Apple cider vinegar and honey are touted for their individual health benefits—but together, they may form something even more powerful. Known as oxymel, this tonic dates back to antiquity, when it was often used as a cure-all.
Here’s how drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar and honey could affect your body.
Pinning down concrete research insights on oxymel’s health benefits is tricky—studies have tested many versions of the tonic, making results difficult to compare.
Still, evidence suggests oxymel not only offers the benefits of both individual ingredients but may also create synergistic effects, Frank Duffy, RD, a registered dietitian at Temple University Hospital, told Health.
One recurring finding is that drinking oxymel may have a notable anti-inflammatory effect, providing mild joint relief and supporting immune and heart health, Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES. CDN, a cardiology dietitian and owner of Entirely Nourished, told Health.
Research also suggests that oxymel may help improve markers associated with heart disease and diabetes, such as lower fasting insulin levels, cholesterol, and BMI.
Beyond its metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects, oxymel appears to have properties that help kill bacteria and promote healing. “Honey inhibits bacteria due to its low water activity, natural acidity, and hydrogen peroxide content, while apple cider vinegar’s acetic acid disrupts bacterial cell membranes,” Routhenstein explained.
When applied to the skin, oxymel may even function as a wound protectant, Duffy added. A 2025 report found that the vinegar-honey combination was 1,000 times more effective at killing bacteria than vinegar alone—and up to 100,000 times more effective than honey alone.
Like oxymel, different types of honey have been studied for their health benefits, making it hard to draw broad conclusions about the sweetener. But, by and large, research suggests that honey offers a range of health benefits:
- Lowering levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides
- Reducing the severity and duration of coughs
- Supporting wound healing
- Promoting digestion
Honey is also rich in antioxidants, which help reduce oxidative stress and support heart, brain, and cellular health, noted Routhenstein.
Meanwhile, apple cider vinegar appears to improve various risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, including promoting weight management and a healthier lipid profile.
According to Duffy, vinegar may also slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream and reduce the rate of food digestion and absorption, potentially helping to improve blood sugar levels.
Though the potential health benefits might seem compelling, oxymel isn’t right for everyone.
Because oxymel can raise blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should be careful when consuming the drink, warned Duffy.
Those at higher risk for stomach cancer should also avoid it, as pickled foods—some of which are made with vinegar—have been linked to the disease, he added. Also, skip the oxymel if you have an ulcer or acid reflux, since it may worsen symptoms.
Oxymel can also interact with certain diabetes medications and potassium-lowering drugs if overused, so be sure to consult your physician or dietitian before consuming oxymel if you take either of these, advised Routhenstein.
According to Duffy, the ideal oxymel preparation is a 1:2 ratio of vinegar to honey. He suggested sticking to “around two tablespoons per day,” to avoid potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, heightened allergies, or yeast infections.
Routhenstein recommends diluting oxymel in water and consuming it with meals to protect tooth enamel, reduce stomach irritation, and minimize blood sugar spikes. To further safeguard your teeth from the acidity, sip it through a straw or rinse your mouth with water after ingesting it.
Finally, pay attention to your body, Routhenstein advised. “Start with small amounts to see how your stomach and digestion tolerate it,” she said.
