Apple cider vinegar has been used for many years as a health tonic drink. It is known to provide many health benefits and also helps for weight loss.
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What is Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is very common in every home. It is a liquid that’s made from fermented, tart apples (using the whole apple, not just the flesh).
It’s because this miracle liquid can be used as first aid to many emergencies. There are many reasons why you should have ACV at home.
It can be used for various reasons such as for detoxification, improves metabolism, and boosts energy. You can also use it to whiten your teeth, conditioning your hair and for cleaning the house.-
Nutrition Facts
- Calories 22
- Sodium 5 mg
- Potassium 73 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0.9 g
- Sugar 0.4 g
Sources include: USDA
Top 20 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (uses and benefits of apple cider vinegar)
Medical researchers revealed that apple cider vinegar can help lower blood pressure, acid reflux, and improve diabetes as well as in weight loss. The powerful healing compounds of ACV including acetic acid, magnesium, potassium, enzymes, and probiotics make it beneficial to one’s health.
The acetic acid content promotes the growth of good bacteria while killing the bad bacteria. It works as a natural antibiotic that’s why apple cider vinegar is beneficial to skin, immunity, and digestion without worrying any side effects.
Likewise, it is also packed with polyphenols that prevent the formation of osteoporosis, cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Here are some of the used and benefits of apple cider vinegar:
- Body detox
Taking unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a lymphatic and liver tonic that helps to cleanse your body. It also stimulates the cardiovascular system, balances the body’s pH, lymphatic drainage, and bowel motility.
- Natural hair conditioner
If you want to give your hair a glow, you can use apple cider vinegar as a natural hair conditioner. All you have to do is to mix 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of organic ACV. Use it after shampooing three times a week to achieve the best results. It will add shine and luster to your hair and makes it soft and smooth.
- Natural remedy for heartburn and acid reflux
Lack of probiotics and enzymes, as well as imbalanced stomach pH, are some of the factors that cause heartburn and acid reflux. The good thing is that apple cider has all of those nutrients. You can make your own tonic drink by mixing 1 tablespoon of ACV to one cup of water. To relieve acid reflux, you can drink the mixture five minutes before meals.
- Whitens the teeth
If you’re embarrassed about your yellowish teeth, worry no more because you can rub the apple cider vinegar on your teeth. The pH content of the ACV removes the stains making your teeth naturally white. Rinse your mouth after a minute to avoid damage to the teeth enamel (1).
- Balances body’s pH
ACV contains acetic acid that is acidic in nature. But, there’s nothing to worry because it gives a more alkaline effect that is beneficial to your body. It balances the pH balance of your body, thus reduces the risks of developing chronic illnesses like cancer (2, 3, 4, 5).
- Boost probiotics and kill Candida
Many people were affected by yeast and candida. This health condition manifests side effects like lack of energy, digestive issues, bad breath, and UTI. ACV can help relieve the condition as it contains probiotics and a certain type of acid that kill off candida while promoting the growth of probiotics. You can take 1 tablespoon of ACV three times a day to remedy candida, but you should refrain from sugar.
- Boosts metabolism and supports weight loss
According to a study, consuming ACV helps to achieve positive results for your weight loss efforts. Apple cider vinegar reduces sugar cravings and facilitates detoxification and eventually stimulates fat loss. Weight loss experts recommend consuming a tablespoon of ACV with a glass of water with empty stomach in the morning. To achieve the best results, do it for forty days.
- Soothe sunburn
To alleviate the discomfort of sunburn, you can use apple cider vinegar. Mix a cup of ACV in a lukewarm bath. Add lavender essential oil and ¼ cup of coconut oil to treat the sunburn. You can also apply directly the ACV on the affected areas. Apply the ACV at night to ensure that you won’t be exposed to the sun after application.
- Natural household cleaner
The pH content and antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar are ideal natural household cleaner. All you have to do is to mix 50% of ACV with 50% of water. You can spray the mixture in windows and counters.
If the drainage is blocked, you can pour ACV on the drainage after sprinkling baking soda. Grease in the kitchen can be removed easily by wiping a cloth with apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Adding a tablespoon of ACV to the mop will eliminate the odor from your house, thus leave a refreshing smell.
- Regulates the blood sugar levels
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that has the ability to regulate the blood sugar levels. You can add the ACV to salads and pasta so that you can enjoy its benefits. Medical research had proved that ACV can improve both the insulin responses and sensitivity (6, 7, 8, 9).
- Skin toner
Acne breakout is very common to most teenage girls due to hormonal changes and environmental factors (10, 11). The pH content of the apple cider vinegar can cleanse the pores and make them shrink. Thus, bacteria and dust particles won’t enter the pores and prevent infections. It can also heal eczema and other skin issues. All you have to do is to put ACV on a cotton swab and apply it on the affected areas. Wash it with cold water after 10 minutes. Read more how to use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne.
- Keep allergies away
The acetic acid or ascorbic acid is also known as Vitamin C. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that keeps you away from allergies. It breaks the mucous in your body and clears up the lymphatic drainage. You can add 2 tablespoons of ACV in a large glass of water and drink the mixture three times a day to alleviate allergies. The acetic acid and probiotics will treat the allergy in a day or two.
- Reduces the blood pressure
Anyone who is experiencing hypertension should always keep ACV at hand. A study showed that consuming ACV can lower the triglycerides, thus reduces blood pressure. All you have to do is to take apple cider vinegar either in a glass of water or in your recipe. See how it will lower the cholesterol level and blood pressure.
- Heals skin allergies
Skin allergies like psoriasis and eczema can be cured by ACV. Make a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar and apply it on the area affected by the skin allergy three times daily. The anti-fungal and antibacterial compounds present in apple cider vinegar can help to remedy skin allergies. You can also mix oil or oregano or coconut oil with ACV.
- Repels fleas and ticks from your pets
If you notice that your pets have fleas and ticks, you can make a solution by mixing equal amount of water and ACV. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on your pet’s hair, but make sure to avoid the eyes. You can also soak your pet in an apple cider vinegar solution to solve flea infestation the soonest possible time.
- Natural remedy for varicose veins
If you notice that your varicose veins are bulging, you should consider using apple cider vinegar. All you have to do is to mix ACV with witch hazel and rub the mixture on your bulging veins. The inflammation of the veins will reduce and eventually improves the circulation of blood in the vein walls. You can see improvement within two weeks of applying the mixture on the varicose veins.
- Removes Warts
Warts give a strange and nasty feeling that’s why it’s important to get rid of it. Apple cider vinegar can help you to remove warts (12, 13). Apply ACV on warts and wrap it bandage for about four hours. You will notice that the size of warts had reduced. After two hours, you can repeat the procedure and double the time. Remove the bandage and you will see that wart is removed.
- Natural deodorant
The yeast and bad bacteria can cause body odor. If you sweat a lot, most likely your armpit stay damp making it a favorable breeding place for bad bacteria. To avoid the bad smell, you can mix a little baking soda with apple cider vinegar. Apply the mixture to your armpits and other areas of your body that sweat a lot.
- Weight reduction
Many weight loss experts recommend apple cider vinegar to assist in losing weight. You can mix a tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water and drink it before breakfast on an empty stomach.
- Reduces inflammation and swelling
The potassium content of raw or organic apple cider vinegar reduces inflammation and swelling. That’s why if you suffer from poison ivy you should take ACV to flush out the poison out from your skin and heal poison ivy quickly.
How to Take Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple Cider vinegar is known to provide various health benefits, but do you how to take ACV the right way?
One option is to make a mixture of ACV and fruit juice and drink the tonic before each meal. Mix 2 tbsp. of ACV with 1 cup of grapefruit juice in a glass, stir well. You can use other juice, but avoid using juice cocktails that contain more sugar and those that have a higher content of vitamin C.
Another way to take ACV is adding it to salad dressing. If you can’t tolerate the taste of ACV, you can add it to salad dressing. Add 2 tbsp. of ACV in the dressing along with organic oils. Eating snacks with apple cider vinegar can curb cravings.
You can also take ACV with garcinia cambogia to boost your weight loss effort.
How to Make ACV Taste Better?
In spite of the fact that ACV is loaded with health benefits, it tastes extremely unpleasant. The good thing is that there are some ways to enhance the taste of apple cider vinegar.
- Sweetened: Combining three tsp. of apple cider vinegar and one tbsp. of raw and mix it with two cups of water can make the taste sweet.
- Juiced: Mix the apple cider vinegar with water and grape or apple juice. You can add Stevia and some cinnamon to make a delicious tonic drink.
- Tea: Combine apple cider vinegar, water, honey, and cinnamon. Bring it to boil and drink it as a tea.
- Green smoothie: You won’t identify the taste of ACV if you will mix it when making a green smoothie. You can use whole apple, baby spinach, zucchini, and walnuts in making a green smoothie.
Where To Buy
It’s very easy to find apple cider vinegar as it is available in most groceries and supermarkets. You can also buy ACV from online stores, but make sure to buy from reputable online sellers. We recommend you to buy Braggs apple cider vinegar.
Dietitian with around 5 years of experience in assessing the nutritional needs of patients, counselling individuals, communicating the appropriate nutritional information to other members of the health care team and implementing nutritional care plans by following all the standards.
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