Apple Cider Vinegar, also known as the ‘miracle drink,’ has been making its way to every shelf in every store. The increasingly popular drink has received considerable popularity as people become aware of its numerous benefits. It can be said that it has officially been rediscovered as it has been in use for centuries, but awareness of its properties and benefits is increasing in today’s age. You will surely hear its name in a conversation related to a healthy lifestyle or natural remedies.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a type of vinegar made through fermented apple juice. Apples are soaked in water with sugar until they ferment. The sugar ferments into alcohol, and the apple cider ferments into vinegar. Once fermented, acetic acid is produced, which is the key ingredient of this drink.
History of Apple Cider Vinegar
This drink is not a recent discovery but was discovered around 400 B.C. by the Greeks and the Romans. The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, prescribed the liquid for various illnesses. It was also used as a medicine in Africa and China. Over time, it became known as a health tonic.
Types of Apple Cider Vinegar
Many of you may not know this, but apple cider vinegar comes in two different types. One of them is filtered, and the other is raw and unfiltered. The filtered type is more of a clear liquid substance. The unfiltered type contains ‘the mother,’ which gives it a misty appearance and signifies that the vinegar is pure and contains natural ingredients. ‘The mother’ is claimed to be the ingredient that is beneficial for health-related concerns.
Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
There are many health benefits that this magic potion contains. It contains nutrients and is also rich in probiotics, enzymes, good bacteria, and acetic acid, which are all considered to have beneficial health results. Apple cider vinegar benefits are practically uncountable as this multipurpose liquid is used for numerous things. It is consumed for its benefits, applied to the body in other concoctions, and used to clean and wash stuff due to its anti-bacterial properties.
Now that you have gone over apple cider vinegar’s benefits for a person’s health, let us look at some of its other uses.
1. Weight Loss
Research shows that apple cider vinegar helps in weight loss as it makes you feel fuller, which leads to consuming less food and ultimately results in a reduction of weight. Combined with a healthy diet and good exercises, apple cider vinegar can help you work wonders in your weight loss journey.
2. Diabetes
This specific vinegar not only helps control diabetes but prevents it as well. If diabetes runs in the family, it would be a good idea to begin consuming apple cider vinegar. Research has proven that it contains anti-hyperglycemic properties that help lower blood sugar levels, and it is also said that it helps improve insulin functions.
3. Prevents Cancer
It is said that cancer cells grow where there is a high level of acidity, and hence, it has been analyzed that by making the blood less acidic, there can be a reduction in the growth of cancer cells. Apple cider vinegar is proven to make the body alkalized, or in other words, it reduces acidity.
4. Digestion
According to research, this liquid can help greatly with stomach issues such as stomach pain. It also helps with digestion. It also aids in detoxifying the body and is a natural germ fighter.
5. Skin Conditions
Apple cider vinegar can also aid in controlling skin conditions such as sunburn and eczema. It is often used to treat acne or control it by killing the bacteria on the skin that could further worsen or increase acne.
6. Use of ACV in Self-care
This multipurpose liquid is used for several self-care purposes. Many women dilute it and use it as a facial toner and an anti-aging serum. It is also used to help clean dentures and has been proven to have mild effects on the mouth than other cleaning agents. It is also said that it could have some good benefits for hair care, such as adding shine to your hair, preventing the growth of fungus and buildup, reducing dandruff.
7. Tooth Whitening Effects
Apple cider vinegar uses include teeth whitening effects. It is said to have bleaching properties that can be used for tooth whitening purposes. However, it can damage tooth enamel, for which reason it should be used in limited quantity and after consultation with a dentist or doctor.
8. Cleaning benefits
Apple cider vinegar has anti-bacterial properties, and it can be used for cleaning purposes. For example, one of the apple cider vinegar uses is to wash fruits and vegetables to remove all sorts of bacteria present. After diluting with water, it can be used at home as a cleaning agent to eliminate germs and bacteria.
9. Use in Home Remedies
ACV is used in many home remedies, such as food preservation, boiling eggs, trapping fruit flies, and preventing fleas in pets.
10. As a Deodorant
Often, people use ACV as deodorant since it is known to kill bacteria and yeast, so it can be proven to kill yeast and remove the foul smell.
11. Good for Sore Throat
Apple cider vinegar provides impressive anti-bacterial properties, making it useful for several skin conditions and even for deep cleaning the kitchen and other household areas. Another significant benefit of the anti-bacterial properties of apple cider vinegar is treating sore throat.
If you mix one part water and one part apple cider vinegar to gargle, it will work wonders for relieving your sore throat. However, as with using any acidic solution, be wary of the quantity of apple cider vinegar in water as gargling with a high acidic solution may burn your throat. So, never consume it undiluted.
12. For Hard Boiled Eggs
Another useful way apple cider vinegar saves your day is by boiling hard-boiled eggs or making the perfect poached eggs. If you add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the boiling water and then boil your eggs, the eggshells will not break. The acid in the apple cider vinegar helps the egg protein shape up quickly.
This property of the apple cider vinegar helps in making perfectly poached eggs.
13. Use in Marinades
Adding apple cider vinegar to meat marinades helps add the much-needed and appreciated sweet and sour flavor to the meat. Many steak recipes use apple cider vinegar to prepare meat marinades.
14. Deep Cleaning Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables that we get from the store or farmer’s market have pesticides all over them. It is a serious concern for the health of the people. This is why washing fruits or vegetables with apple cider vinegar helps eliminate all the harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, and the residues of pesticides.
15. For Gardening
Another benefit of apple cider vinegar is using it to get rid of weeds in your garden. You simply have to make a diluted apple cider vinegar solution and spray on the unwanted weeds. Moreover, adding lemon juice to this diluted solution enhances the spray’s effectiveness.
How to Consume Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar should be consumed in a limited quantity, depending on its use. When consuming, it can be diluted in water, added to a salad, a soup, or added to a fruit juice. The maximum consumption in a day should be limited to 2 tablespoons in a day. Consumption in large amounts could be dangerous, and it should never be taken on an empty stomach.
Side Effects
There are several effects that can occur while consuming apple cider vinegar, such as an allergic reaction, throat infections, low potassium levels, tooth damage, and stomach issues. If you are consuming other drugs, there could be a drug interaction, for which reason a doctor should be consulted before consumption. It has been proven to be effective only when used properly.
Interesting Facts
- Both men and women enjoy drinking it, but women drink half the amount that men do.
- To make one gallon of cider, you need approximately three dozen apples.
- Apple cider with no preservatives is often drunk as apple juice.
Nutritional Facts
One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar contains only three calories. Also, there is 0.7 mg of Sodium present, 10.9 mg of Potassium, 0.1 grams of carbohydrate, and 0.1 grams of sugar.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar has many benefits and uses if appropriately consumed and in moderate amounts. Not only is it used for health and skin benefits, but it is widely used for its anti-bacterial properties. Though it is readily available in stores, many people choose to make a homemade version of it.