Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to be used for a very long time in order to counter many health problems and ailments in people. Vinegar itself has found use in many different places due to its property of keeping away toxins and bacteria. The reason why vinegar is added to many food items like pickles and used in different places like cleaning dirty dishes, polishing various metallic items is due to the fact that it can dissolve a lot of dirt and can remove stains. It is due to this property of vinegar that apple cider vinegar has been used as a product to help cleanse and detoxify the system.
Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar has been used as a compound to treat many ailments from ancient times. It has been used in many traditional medicine systems due to the proven benefits of vinegar. Even in modern medicine, there have been many research studies that have shown that apple cider vinegar is beneficial in providing relief for many medical problems that include obesity and diabetes.
How is Apple Cider Vinegar Made?
Apple Cider Vinegar is basically super fermented apple cider, which is nothing but crushed apples. During the process of fermentation, the bacteria and yeast break down the sugars in the juice of the fruit and it forms an alcoholic compound. If you leave this alcohol to ferment further, it forms vinegar. Vinegar is derived from a French word that means, “sour wine”. The major component of vinegar is acetic acid and also other nutrients like vitamins, minerals and many other amino acids.
Researched and Proven Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to work on a various ailments all of different kinds. Here are some of the medical benefits that apple cider vinegar can provide:
Gout and Arthritis: It has been noted that apple cider vinegar is quite effective in providing relief against gout as well as arthritis. In gout, the problem is of accumulation of uric acid in joints. Consuming this liquid mixed with water will help dissolve and flush out the uric acid. Also, for people with arthritis, it helps in slowing down the progression of this disease due the presence of antioxidants and free radicals that help in tackling with the pain and inflammation that the disease brings with it.
Diabetes: Among the most researched benefit of apple cider vinegar has been in the field of diabetes cure. There have been many studies that have pointed at success in helping arrest the level of blood sugar by the consumption of apple cider vinegar. It has been proved that people who have consumed a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar have had lower levels of glucose than those who hadn’t consumed any.
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure: The next biggest ailment in people is heart related problems including cholesterol and blood pressure. There have been studies conducted to understand the effects of taking regular doses of apple cider vinegar and it has been proved that people who have consumed it have lesser problems with respect to cholesterol as compared to people who haven’t consumed vinegar. This also ensures that people do not have a risk of heart diseases.
Cancer: There have been studies that have indicated that consumption of apple cider vinegar has helped in slowing growth of cancer cells or even killing these cells. There have been studies that have shown that vinegar even has lesser risk of getting esophageal cancer.
Improved Digestive System: Vinegar consumption has been repeatedly used for ensuring one can fight indigestion. In case you are planning to treat yourself to a sumptuous meal, it might be the best idea to take a teaspoon of vinegar before the meal. Also, if you have diarrhea then to treat the infection causing bacteria, it may be a good idea to consume a teaspoon of vinegar in water. Apple cider vinegar is known to be very effective against bacteria therefore washing it down from the digestive system. It almost has an antibiotic sort of an effect on the body.
Sore Throat: If you have an itchy or sore throat, it is probably because of some sort of an infection that can be flushed out by using vinegar. A lot of germs do not thrive in acidic environment therefore subjecting the infected area to acidic environment provided by vinegar can help kill germs.
Shinier Teeth: As mentioned earlier as well, apple cider vinegar has the property of washing down germs and bacteria. Therefore, if you gurgle with a little bit of vinegar before brushing your teeth every morning, you will be sure to notice a marked difference in your teeth. It will ensure the stains are gone and your teeth are no longer discolored. In addition to this, in order to ensure that your teeth remain healthy, you could add salt or baking soda while brushing once in a while.
Risks Associated and Should You use it?
There’s no doubt that there are a lot of benefits associated with apple cider vinegar. However, there are equal numbers of risks associated with it based on the kind of medical history you have had.
Because it is vinegar, the product is extremely acidic. The product if consumed as it is can be very harsh. Therefore, one must always be sure to dilute the liquid with enough quantity of water before consuming it. In case you are prone to osteoporosis, let your doctor know before you consume vinegar because in the long term it could result in reducing bone density.
If you already have diabetes you need to exercise caution before consuming vinegar because it has a tendency to play around with your insulin levels. Therefore, you need to consult your doctor before determining if this is the right choice for you.
Remember that like other supplements, this is not FDA regulated therefore you need to be very careful before you start on the product. Talk to your health care provider and understand implications of use before you try apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar or ACV as it’s called is vinegar made from cider or from apple must. Cider is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from the juices of fruits such as apples, peaches, grapes and the like. The alcohol content might vary from 2% to 8.5%. Sometimes cider may also mean non-alcoholic apple cider. Apple must on the other hand is freshly pressed apple juice. It contains the skin, seeds and stem of the fruit. It has a very high glucose content and is pasteurised and sold separately also. Now that you know from what apple cider vinegar is made, let’s see how it is made.
How to make apple cider vinegar?
You may be intrigued by this product. It is available in supermarkets and grocery stores. But if you want to try at home, here’s how to go about it.
- Take pieces of apples, the fleshy part, the seeds, the skin and anything remotely apple and set them out in the sun to dry. Keep at it till all the pieces are completely brown.
- Then take a jar, put the dried apple scraps in it and top it up with water. Cover the jar with a cheese cloth or a muslin cloth and leave it in a dark space.
- Check for some greying foam on top of the jar. As soon as this starts forming, let the jar stay for a month and half. Don’t disturb the contents.
- After that just strain out the liquid from the jar.
That is apple cider vinegar for you. This process will roughly take two months. And your vinegar might be a little cloudy, but it’s good for health. You can taste the liquid from the jar to make sure that it is the right strength for you. You can always dilute it by adding water later on.
Now that you have prepared apple cider vinegar, what are you going to do with it? Keep reading to find out.
What is apple cider vinegar used for?
Folk medicine lists many uses for apple cider vinegar. But even if we think of contemporary times, apple cider vinegar has numerous uses. Some of them are
- It is sold as a health tonic or as a salad dressing.
- It is used in food preservatives, vinaigrettes, and chutneys.
- It has also been said to kill head lice, reverse aging and give you glowing skin, and ease digestion as you age. Killing head lice doesn’t have any scientific proof because any kind of vinegar works with that, so it can’t be just compartmentalized to apple cider vinegar.
- It helps in losing weight.
So what else can you do with apple cider vinegar? Have you thought about gifting it? They would make for amazing Christmas presents to friends and family, especially if they know that you have made it at home. It will have that touch and also be useful for them. Think about it and get working!
Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to work against a lot of ailments and has been in use for many centuries. Apple Cider Vinegar is a highly powerful mixture that is formed after fermenting and due to this process of fermentation; it gives rise to nutrients to make it so potent. Some of the nutrients that are present in Apple Cider Vinegar are iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and a whole lot of vitamins.
Some of the health benefits of consuming apple cider vinegar are:
- Healthy Kidneys: The compound is known to contain malic acid, which is known to fight infections caused due to bacteria. The biggest advantage of apple cider vinegar is its ability to flush out bad toxins from the kidneys and bladder. Due to the kind of junk food we eat there could be a lot of toxin build up that can be flushed out by apple cider vinegar. This in turn helps people having chronic kidney failure, kidney stones and even Pyelitis. Pyelitis is caused due to bacterial infection on the kidney and bladder. Drinking 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar in a glass of water everyday also easily flushes this out.
Helps Patients With Gout: Gout is caused mainly due to accumulation of uric acid in joints. Because apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, it helps flush out the excess uric acid. Also, because it contains potassium it helps remove toxins in the body. By consuming apple cider vinegar, users have noted benefits that include lesser pain in the joints and lesser amount of inflammation and discomfort. These benefits have been noticed almost immediately in affected persons.
Brighter Teeth: If you wake up everyday and before brushing your teeth, you rinse and gargle with apple cider vinegar; it helps make your teeth brighter and whiter. It helps dissolve stains and also kill bacteria that thrive in the mouth. After gargling, brush your teeth like you normally do. Also, add a little bit of baking soda on your toothpaste once a week while brushing. It will also help in the process of whitening of your teeth.
Digestive System: Apple Cider Vinegar is quite beneficial in maintaining peace in your digestive system. If you are prone to indigestion, taking a sip of apple cider vinegar before a meal will help prevent this problem. What would be better is if you could mix a teaspoon of this product in a glass of water and add a teaspoon of honey to this mixture. Also, if you are already down with diarrhea, it might be a good idea to gulp down some of this wonder liquid. It helps by fighting bacteria in your system by being an antibiotic. Because of the presence of pectin, it helps work against painful spasms.
Apart from the benefits mentioned above, the compound is also effective in providing relief to people with arthritis due to the antioxidant properties that helps dissolve toxic substances. Apart from providing relief, it even slows down progression of the disease.
Apple cider vinegar has a lot many health benefits. Some people take it to be the elixir for good health and swear by its daily use. Many people take in first thing in the morning and some with their tea or milk. But in spite of it being a natural supplement, there are some side effects that you need to be aware of. However they are quite mild and precautions can be taken to eliminate the symptoms. So you should be aware of what all may happen once you start on apple cider vinegar.
Throat and skin damage: No don’t freak out! This is minor discomfort for your throat and skin. The apple cider vinegar is available in a very concentrated form, so before you apply it on your skin, dilute it with water. Applying the strong potion n your skin may give rise to rashes or allergies. Secondly while consuming it, mix it in water or tea or milk or juice. The idea is to have it in a diluted form. You can make a health elixir by mixing two tablespoons in a glass of water and keep sipping it intermittently throughout the day. Don’t alter the portion of the apple cider vinegar.
Stick to apple cider vinegar liquid and if you must take pills then take it with lot of water. Also drink plenty of fluids whenever you are on the apple cider vinegar diet.
Weak tooth enamel: Apple cider vinegar has high acidic content and can harm your tooth enamel due to prolonged use or over dosage. So there are two ways to prevent this. First you need to dilute it, so that it can’t cause lasting harm. Secondly try to minimize contact with the teeth. Sip the diluted liquid through a straw. That may mean sipping the tea through a straw. It’s just an aesthetic annoyance, but will save your teeth in the long run. Then after you are done drinking rinse your mouth with cold water. Don’t brush without rinsing as it might cause more damage to the enamel.
Lower potassium and bone density: Apple cider vinegar leads to low potassium levels in the body, and this translates to low bone density. In fact people with osteoporosis should avoid apple cider vinegar all together. But if you still have to take it, stick to low doses of apple cider vinegar and don’t take it regularly. Four times a week should be enough. Or you could even supplement your diet with some potassium supplements. And you should clarify with your doctor and ensure that it doesn’t interfere with other medication that you are taking. Patients of cardiovascular disease should avoid this as they already may be taking blood thinning medication.
Therefore whenever you start with this diet, keep your doctor in the loop and discuss all your concerns with him. Even if the side effects are mild, you should stay on your guard to prevent any lasting damage.
There have been many claims far and wide that say that apple cider vinegar or ACV has helped people lose weight if taken regularly. And for all its worth, the chemical composition of apple cider vinegar does really help with weight loss. First you need to understand what goes on in our body at the chemical level and how it contributes to weight loss. To ensure weight loss, you have to first ensure that energy n your body gets utilised. That is why we take to exercising and eating a balanced diet. The more your exercise, the more energy you use up and more amount of fat is burnt. So ultimately it comes down to increasing the body’s metabolism or increasing the body’s consumption of alcohol. Keep reading to know how apple cider vinegar helps with increasing the body’s metabolism.
Apple cider vinegar as an appetite suppressant
At the outset, apple cider vinegar is just an appetite suppressant. It has a fibrous substance in it called pectin. Therefore consuming ACV just before a meal makes you feel fuller and you eat less. Other than this pectin is separately sold as a source of dietary fibre.
How does apple cider vinegar help in increasing metabolism?
ACV contains acetic acid that facilitates the release of iron from food in the body. Iron has an affinity for haemoglobin and haemoglobin attracts oxygen. So as more and more oxygen gets attached to haemoglobin, it increases the metabolism. Metabolism also means an increased intake of oxygen. While running on the treadmill, when you are panting and puffing, struggling for air to breathe that also ups your metabolism.
While you sleep growth hormones are released in the body that helps you get rid of the previous day’s wear and tear. These hormones are generally proteins and ACV helps with the breakdown of proteins in the body. As more and more protein gets utilised in your body, your metabolism naturally increases.
Finally another reason for weight gain is too much water retention or bloating. This happens when there is too much sodium in the system. ACV has a lot of potassium in it that helps to flush out the excess sodium, thus keeping your body both hydrated and happy. You don’t feel bloated or thirsty.
How can you use apple cider vinegar?
- Have two table spoons early in the morning before any meal. Or add two tablespoons to a glass of warm milk.
- You can also make a health tonic by adding two tablespoons to half a glass of water and drink it at intervals throughout the day.
- Add honey, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your cup of tea and make it your favourite weight loss drink.
While you are at this ACV diet, consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetable and take plenty of fluids. Also try to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily and see results in a month’s time!
Apple cider vinegar is manufactured in a large scale fashion in industries and you can also make them at home. But in such processes some of the nutrients that can be salvaged are sometimes lost. However organic apple cider vinegar has a lot of these nutrients because they are made in a more guarded process. It is rich in healthy nutrients and not just those that we are usually aware of. This is because they are made from whole apples and not processed or pasteurised apple juice. And that what makes all the difference in their nutrient content and how they finally benefit you.
What can organic apple cider vinegar help you with?
Immunity is the forte of this kind of vinegar. Made from natural sources, there is a lot of vitamin C in this vinegar and helps boost your immunity like nothing else. One table spoon diluted with a quarter glass of water can be taken as a tonic when you are down with the cold or the flu. It is recommended for little children also.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Symptoms of urinary tract infections can also be alleviated with apple cider vinegar. Mix two tablespoons in half a glass of water and sip it throughout the day. It will give you relief from the burring or stinging sensation. It also treats acne, acid reflux and constipation. ACV is used for a variety of things and especially the organic variety gives you access to a lot of nutrients. Braggs organic raw apple cider vinegar is a market leader. It is unfiltered and gives you the nutrients in an as is form. There is no dilution or use of any processed ingredients.
Apple cider vinegar also helps with weight loss. It is a natural appetite suppressant and boosts your metabolism too. It helps with the release of iron from foods in your body. And iron has an affinity for haemoglobin and hence it makes you use more energy. Also ACV prevents bloating in the body and helps keep the weight off. However you should not but ingest for prolonged period of time. Take your doctor into confidence and discuss the situation with him or her. They will be able to guide you the best.
Apart from how apple cider vinegar can help you with your body, it can also be used for household cleaning. But yes, even the cheaper version will do. For home cleaning you may not use the organic variety. It is a natural anti- microbial agent and also cuts grease along with deodorizing the place. It can be combined with other cleaning agents as well such as hydrogen peroxides or floor cleaners.
As you can see apple cider vinegar have quite a lot of uses for you and your homes too. But before you start using it either way, read up more on it. You may post queries on online forums too for people to get back to you.