THE TRUE BENEFITS OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has several health benefits, including for managing blood sugar levels, backed by research. However, social media posts tend to sensationalize it as a“miracle potion.”
Fact is, you need not consume huge amounts to get good results. Start with small amounts and build up to a maximum of two tablespoons a day. You should also never take it straight. It should be diluted in water or simply added to your favorite recipes. You should also never apply it undiluted to your skin or hair.
ACV has been used as a cooking ingredient and natural medicine for thousands of years. It can easily be incorporated into your meals as part of salad dressings by mixing it with olive oil. You can also substitute mayo by combining avocado and ACV as a binding agent, use it to prepare pickles, drizzle it on sautéed vegetables, or you can incorporate it in marinades.
The amount of ACV that you should take and the timing of taking it before or after meals will depend on your goal. Experts say there is no difference in taking it before bedtime and, in fact, they recommend that you should take it at least three hours before bedtime.
For the management of blood sugar, you can take four teaspoons of ACV mixed with water before a high-carb meal. Vinegar prevents large blood sugar spikes by slowing the rate the stomach is emptied. The crucial part is when to take it. ACV diluted in water should be taken immediately before a highcarb meal.
To improve symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), one tablespoon of ACV mixed with water after dinner may help relieve its symptoms. PCOS is a hormonal condition involving abnormal menstrual cycles, ovarian cysts, insulin resistance, and high levels of androgen hormones.
While there are claims of weight loss benefits, more research is required to establish that. Those who claimed to have received weight loss benefits consume two tablespoons each day, most likely split into two glasses of water with one tablespoon of ACV each taken after meals.
A recent 2024 study, which increased the dosage to three tablespoons of ACV diluted in water, resulted in six- to eight-kilo weight loss, reduced body fat ratio, lower BMI and blood sugar, as well as improved waist-hip ratio. However, there is still a need to validate the results with further studies.
Another claim that needs validation is using ACV before highprotein meals to improve digestion. The thinking is that the heightened acidity in the stomach from taking ACV before meals encourages the release of more pepsin. This is the enzyme needed to break down protein. The dosage is the same — one tablespoon of ACV mixed with water — but this time taken before a high-protein meal.
Though there were some reported side effects such as damage to tooth enamel, low potassium levels and bone deterioration, these were isolated cases involving the undiluted and prolonged use of ACV involving one cup of the acid every day. There are no reported serious side effects from those who do not go over two tablespoons per day diluted with drinking water.
Since ACV may slow the rate at which food leaves the stomach, it cannot be taken by people who have gastroparesis (a condition where food stays in the stomach longer than normal) as well as those with type 1 diabetes. For the latter, it may make insulin management hard to predict due to the effects of slow stomach emptying. You should also check with your physician for any drug interaction it may have with your current daily prescriptions.
ACV’s antibacterial properties are due to its acetic acid and, in smaller amounts, citric, lactic and succinct acids. ACV is reported to help kill the bacteria that cause breakouts. If you are going to try it, the recommendation is to mix one part ACV to three parts water. Use more water if you have sensitive skin. Keep the mixture in a bottle and shake before using. Apply with a cotton ball and let it stay on the skin for five to 20 seconds before rinsing with water.
ACV is also used to enhance hair shine. Dilute one part ACV with five parts water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to wet hair. Let the mixture stay for five minutes, then rinse with water. Since hair shine is one of the most popular benefits of ACV, haircare brand Dphue sells an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse available on Amazon and Sephora. Other brands have their own ACV hair treatments as well. Hair experts caution that you limit use to thrice a week maximum.
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It was amazing to witness chefs, guests and paella aficionados who converged around the colossal paellera during the eighth Paella Gigante Festival held at Ayala Malls’ Greenbelt 3 Park. The country’s most celebrated chefs crafted a culinary feast for the benefit of the elderly and religious communities.
As a precocious child, I was very fond of watching HannaBarbera’s The Adventures of Gulliver. One of its many unforgettable scenes was a party of Lilliputians gathered around a circular table as they savored a giant ostrich egg.
This scene came to my mind as I witnessed the eighth Paella Gigante Festival held at the impressive and upscale Ayala Malls’ Greenbelt 3 Park, a verdant space surrounded by lagoons, a chapel and charming walking paths in the heart of the city.
A blessed event, it was amazing to witness chefs, guests and paella aficionados who converged around the colossal paellera. Over 25 of the country’s most celebrated chefs expertly crafted a culinary masterpiece fit for a grand feast.
According to chef J. Gamboa of El Cirkulo and director of LBT Philippines, “The chefs took turns cooking the paella, as the heat from the fire was intense, making it too hot to stand for more than two minutes at a time. Also, 25 students assisted with the preparation and dishing out of the paella, contributing to the seamless execution of the event.”
Paella captain chef Mikel Arriet, general manager of Anya Resorts Tagaytay, spearheaded the group during this tedious effort of preparing and cooking the paella.
The event was truly a spectacle. It was a very unique collaboration of these culinary wizards who have been putting so much of their unconditional time, effort and love into this project.
In 2012, Paella Gigante emerged as a joint initiative by Ayala Malls Greenbelt, Sociedad Española de Beneficencia (SEB), LTB Philippines and its esteemed partners. For this massive recipe, 100 kilos of McAsia rice were used. Next, 60 kilos of succulent AFC chicken added depth and richness to the dish. Mida Seafoods were poured in with fresh prawns, mussels, and squid totaling 176 pounds (80 kilos) creating a delicate flavor from the ocean. Finally, 23 kilos of smoky sausage combined with the ingredients made the dish even tastier. This masterpiece wouldn’t be called a complete paella without 30 kilos of Tierra de España Chorizo and 15 liters of Espafil Spanish olive oil.
As if this wasn’t enough, a 70-kilo avalanche of fresh 3KA vegetables poured in with crisp onions, vibrant bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes, which added bursts of color and brightness to the dish. Guests enjoyed and savored the paella, as Sweetlink generously provided 1,000 cutlery sets.
Did you know that the preparation of the paella required 10 sacks of firewood and four sacks of charcoal? It’s a testament to the scale and dedication put into creating this culinary spectacle.
Mitch Suarez, Ayala Malls Partner Relations Team deputy head, shared: “This Paella Gigante event has been ongoing these past years. The first ever was done in celebration of Madrid Fusion. Ayala Malls are delighted to provide the venue for the activity, making it more accessible, being in a mall setting for the community to join, especially the residents of Makati.”
Furthermore, the paellera used for the event was an impressive 12 feet in diameter, owned by Instituto Cervantes and stored at Casino Español. LTB Philippines rented a truck to transport it to the Milky Way Building, where it was cleaned and painted, ensuring it was in perfect condition for the grand event.
All proceeds from ticket sales contributed to the programs of Sociedad Española de Beneficencia. SEB, established in 1948, is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of elderly individuals. SEB’s commitment extends to supporting various beneficiaries, religious communities and foundations.
Chef Jerome Valencia, director of LTB Philippines, reflected on the event’s resounding success. “It’s truly remarkable,” he mused, “to see professional chefs, students, and food aficionados collaborate for this worthy endeavor.” LTB Philippines Chefs Association, the national chefs association and a member of World Association of Chefs Societies, has been organizing, sourcing ingredients and chefs for the Festival de Paella Gigante for nearly a decade.
Besides the paella cooking, a bevy of culinary delights and cultural spectacles unfolded. Live cooking demonstrations, Spanish performances, a photobooth, exquisite wines, and a diverse array of vendors transformed the venue into more than just an event; it became a feast for the senses!
Just like in Gulliver’s Travels, a collective meal merges gaiety and gastronomic joy. Paella Gigante’s triumph demonstrated that the power of food brings people together by celebrating cultural diversity and unforgettable experiences — one bite at a time.
See you at the next Paella Gigante event at Ayala Malls’ Greenbelt 3!