Vinegar is a staple of most homes in America and other parts of the world because it has proven very valuable and is readily available.
It has been used for over many centuries as a beverage, preserving food, cooking, and also for preventing diseases largely because it has strong antifungal and antiviral properties. And it is mainly because of these antifungal properties that make lots of people use vinegar for toenail fungus.
What is Vinegar?
Vinegar is a mild form of acetic acid, usually between 4% – 21%, with a broad range of chemicals (and flavorings) depending on their source materials. It is important to note that most commercially available vinegar has only about 4% – 8% acetic acid concentration.
Quick Fact: Did you know that Apple Cider Vinegar has no nutritional content? It is made of 95% water with no fat or protein or significant micronutrient.
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How Vinegar is Made
Vinegar is made by fermentation of several wines and fruit juices either by a slow or fast fermentation process. (Source)
Slow fermentation proceeds throughout the course of a few months to a year and mostly used in commercial settings, while the fast fermentation process, which requires the addition of bacterial culture (mother of vinegar), typically takes only a few days.
The most common source materials for making vinegar include Apples, Blackcurrant, Tomatoes, Cider, Palm, and Coconut water.
Health Benefits of Vinegar
The health benefits of Vinegar are strongly tied to its acetic acid content and some of the potential benefits include;
Exfoliation: Vinegar remove plantar warts, calluses, and corns.
Vinegar is mildly corrosive thanks to its acetic acid content, which makes it a good agent for exfoliation. It can be used to remove plantar warts, remove corns, remove whiteheads, and treat cracked heels.
For use on the feet, soak the affected foot into a bowl with vinegar foot soak for 10 – 20 minutes. Thereafter, use a foot file or pumice to file down warts, corns, or cracked heels. Repeat until you get your desired result.
Buy very cheap feet files and pumice from amazon.
Use Vinegar to preserve food
Vinegar is an excellent preservative for vegetables and other perishable fruits. It has been found by this study to inhibit the growth and proliferation of E.coli, a common bacteria that causes most food to spoil.
Better blood sugar control
Researchers in 2004 found out that vinegar can improve the sensitivity of body cells to insulin by up to 34% after a high carbohydrate meal in people with diabetes. (Source)
A different research also found out that taking one tablespoon of vinegar at night reduced blood sugar by up to 4% the following morning in people with diabetes.
Several other studies have shown that vinegar can be valuable in helping people with diabetes achieve better blood sugar control.
Help with weight loss
Vinegar has been shown to help with weight loss, a burning issue for lots of people. While the mechanism is not clear, Vinegar is believed to make you feel full and suppress hunger which leads to consuming fewer calories and subsequently lose weight.
One study found that consuming vinegar together with carbohydrates lowered glucose production and increased feeling of fullness in healthy people.
As an antimicrobial agent
The typical acetic acid concentration in vinegar (4%) has been shown by many studies to effectively stop the growth of many species of bacteria and fungi which can otherwise cause diseases, especially on the skin, feet, and mouth.
Using Vinegar for Toenail Fungus
Soaking your feet in vinegar daily has a very good curative effect on toenail fungus. The acetic acid contained in Vinegar helps to stop and prevent further growth of the toenail fungus, thus allowing it your toenails to recover faster. Source.
Vinegar is regularly used in combination with other essential oils like clove oil, tea tree oil, and Snakeroot oil to treat toenail fungus.
To use vinegar for toenail fungus;
Prepare a vinegar feet soak by mixing 1 part of vinegar to 2 parts of lukewarm water in a large bowl
Soak your feet in the solution for up to 30 minutes (You can watch tv or read a novel while you’re doing this).
Wipe your feet dry with a clean towel and apply either clove oil, tea tree oil, or snakeroot oil to the affected toes.
Repeat every day for up to 3 months.
Adverse Effects
Can cause low blood sugar
If you’re a diabetic, please consult your doctor before using vinegar to avoid having episodes of low blood sugar as vinegar may interact with your medications and make their effect stronger.
Can cause Heartburn or Indigestion
Consuming too much vinegar or highly concentrated vinegar can cause heartburn, indigestion or irritation of your stomach just like other acids
Skin irritation
Some people may experience skin irritation, especially on the hands and face when using undiluted vinegar.
Allergies
Although allergy to vinegar is very rare, it is still good to be cautious if you’re trying it for the first time. Allergic reactions can include hives, rash, and swelling of the affected area.
How To Buy The Best Vinegar For Toenail Fungus
Whether you prefer shopping online or from your local store, it is important to look out for a few things to make sure you get the right vinegar for toenail fungus
White vs Others: The difference between white and other vinegar is the source. White vinegar is made from fermenting alcohol and works just as good as any other vinegar. It is also very easy to find white vinegar in stronger concentrations, as high as 32%.
On the downside, you don’t get the exotic flavors from fruit Vinegar. Either option should work well for toenail fungus.
Acetic acid concentration: For best results, look to buy vinegar with up 20% acetic acid concentration. That way, you still have a strong vinegar and can dilute as required.
With or without mother: Mother of vinegar is a cellulose substance that contains rich acetic acid bacteria culture used in the fast fermentation process of vinegar. It is rich in enzymes and proteins and may have additional health benefits.
Vinegar labeled as “unfiltered” contains ‘mother’ and usually has a cloudy appearance when compared to filtered vinegar without mother.
The Bottomline
Vinegar is a multipurpose home staple that you likely already have in your cupboard or can easily find in any local store and it has found so many different uses over the years. Using vinegar for toenail fungus can be a good and cheap solution especially when used regularly as directed.
It is highly recommended that you see your doctor if you have used vinegar for more than four months without any improvements, or experience any adverse effects.
Finally, make sure to get rid of old shoes, and take other measure to prevent toenail fungus!
