We have all heard that Apple cider vinegar’s benefits can be the cure or remedy for some if not most types of conditions and illnesses.
Not one to take everything I heard or read as gospel truth I decided to do a little research but first of all what is apple cider vinegar? Apple cider vinegar is a liquid obtained from the fermentation of apple cider.
Fermented fruits typically turn into alcohol after a while, but if you leave the alcohol for a few more days the alcohol from the apples will turn into apple cider vinegar.
Similar to many other kinds of vinegar, the key component of the resulting product is acetic acid though you can also find other ingredients such as bacteria, malic, citric and lactic acids.
According to experts in the natural health community, these substances or a combination of these substances can result in all manner of benefits for your health.
Some of these include improved blood sugar, reduced cholesterol, weight loss, better gut and skin health among others. Read on for a breakdown of the many apple cider vinegar benefits.
What are these apple cider vinegar health benefits that many people are talking about?
1. Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar is often touted as a kind of miracle drug though how it works could not be any simpler. When you take ACV, it goes to work against your stomach enzymes particularly the ones that digest starch.
This makes your digestive system absorb fewer carbohydrates which will help in the quest for weight loss.
It also makes one feel sated faster and so you will eat less of other types of food which goes a long way towards helping one lose weight.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Has Antifungal Properties
Apple cider vinegar is effective for dealing with all manner of fungal infections ranging from vaginal, throat, and mouth infections.
For persons with type 2 diabetes, which increases the risk of fungal infections, ACV can be one of the best additions to the diet.
Moreover, apple cider vinegar also works to control blood sugar making it possible to kill two birds with one stone.
Some fungal conditions that ACV has been shown to be effective against include chronic and drug-resistant mouth, and vaginal Candida albicans.
3. Relieves Symptoms Of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux also is known as GERD is a common condition that results in acid backing up from the stomach and into the esophagus.
This results in a lot of uncomfortable symptoms that include nausea, belching, and heartburn. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, chances are you have too little acid in your stomach.
Drinking a glass of water with one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar can be very effective in providing relief from acid reflux.
Combined with a diet rich in fermented foods, healthy fats, and vegetables you could experience significant relief from your symptoms.
4. Help Prevent Diabetes By Controlling Blood Sugar
Acetic acid works to control blood sugar by reducing the effect of starch-digesting enzymes.
Carbohydrates and starchy foods such as bread and pasta are the biggest culprits in the spike of blood sugar, particularly after a meal.
When you take acetic acid, the action of these enzymes is reduced such that there is much less of a spike in blood sugar.
As such, you will have far much less blood sugar and less fluctuation in blood sugar levels in between meals and after meals.
5. Improves Heart Health And Lowers Cholesterol
Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the western world. There are several biological factors that may increase or decrease your risk of developing heart disease.
If you are at risk of developing heart disease you can lower it by consuming apple cider vinegar that has been shown to lower cholesterol, one of the major risk factors for developing heart disease.
Vinegar also does help to fight heart disease as it effective against other conditions such as diabetes, as it reduces blood sugar levels and improves sensitivity to insulin.
By dealing with other causal factors of heart disease, ACV reduces your risk of contracting heart disease.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar Is Used For Better Digestion
The human gut is full of microorganisms that help to destroy harmful bacteria and help in the digestion of food.
Some of these microorganisms are similar to such as found in skin creams, yogurt, and other organic products. Just like yogurt, apple cider vinegar is full of beneficial microorganisms that help in the digestion of food.
Aside from helping in the absorption of food, ACV also has fiber which is food for beneficial bacteria in the gut.
7. Improves Skin Health
Apple cider vinegar is not only effective when you are dealing with internal health issues as it has been found to be great for your skin health too.
Since vinegar is an antibacterial, it fights all manner of skin bacteria. Through its component acids such as citric, acetic and lactic acid, ACV can help deal with your acne.
It not only reduces the incidence of acne but also reduces scarring if you get acne.
Treatment of scarring typically does result in improvements in the appearance of the skin, lightening of scars, and change of pigmentation and texture.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar Can Give You More Energy
If you need to have more energy then Apple cider vinegar may just be what you are looking for.
Research has shown that athletes who consume apple cider juice tend to have stronger muscles probably because of the potassium in the vinegar.
Vinegar has a lot of potassium that has been shown to fine-tune muscle control thus making one less susceptible to muscle cramps and twitches.
It has also been established that acetic acid may help to convert carbohydrates into energy.
9. Helps With Your Arthritis Issues
Apple cider vinegar has been known to help people suffering from arthritis. It has characteristics that can aid in making arthritis problems manageable.
Some of these characteristics are helping in the cutting of weight and reducing inflammations. You can learn more about the effects of apple cider vinegar on arthritis here.
Apple cider vinegar is made from the fermentation of apple cider which produces enzymes and healthy probiotics that have a lot of health benefits.
Apple cider vinegar health benefits include relieving acid reflux, enhancing skin health, controlling blood sugar, regulating cholesterol and blood pressure and promoting weight loss.
However, just like with any other natural health remedy, you need to consume organic and unfiltered cider vinegar to get all the benefits.
You also do need to use vinegar in moderation and combine it with a healthy lifestyle and nutritious diet if you are to see any significant results.
Nonetheless, it is a great health remedy that fits most diets including the popular ketogenic diets.
Are you now thinking of adding apple cider vinegar in your daily life? Which of these benefits do you need the most?