinking glass and stir in the water. Sweeten with honey if desired. Drink 1 hour before bedtime.

Here's what happens to your body when you drink apple cider vinegar:

1. Weight Loss

Apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight in two different ways. It contains pectin, a substance that reduces appetite and makes you less likely to reach for a late-night snack. Also, a study by the Journal of Functional Foods showed that ACV slows the body's ability to turn starchy foods like bread, pasta, and rice into calories.

That means while you sleep, your body could be storing less fat than it usually does. "If you're interfering with the digestion of starch, less is being broken down into calories in the bloodstream," said Carol Johnston, PhD. "Over time, that might cause a subtle effect on weight."

2. Decreases Nighttime Leg Cramps

Many of us suffer from restless leg syndrome and nighttime leg cramps. It's no fun to wake up in the middle of the night with a Charlie Horse. There's a very simple solution to this problem. Leg cramps are often the result of low potassium, and apple cider vinegar is very high in both potassium and magnesium. Both are natural muscle relaxants, and once absorbed by the body, you'll feel better in no time.

3. Helps Treat Sore Throat

Are throat sprays and lozenges not doing the trick? It can't hurt to try a natural remedy to soothe your sore throat. Because apple cider vinegar is naturally antibacterial, you're likely to feel better after gargling with a teaspoon in warm water.

Also, because ACV is acidic, it creates an environment hostile to sore-throat-causing bacteria. Make sure to follow the recipe above and drink ACV right before bedtime so you won't lie awake when your throat is at its worst.

4. Clears Your Sinuses

Allergy season is all season if dust bothers you. If you can't breathe through your nose because your sinuses are stuffed up, apple cider vinegar will help you clear them. Just be sure to NEVER to treat ACV as a sinus rinse. Drinking a teaspoon in a glass of water is enough to neutralize mucus due to vitamins B1, B2, potassium, and magnesium.

5. Reduces Bad Breath

Although harmless, the bacteria in your mouth can sometimes give off a bad smell. Apple cider vinegar helps heal sore throat a similar way it beats bad breath. Many bacteria can't survive in an acidic environment, and ACV is both high in acid and antibacterial properties. Eliminate the odor by drinking some ACV in water.

Rather than using a mouthwash, save yourself some money and grab a bottle of apple cider vinegar - you probably have some in your kitchen cupboard anyways.  

Think of how much money you spend on heartburn medications, mouthwash, laxatives, and sore throat remedies every year. A household ingredient like apple cider vinegar might work for you better than all of these. It's cheap, natural, and has few adverse side effects if consumed correctly.** It can't hurt to give it a try!  

Depending on your ailment, you'll want a different remedy made with ACV. If you want more info, check out this list of apple cider vinegar home remedies.

6. Treats Acid Reflux

Have you ever experienced a burning feeling in your throat after a meal? You could have acid reflux, or as it's more commonly known, heartburn. You can avoid this by cutting certain foods out of your diet, but you can also treat it with apple cider vinegar.

When your stomach doesn't have enough acid to digest food, it circulates the acid at a faster pace, causing some to creep up into your esophagus. Apple cider vinegar helps balance out stomach acid, calming the digestive process and reducing the possibility of heartburn.

7. Prevents Indigestion

The antibiotic properties contained in apple cider vinegar will help combat bloating, gas, and constipation. Not only does it neutralize the overgrowth of candida bacteria in your gut, but this fermented substance also encourages the growth of "healthy" bacteria that aids in digestion.

That's not all. ACV is also a natural laxative that will help keep you regular.

8. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Drinking a mixture of apple cider and water before bedtime has been shown to lower blood sugar levels by 4 to 6 percent. A study by Arizona State University found that "increased satiety and reduced postprandial glycemia" were associated with drinking the concoction, suggesting that ACV can aid those who suffer from diabetes.

9. Cures Hiccups

Hiccups are caused as a result of diaphragm muscle spasms. Most of us have a weird ways of fixing the problem, such as lying upside down or holding our breath (by the way, you can faint if you do this - it happened to me!).

A safe and easy way to banish hiccups is to drink ACV because according to Reader's Digest, it "overstimulates the nerves in the throat responsible for the spasms." Who knew?

**As always, check with your doctor if you plan to use apple cider vinegar as a long-term remedy. An underlying health condition such as an ulcer can worsen as a result of drinking ACV.

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