You can use apple cider vinegar in many main dishes, dressings, and soups, and it can even help lower your blood sugar and maintain your weight. However, there are some important differences between filtered and unfiltered apple cider vinegar, and knowing these can help you choose the right bottle for you.

Apple cider vinegar contains something called "the mother," a collection of probiotics, yeast, and enzymes created by a fermentation process that forms the base of the vinegar. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar retains this bacteria, so bottles labeled "with the mother" have a stronger flavor, contain more probiotics, and are healthier for you.

Filtered apple cider vinegar has been filtered to prevent the mother from forming, which also stops the fermentation process. Whether filtered or unfiltered, don't drink apple cider vinegar undiluted or too frequently, since it can damage your esophagus, interact with medications, or cause digestive issues on an empty stomach.