Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits

Apple cider vinegar is known as the most popular type of vinegar in science, in the natural health community and in your kitchen too. Its history goes a long way back to the times when it was used as a natural medicine and in cooking and continued its popularity for a thousand years till today too. So what is it that makes Apple cider vinegar so special? Well, it is claimed to have many significant health benefits as well as some great other uses too. From being used as a health tonic in ancient times, it is still a remedy for many purposes and much more. this apple vinegar might sound an ordinary food item like any other but truly you are going to be amazed to know what powers this product actually has!

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar, as the name suggests, is made out of apples. This is the liquid produced by the fermentation of the sugars in apples. The fermentation is done by adding certain yeast or bacteria to the sugars which then convert into alcohol and then finally into acetic acid or the vinegar. This acetic acid gives vinegar its strong smell and taste and is the key component in the apple cider vinegar. Besides the acid, the vinegar also contains substances like lactic, malic, citric acids, and other bacteria too.

You may find two types of apple cider vinegar at a store, labeled as filtered (the clear one) or unfiltered. This is because the latter is known to contain something called ‘mother.’ It is believed that all the health remedies and apple cider vinegar benefits lie in this cob-web like substance ‘the mother.’ Apple cider vinegar with mother has all the proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria that give the unfiltered vinegar a cloudy touch. The crystal clear one, on the other hand, is pasteurized to remove the mother and other nutrients too. This vinegar can also be flavored by adding other fruits like raspberries, but the base fruit is always the apple.

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

1) Regulating Blood Sugar Levels

One of the well-studied benefits of apple cider vinegar is its ability to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that this vinegar consumption decreased blood sugar levels by 31% just after eating a white bread. Moreover, an animal study on diabetic rats showed a similar decrease.

Besides that, it is also known to increase insulin sensitivity. Insulin is the body hormone which is responsible for the transport of sugar between the blood and the tissues. High levels of insulin can cause insulin resistance which in turn leads to diabetes. In order to keep your blood sugar levels stable, carefully consume this vinegar along with taking other measures too.

2) Weight loss

There has been a lot of fuss about apple cider vinegar when it comes to weight loss, and that is why apple cider vinegar has been in a lot of limelight with fitness freaks and health experts. This much hype also creates the doubt if it works and to what extent does it play a role in weight loss.

Well, to confirm all these doubts, there has been a lot of research confirming these benefits. Apple cider vinegar is known to help you lose a number of pounds when taken in a routine over a period of time. Studies show that this is because this vinegar helps increase satiety which in turn helps you to avoid intake and amp up weight loss. However, you cannot entirely rely on apple cider vinegar weight loss drink. For rapid and significant results, you need to work on other factors too.

3) Reduces the Cholesterol Level

We all are aware of how high cholesterol, the fat-like substance that can build up in arteries to narrow and harden them, can affect your heart by straining it and forcing it to work harder. Apple cider vinegar can help you here by lowering your cholesterol level. Animal studies and research support this fact, and hence this can promote your good health. 

You can include apple cider vinegar in your daily routine like an apple cider vinegar drink but don’t entirely depend on it, once again we suggest. Do take other measures like minimizing your sugar intake, alter your diet, and make exercise part of your routine too for better results.

4) Apple cider vinegar benefits for Skin

Besides your internal health, apple cider vinegar benefits for skin are very well known too. Apple cider vinegar cures and treats your acne and reduces scarring, certain bacteria can often cause the acne, and this vinegar with all its antibacterial properties effectively helps to fight off these harm causers. 

Moreover, since this vinegar contains acidic components, it also helps inhibit the growth of the acne responsible bacteria.

5) Reduced Blood pressure

High blood pressure is another major reason for heart diseases because it strains the heart along with weakening its muscles over time. Apple cider vinegar benefits you in this condition by lowering your blood pressure and keeping your heart strong. Studies suggest how this vinegar helped in blocking the enzymes which are responsible for raising the blood pressure.

6) Boosting Gut Health

The bacteria in apple cider vinegar can not only deal with acne, but it also enhances your digestive system by increasing your immunity and improving your gut’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients. Just add it into your routine diet and wait for the beneficial bacteria to make you healthy.

7) Smoothing Sunburns

Besides all other skin benefits of apple cider vinegar, one is also soothing it when you are traumatized by the sun: yes the sunburns. Apple cider is a great natural remedy for soothing your burnt and dry skin. Just mix it with some oils and essentials and add it to your bath. Soak in that and feel that relief!

8) Anti-fungal property

When it comes to fighting bacteria as well as fungal infections, apple cider vinegar cures are quite popular. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, yeast infections, or jock itch can easily be treated by this vinegar. When combined with another similar ingredient, you can gain relief even sooner!

9) Healing Poison Ivy

One of apple cider vinegar’s amazing properties is that it is a great remedy for soothing the itchy poison ivy rash. Because it contains potassium, this vinegar can reduce any kind of ivy associated swellings.  Enjoy this apple cider vinegar benefit by applying as you want until you are healed.

10) De-bugging

Sounds funny yet another benefit of apple cider vinegar is that it can kill bugs and fleas. So if your dog or cat can’t just stop scratching themselves, don’t run to the store for some flea killing chemicals, use this natural remedy as a bug spray to get rid of these minors. You can also use this on your skin for similar purposes.

11) Maintaining your pH

Although apple cider vinegar is acidic because of the presence of its primary component acetic acid, it produces an alkalizing effect on your body. Just a few tablespoons of this vinegar a day can help balance your pH levels and optimize your health.

Any potential Apple cider Vinegar risks?

As mentioned already, apple cider vinegar has always been acting as a traditional remedy and not as an official medicine, and that is why there are no official instructions too on how to use it. While there is not a lot of information available about the effects of using this vinegar for a long time or consuming it in large amounts, there are certain known risks of using apple cider vinegar.

  • It is recommended to avoid apple cider vinegar if one is on any diuretic medication or taking any water pills. This is because the lowering of blood sugars can be risky for a diabetes patient, including those who use insulin. Besides that, it can also lower the potassium levels of the body.
  • For the patients of gastro paresis or those suffering from delayed gastric emptying where food movement between the stomach and small intestine is delayed, apple cider vinegar is fatal and can make symptoms worse for them.
  • It is also known that acidic drinks like apple cider vinegar can damage your tooth enamel. That is why it is always recommended to dilute apple cider vinegar appropriately when consuming it and never try it otherwise. Also, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with fresh water always after consuming the vinegar.
  • Whatever the risk, always visit your doctor if there is any concern.

How to use Apple Cider Vinegar?

This vinegar is used in many ways in our diets as well as in the rest of our activities too so for the question ‘how to use apple cider vinegar,’ let us tell you. It can be used in cooking, baking, salads, as preservatives, in drinks, etc. Here are some interesting ideas about using apple cider vinegar:

1) Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

You can easily make this vinegar part of your daily lives through drinking apple cider vinegar daily. Just mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water just before bedtime and always dilute it enough according to what suits you before drinking this apple cider vinegar drink. The vinegar’s acidic nature can be a bit harsh for you if not taken carefully.

2) Salt alternative

If you are trying to avoid sodium intake, then this may be your best chance. But the question is how to use apple cider vinegar here? Well, use apple cider vinegar instead of the salt wherever it is needed in your meals and enjoy the flavor!

3) The salad dresser

Apple cider vinegar can be a very good option for your Saturday night’s salad seasoning. Just mix it with some other goodies like honey, lemon, olive oil and serve over crispy salad leaves.

4) Steam facial treatment

Facial steaming aims to clear your skin of all the impurities and opens your pores. However, now you can up your facial game with apple cider. Just add two teaspoons of the vinegar into a bowl of hot and boiling water. Now cover your face with a towel while you sit over to steam up for about 15 minutes. After you are done, wash your face with a splash of cold water and then dry your skin. Tada!

5) Skin glower: toner & cleanser

Apple cider vinegar is not just limited to steam facials, but it has awesome properties to act as your face cleanser and toner too. This all-natural alternative can help you avoid all the chemical in usual skincare products. You need to wipe your face with a mixture containing equal amounts of water and vinegar after rinsing your face with water. However, do test your skin with a bit before to avoid any skin irritations.

6) Hair cleanser

Another apple cider vinegar benefit is that it can make your hair shinier and smoother. This can soothe your itchy scalp and thirsty hair very easily. Just mix this vinegar and water in equal amounts and store in a bottle. Just spray it over your hair, followed by rinsing with water after washing them as usual and enjoy your soft hair.

7) Foot soak

Why go to a salon when you can enjoy a home spa treatment. If you are tired of cracked heels, foot odor, fungal infections, etc. apple cider vinegar cures all of it. Just soak your feet in unfiltered vinegar and enjoy the results.

Conclusion

So do you think now we have a case for apple cider vinegar being magical? Making apple cider vinegar part of our daily lives can make a lot of difference for us. Apple cider vinegar might have sounded very insignificant before but now that you know all this, why don’t you get on with benefiting from it too? So either it is you enjoying your apple cider vinegar spa treatment or weight loss, or it is you taking care of yourself by lowering your blood pressures, cholesterol, sugar level, just enjoy!

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