Many people quickly classify apple cider vinegar’s medicinal benefits as an “ancient folk remedy.” However, much medical research has been published that demonstrates the effectiveness of ACV in alleviating many health conditions – including obesity, high blood pressure, and others.
Apple cider vinegar is the most popular type of vinegar. As the name implies, cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made from the cider of apples.
More specifically, it is made by crushing apples and squeezing the liquid. Common uses include food preservatives, marinades, vinaigrettes, and chutneys (an Indian side dish).
To manufacture this vinegar, yeast, and bacteria are added to the liquid squeezed from a batch of apples. This initiates the fermentation process, turning the sugars into alcohol. The product then converts into vinegar via healthy acid-forming bacteria. This process gives vinegar its sour taste.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of cider vinegar let’s discuss its benefits.
Editors note: Always mix apple cider vinegar with water, drink water afterward, or take in the form of gummies. Apple cider vinegar taken directly over the course of time may cause irritation.
Here are ten reasons why you need to drink apple cider vinegar every morning:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Lowers blood sugar levels
The most potent use of apple cider vinegar is lowering blood sugar levels. In fact, consuming this type of vinegar may help patients with type 2 diabetes.
In one particular study, consumption lowered blood sugar glucose by 19 to 34 percent when eating a high-carbohydrate meal.
2. Helps you feel full
Research has shown that consuming vinegar can increase feelings of satiety, or fullness. Of course, this makes it possible to consume less food – and less calories.
In turn, prolonged consumption of apple cider vinegar can lead to weight loss. In one study, individuals that consumed ACV ate 200 to 275 less calories over a 24-hour period.
3. Reduces the risk of heart disease
Cardiovascular diseases – e.g. heart disease and stroke – are the leading causes of death globally. ACV might reduce LDL cholesterol, a type of “bad” cholesterol that causes plaque buildup in the arteries.
Chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant in vinegar, prevents the oxidation of cholesterol particles, which explains how the product can reduce the risk of heart disease.
4. Kills unhealthy bacteria
Vinegar’s anti-bacterial properties are the reason why food manufacturers use it as a food preservative. Further, vinegar has also been used for cleaning and disinfecting a variety of ailments – including ear infections, lice, warts, and nail fungus.
Rumor has it that Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician, used vinegar for cleaning wounds over 2,000 years ago. Simply put, ACV is an anti-bacterial agent in a number of different ways.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar Heals a sore throat
Sore throats are a nuisance, but research has shown that ACV may help eradicate the germs that cause it. As a potent germ-killing liquid, vinegar can eliminate the infection that causes a sore throat early in the process.
Simply gargle ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with ¼ cup of warm water when the throat feels itchy and sore.
6. ACV can prevent indigestion
Warding off indigestion is easy by sipping a simple concoction of cider vinegar before eating. To implement this remedy, simply mix one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of warm water. Drink this mixture a half hour before eating.
7. Can clear nasal congestion
Speaking of nuisances, it doesn’t get much worse than nasal congestion. The next time you experience a stuffed-up nose, reach for a bottle of ACV. It turns out that because of apple cider vinegar’s high potassium content, vinegar can thin the mucus that accumulates within the nasal passageways. Simply mix a teaspoon of cider vinegar into a glass of cold water and drink.
8. Can eliminate dandruff
Dr. Oz actually recommends ACV as a dandruff treatment, as the product alters pH levels of the scalp. This chemical interaction makes it more difficult for yeast to grow. As a result, it can eliminate dandruff production. Mix ¼ cup of apple cider with ¼ cup water and spray it onto the scalp. Wrap your head in a towel for 15 minutes to an hour, and then wash. The process should be repeated twice a week for optimal results.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar Can clear up acne
As mentioned, ACV is a potent anti-bacterial. Thus, you can apply it directly to the skin for disinfection. Specific acids, such as malic and lactic acids, aid in exfoliation and softening of the skin, reducing acne’s redness effect while balancing the pH levels of the skin.
