An apple a day supposedly keeps the doctor away according to the age old saying, but what about a glass of apple cider vinegar? While apple cider vinegar is most commonly used in cooking, its uses go far beyond the kitchen. From being used as a household cleaner to an acne fighter, apple cider vinegar is now being revered for its many health benefits.
In fact, drinking apple cider vinegar has become so popular that most holistic health practitioners are recommending it, including Dr. Alejandro Junger, a detox professional. Dr. Junger touts apple cider vinegar as a natural home remedy for a variety of health issues such as bloating and digestive stress. Read on to find out about more of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar!
Health Benefits of ACV
Detoxifier
Apple cider vinegar is rich in malic acid, an acid that gives the vinegar antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. The acids found in the vinegar help to detox the body by binding to toxins in the blood and eliminating them from the body effectively. The antibacterial properties of the vinegar also help to keep the digestive tract clear.
Diabetes Help
Apple cider vinegar is said to have a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which has been found to lower blood sugar levels by preventing the complete digestion of complex carbohydrates. The vinegar is thought to inactivate some digestive enzymes that are used to break down carbohydrates into sugar. This slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar after a meal. This process gives the body more time to retrieve sugar from the blood, thus reducing the chances of a blood sugar spike. In fact, a study showed that when participants consumed two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed they woke up with a six percent decrease in blood sugar levels.
Weight Loss Aid
Apple cider vinegar has been touted as a weight loss aid due to its ability to increase satiety. Feeling full and satisfied after a meal is an important part of weight loss. If you are left feeling hungry or unsatisfied you are more likely to snack or binge on unhealthy foods, which will increase your overall calorie intake for the day. A continued yo-yo of this kind will severely derail any weight loss efforts.
Drinking apple cider vinegar mixed with water before a meal helps to keep you full while consuming less food. Apple cider vinegar contains pectin, a type of insoluble fiber. Fiber provides bulk and helps to keep the body more satiated, which makes apple cider vinegar a great aid when it comes to weight loss. While drinking apple cider vinegar is not a magic way to melt off the pounds, it can help to ward off cravings and keep you feeling satisfied, both of which are crucial when trying to lose weight.
Acid Reflux Fighter
Acid reflux is a common issue that in some circumstances can become quite severe. While many people believe that acid reflux is a result of too much acid in the stomach, a lot of times it is in fact the opposite. Drinking one tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar mixed into a cup of water can help to increase the acid in your stomach, which can reduce bouts of acid reflux. As an added bonus the pectin that is found in apple cider vinegar can help to ease intestinal spasms.
Energy Boosting Drink
Apple cider vinegar contains enzymes as well as potassium that can help to chase away fatigue. The amino acids found in apple cider vinegar can also help prevent lactic acid build up, which can further prevent fatigue and soreness. Apple cider vinegar also contains potassium which is a key mineral for growth and building muscles.
What Kind Of Apple Cider Vinegar Should I Buy?
First and foremost, you should only be purchasing raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar if you are looking to obtain any of the health benefits. When purchasing, you should be buying vinegar that contains the “mother” (not unlike kombucha’s mother!). The mother is made up of strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules with living nutrients and bacteria and gives off a spider web like appearance. When shaken, the drink should become cloudy or murky. Clear apple cider vinegar will be void of the mother and thus negate it’s nutritional benefits.
Want to give apple cider vinegar a try? Start off light, with one tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar mixed with one cup of water. The taste of the vinegar will be strong and off-putting at first, but adding a squeeze of raw honey to the drink helps to make it more appetizing. In fact, many have claimed that they actually have found themselves craving the tart drink after just a week of consumption, so don’t give up if you are having difficulties with it! Try adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger as well to alter the flavor a bit more.
So who’s ready to boost their health with apple cider vinegar? If you’ve tried kombucha and loved it, apple cider vinegar might be the next super drink for you!
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