Ask the Diva: Nutrients in Cider Vinegar?

Q. I just listened to your podcast on vinegar and wanted to know if apple cider vinegar has any nutritional benefits other than purported weight loss. I drink about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in water almost everyday. I thought it was a quick and easy way to get good a dose of vitamin C and other nutrients without having to eat raw apples.

A.  If you’re looking for vitamin C, you’d be better off spiking your water with lemon juice. A tablespoon of lemon juice provides about 25% of your daily needs. Cider vinegar doesn’t contain any vitamin C at all — and even apples contain only a little. You can look up nutritional information for lemon juice, apples, cider vinegar, and ten thousand other foods at NutritionData.com.