Apple Cider Vinegar: Why Do You Hide a Powerful Remedy in Your Kitchen?

Are you familiar with the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar? Perhaps you have never considered drinking it for health reasons, or you weren’t certain how to use it, however, all the time you had a powerful folk remedy in your kitchen.

For centuries, apple cider vinegar has been used as a cure, and this cure can contribute to weight loss, detoxification of the body, and energizing the organism. This health tonic is considered a remedy for almost everything – allergies, migraines, nausea, heartburn, inflammation, sunburn, dandruff and more.  It contains essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, chlorine, iron and sodium. It is rich in vitamins C, A, B1, B2, B6 and E.

The vinegar also contains amino acids and fiber. Due to malic acid, apple cider vinegar has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

 

How these health-boosting nutrients contribute to our health?

 

#1 Digestion

After stimulating the production of saliva, apple cider vinegar begins breaking down the carbohydrates and enhancing the digestive enzymes in the stomach, which, in turn, contribute to breaking down the foods faster.

If you drink apple cider vinegar regularly, ideally before each meal, you will improve the digestion significantly.

Drink a glass of water with a tablespoon of ACV around 15 minutes before a meal to stimulate the digestive system.

 

#2 Weight Loss/Metabolism

Pectin in the vinegar is believed to suppress the appetite, while its acetic acid increases your metabolism and reduces water retention, according to researchers.

Studies have shown acetic acid suppresses the accumulation of body fat and liver lipids. The vinegar interferes with the body’s digestion of starch, which means that less calories can enter the bloodstream.

While improving digestion, ACV reduces hunger and makes you feel fuller for longer.

Add 2 tablespoons of ACV to 16 ounces of water and drink during the day (add honey for a better taste).

 

#3 Detoxification

Acids in apple cider vinegar aid in detoxifying the digestive tract, cleaning out the colon and liver. These acids suppress the accumulation of liver lipids, which means they detoxify the liver.

For daily detoxification, drink a large glass of water with a tablespoon of the vinegar.

 

#4 Diabetes

Given that apple cider vinegar interferes with starch digestion, slowing down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, this interference prevents blood sugar spikes.

Several studies have shown that ACV could help lower the glucose levels, a study from 2007, in particular, showed that two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered glucose levels in the morning by 4-6 percent in participants with type 2 diabetes.

If you have diabetes, contact your physician before you start taking it for the long term.

 

#5 Heart, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Potassium in vinegar can balance the sodium levels in the body, which help maintain the blood pressure, and reduce bad cholesterol, showed the study in rats.

Apple cider vinegar decreases the levels of triglycerides and increases the good cholesterol, showed a study in rats, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Magnesium in the vinegar relaxes blood vessel walls and lowers the high blood pressure as well.

 

#6 Immune system

The malic acid in apple cider vinegar is responsible for enhancing the immune system. This acid has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties, which benefit the lymphatic system as well, cleansing lymph nodes and relieving sinus congestion, alleviating allergies and reducing colds.

When the immune system is weakened, you are more susceptible to infections – one tablespoon of the vinegar diluted in water can drain your sinuses.

 

#7 Heartburn, constipation and intestinal problems

The pectin fiber in apple cider vinegar soothes the gastrointestinal tract, thus prevent stomach cramps, bloating and gas. It acts as a mild laxative and thus can be very helpful is a case of occasional constipation.

The vinegar is also helpful in correcting low stomach acid that leads to heartburn.

 

#8 Sore throat

As mentioned, apple cider vinegar has antiviral and antibacterial properties, which means it is an excellent remedy for a sore throat.

The moment you start to feel a prickle, use apple cider vinegar, and mix in water (1:1 dilution) and gargle. For those who cannot bear the taste, add lemon and honey:  add the juice of half a lemon, one tablespoon of the vinegar, and honey to one cup of warm water and drink it three times a day.

 

#9 Skin

Foods and drinks that help detoxify the body have a direct impact on the skin, and given apple cider vinegar is used to improve digestion and cleanse the liver, it also affects the skin positively.

Acne is, for instance, the result of clogged pores, and once the body expels the toxins, acne can be treated effectively, and can sometimes even disappear completely. This is also the case with other skin ailments such as psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.

Apple cider vinegar can be used to treat blemishes as well – dilute apple cider vinegar. Apply on a cotton pad and dab on blemishes to dry them out – this will speed up the healing process.

 

#10 Hair

For centuries, apple cider vinegar is used as a hair rinse – after shampooing your hair. Use ½ a tablespoon of the vinegar and dilute in a cup of cold water, then pour through your hair.

If you apply apple cider vinegar directly to the scalp, you can destroy the bacteria and fungus that causes dandruff. Rub in your scalp and leave for 30 minutes before washing your hair.

 

#11 Aging

Apple cider vinegar is rich in antioxidants that can help slow down the aging process.  These antioxidants help our body get rid of free radicals and keep the acid-base balance.

 

#12 Energy

Amino acids in apple cider vinegar neutralize the buildups of lactic acid that occurs after stress and exercise, and by neutralizing it, the energy in the body increases.

The vinegar can also help reduce the body’s acidity and increase alkalinity, which means there are more oxygen in the body and less free radicals and pathogens.

 

#13 Bad breath

Acetic and malic acids reduce the bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. To minimize the bad breath, add one tablespoon to a third of a cup of water and gargle for 20 seconds. If you need more information on what causes bad breath, and how to stop it, read how to make bad breath history.

 

#14 Leg cramps

Apple cider vinegar is rich in potassium, and increasing the level of potassium in the body helps battle nighttime leg cramps and restless leg syndrome. Tired feet? Consider natural remedies to relieve the pain.

 

#15 Osteoporosis

Apple cider vinegar helps nutrient absorption of calcium and other minerals from the food. Including the vinegar in your diet enables the body to absorb more calcium and prevent osteoporosis.

 

#16 Hiccups

Muscle spasms and high stomach acid cause hiccups, and apple cider vinegar can help relax the nerves and restore the acid balance.

 

If you decide to try apple cider vinegar, make sure it’s pure, organic and unpasteurized and the one that contains the “mother of vinegar”, which is the live probiotic portion that holds the healing powers (beneficial enzymes, pectin and trace minerals).

The vinegar that contains “the mother” has cloudy strings in the bottom of the bottle, shake it before using it.

 

Do you know other benefits of apple cider vinegar? Have you tried it? Share with us in comments below. 

 

Reference:
Bragg, P.C, and Bragg, P., (2011). Apple Cider Vinegar Miracle Health System.  Health Science
Jarvis, D.C., (1958).  Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good Health. Holt, Rhinehart and Winston
The Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Most Remarkable Remedy. 2009. Kensington Publishing Corporation

 
Image by 123Rf Photo Stock

 
Last article update: 9/1/2019