What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
For many years, we have depended so much on modern medicine when it comes to our health. In the past, traditional medicine has mainly depended on organic products to help remedy any sickness.
When these traditional methods have been rediscovered again, it has taken the health community by a storm. Although modern medicine is still helpful in some ways, people have now turned to herbal or organic ingredients to help treat their illnesses.
One of the many organic but commonly disregarded household ingredient is Apple Cider Vinegar. Ever since its recent emergence and the scientific studies that back up its benefits, it has become a popular health ingredient for many. It was once an ancient folk remedy widely used as a treatment for ailments and used as a cooking ingredient.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a type of natural vinegar composed of sugar, apples, and yeast. The process of making apple cider vinegar is squeezing out the juices of apples after which the yeast and bacteria are added to the mixture. The liquid would then be left to ferment after the sugar of apples have turned into alcohol. Once this is done, the second fermentation begins by turning the alcohol into vinegar using acetic acid and malic acid which also gives it its pungent smell and sour taste.
Scientific studies have also claimed that consuming apple cider vinegar regularly brings a lot of health benefits ranging from treating cold or flu, lowers risk of diabetes and cholesterol and many more. Here is a list of eight ways apple cider vinegar is good for your health.
Good things that happen to your body when you take apple cider vinegar and how to use it:
- It helps with speeding up weight loss
There are plenty of scientific studies supporting evidence that this type of vinegar can help reduce belly fats and shedding excess pounds. This is because acetic acid in vinegar helps in suppressing cravings and appetite, making you feel sated longer and increase metabolism. There are also scientific theories that apple cider vinegar inhibit the body’s starch digestion, therefore allowing lesser calories to enter the body. Many people in the fitness and dieting world have been incorporating apple cider vinegar into their weight loss program because of the positive results.
- It helps in easing stomach problems and digestive health
When it comes to tummy problems, apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective remedies to help fix it. This is because the contents in the vinegar help stimulate the juices in our digestive system that breaks down the food we eat. Ailments like bloating, gas, heartburn and indigestion can be relieved by consuming a teaspoon of this vinegar with a glass of water. Moreover, the healthy acids present in the vinegar like acetic, lactic, isobutyric and propionic acids regulates the growth of harmful bacteria inside the stomach as well as the entire body.
- It helps in getting rid of bad breath and whitening teeth
When you use apple cider vinegar as gargle every morning, the vinegar will help eliminate bad breath, remove stains, as well as destroy the bacteria around the gums and mouth.
How to use:
In a cup of water, just combine two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water and rinse it around your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds before spitting it out.
When you consume a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, it can also balance blood sugar levels. Many studies have shown that taking apple cider vinegar works better than taking insulin for diabetic patients. It is because of the antiglycemic content in apple cider vinegar that maintains healthy blood sugar levels, therefore, reducing the risk of diabetes.
How to use:
It is recommended that at least two tablespoons of apple cider taken before bed can lower the production of glucose in the body.
- It helps in clearing acne and keeping skin healthy
Apple cider has been an age-old natural remedy to help make the skin look healthier as well as clearing acne. This is because of the antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar that helps in controlling acne outbreaks. The lactic and malic acids also help in exfoliating and cleansing the skin making it look cleaner and healthier.
How to use:
Make a toner using water and apple cider vinegar and place, dab onto a cotton ball and rub gently onto the skin until it is clean every morning and evening.
- It helps in getting rid of flaky scalp and dandruff
For people who are suffering from flaky scalp and dandruff, using apple cider vinegar can help eliminate the problem. This is because of the acidity of the vinegar which neutralizes the pH level of the scalp which makes it difficult for bad yeast to thrive.
How to use:
Simply combine ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with ¼ cup of water and put into a spray bottle. Spray over your scalp until damp and wrap a towel around your head to let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Remove the towel and wash your hair normally. Best results would be to do this two times daily.
- It helps in lowering bad cholesterol and boosts healthy heart
Consuming apple cider vinegar daily can also lower the risk of certain heart diseases. This is due to the acetic acid found in the vinegar. Recent studies have also shown that drinking apple cider vinegar can lower the rate of bad cholesterol in the body.
When you’re feeling symptoms of cold or flu, taking apple cider vinegar is a powerful remedy. This is because of the potassium contained in apple cider vinegar which helps in thinning mucus, acetic acid which slows or prevents the growth of bad bacteria causing congestion.
How to use:
In a cup of lukewarm water, just mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and drink to help drain sinus and clear a runny nose.
These are just some of the benefits that apple cider vinegar provides to your health when you consume it. There are plenty more, but it matters for you to start using it even if you’re healthy. It’s easy to purchase this at the store or market. If you purchase online, here are some high-rated recommendations:
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