Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

When it comes to remedies, I'm always up to try what they say works best. I used to always hear my grandmother talk about "back in the day when there wasn't all this medicine mess, we used to have to take what we had around the house". Well, if you ask me, remedies have been around for a long time for a certain reason. . . . Obviously they work! I'm all about some natural! So that brings me to my blog topic of the day- The Benefits of using Apple Cider Vinegar.

　
While vinegar can be made from all sorts of things -- like many fruits, vegetables, and grains -- apple cider vinegar comes from pulverized apples. In recent years, apple cider vinegar has been singled out as an especially helpful health tonic. While many of the folk medicine uses of vinegar are unproven (or were disproved), a few do have medical research backing them up. Only use raw organic Apple Cider Vinegar, it is considered the ‘mother’ of the vinegar. The ‘mother’ is made up of strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules with living nutrients and bacteria that are beneficial. Clear vinegar has none of the benefits of raw organic apple cider vinegar. Through its processing and distilling, it’s been stripped of everything beneficial and can be detrimental to your health since it is dead instead of alive. Remember, the mother of vinegar will settle at the bottom of the bottle between uses and you want the healthy ingredients it contains. Be sure to shake the bottle well before pouring. Be sure to dilute ACV before applying it to your skin or drinking. It is very acidic and can damage the tooth enamel and the tissues of your throat, mouth or skin. A good ratio is 1 tablespoon per 32 ounces of water for general use. Many people recommend adding a splash of fruit juice, honey or Stevia to the ACV + water mixture to help make it more palatable. Raw honey or organic agave nectar is a great addition that tastes great, can help improve your energy, strengthen your immune system, and much more. You can also find apple cider vinegar in tablet or capsule form. However, I do not recommend those sources because they are dried and not alive like the liquid. Bragg is the recommended brand:

　
So what are the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar? To name just a few:

• Rich in potassium, a mineral that is often times lacking in adult diets. This mineral is key for growth, building muscles, transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity etc. It also helps to prevent brittle teeth, hair loss and runny noses.
• Rich in acetic acid. This acid is said to slow the digestion of starch which can help to lower the rise in glucose that commonly occurs after meals.
• Rich in ash which gives ACV its alkaline property. This aids your body in maintaining proper pH levels for a healthy alkaline state. (It is particularly important if you drink a lot of coffee or wine.)  
• Rich in malic acid which gives ACV its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
• May help improve bowel irregularity and helps to remove toxins from the body at a faster rate.
• It can help clear up skin conditions and blemishes. It will give a more smooth texture and appearance to the skin.
• Helps with weight loss by breaking down fats so that your body can use them rather than store them. White vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full. A 2005 study of 12 
  
   people found that those who ate a piece of bread along with small amounts of white vinegar felt fuller and more satisfied than those who just ate the bread.
• Exercise and sometimes extreme stress cause lactic acid to build up in the body, causing fatigue. Interestingly, the amino acids contained in apple cider vinegar act as an antidote. Next time you're feeling beat, add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a glass of chilled vegetable drink or to a glass of water.
• Gargle with apple cider vinegar in the morning. The vinegar helps remove stains, whiten teeth, and kill bacteria in your mouth and gums. Brush as usual after you gargle. Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week. This will help remove stains and whiten your teeth. Use it just as you would toothpaste. You can also use salt as an alternative toothpaste. If your gums start to feel raw, switch to brushing with salt every other day.
• Apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which can help soothe intestinal spasms.
• To help stop hiccups, take a teaspoonful of vinegar. Its sour taste could stop them in their tracks.
• Apple Cider Vinegar prevents indigestion. Sip this before eating. If you know you're going to indulge in foods that will make you sorry later, try this folk remedy first. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it 30 minutes before you dine.
• If you suffer from leg cramps, add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and a little honey to a glass of water and drink to ease cramps. 
• Apple cider vinegar clears a stuffy nose.

Apple cider vinegar soothes a sore throat. Most germs can't survive in the acidic environment vinegar creates. Just mix ¼ cup apple cider vinegar with ¼ cup warm water and gargle every hour or so

So there you go! All the wonderful benefits of Vinegar. How many do you think you will benefit from??