Did you know that your gut can handle more than your brain can deal with? Although your brain makes up just 2 percent of your body weight, it has an impact on almost every part of your body. The gut is an even smaller part of your body, but it has a much greater impact on your health and well-being than you might think.

The large number of bacteria found in the gut is called your gut microbiome. The abundance of these bacteria is believed to determine your susceptibility to a number of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disorders and diabetes. The types of bacteria found in your body depend on three factors: age, gender, and environment. For example, women have a different gut bacteria composition than men. (1)

Although everyone can benefit from a healthy gut, the gut effects we all share are potentially life-changing. (2)

Here are 5 ways that drinking apple cider vinegar refreshers could benefit you:

Fight inflammation.

If you’ve been diagnosed with an inflammatory condition, such as autoimmune disorder or inflammatory bowel disease, you might want to consider adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to your daily diet.

Cider vinegar is known to reduce inflammation, which may help with symptoms of both conditions. For example, a study found that drinking 2 glasses of vinegar three times a week reduced the inflammation that causes Crohn’s disease by 50 percent. (3)

Help maintain good bacteria in your gut.

Your gut is home to a wide variety of bacteria that impact your health in a variety of ways. The more “friendly” the bacteria, the more likely you are to thrive.

For example, when your gut’s bacterial population is low, you’re more likely to develop IBS and other digestive issues, even if you’re otherwise healthy. The bacterial imbalance may also be responsible for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even certain forms of cancers. (4, 5)

There are a few things you can do to strengthen your gut bacteria and help prevent disease. You can take a high-fiber diet and drank plenty of plain old water. You can also eat fermented foods like natto, sauerkraut, and kimchi. (6)

Have a bit of a gut-cleansing effect.

Beyond just improving your health and relieving your digestive symptoms, drinking apple cider vinegar refreshers occasionally could improve the pH levels in your gut.

Scientists aren’t sure why, but some researchers believe that the high acidity in your stomach prompts your body to make more bile, which can be toxic. (7)

Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is perhaps the most important thing you can do to protect your health. But sometimes, just having a clean digestive system is a priority.

Help with digestion.

While the majority of studies on the benefits of apple cider vinegar have focused on the digestive system, the product has been promising in supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

In one study, subjects were given a daily drink of 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with meals for six weeks. After three weeks, a control group was given a regular diet without vinegar. The results were dramatic. The gut bacteria in the group that consumed the vinegar had grown by a median of 11,000 percent and accounted for up to 50 percent of the total change in the gut microbiome.

Bacterial counts in the control group had grown by only 2 percent. (8)

Rehydrate yourself.

Drinking a glass of water two to three times a day is likely good for you. But what if you’re not hungry? What if you want to replenish your batteries?

There are a number of ways to do this. You can drink green tea, ginger, or papaya. You can eat a balanced, healthy diet. Or you can take a herbal supplement like fenugreek, turmeric, genuine, or adore.

Some people also find it helps to take a “buzz bomb” pill. “Buzz bombs” are herbal supplements that contain caffeine, a natural stimulant, and menthol, a natural painkiller.

Bottom line

For many people, drinking a glass of water is the best thing to do for their health. But why not drink more of it? One reason is that you don’t want to overthink it. There is no one size that fits all when it comes to drinking water. You should drink water according to your health condition and the amount of water you should drink is different for each person.

There are, however, some benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar refreshers that everyone can enjoy.

Drinking water is a core function of any healthy lifestyle. It’s important to remember that not every glass of water will be beneficial for you. It’s best to rule these items out before you purchase your next bottle.