The Incredible Healing Powers of Apple Cider Vinegar

The Incredible Healing Powers of Apple Cider Vinegar

If you think apple cider vinegar is only good for adding tart flavor to salad dressing, then you are missing out on all that the health remedy has to offer. As far back as 400 B.C., Hippocrates (known as the father of modern medicine), would prescribe apple cider vinegar to treat a variety of illnesses. From weight loss to improved insulin levels, apple cider vinegar is a small addition to your daily diet that can make a big change.

Apple cider vinegar is a phenomenal age-old home remedy. It is derived from squeezing out the liquid from crushed apples and then fermenting it with the addition of bacteria and yeast until the sugars turn to alcohol. Its sour taste comes from acetic acid and malic acid. It is most commonly used as a food ingredient in salads, sauces, marinades, chutneys and preservatives. However, its medicinal properties are far more worthy of attention.

Some of the most far-reaching benefits provided by apple cider vinegar -- and to say nothing of its positive effects on beauty -- come from the fact that it has anti-bacterial, anti-septic, antiviral, and ant-fungal properties. This means that any ailment you experience that can be traced from bacteria, a virus or a fungus or due to low pH levels can also be treated with the help of apple cider vinegar, including allergies, acne, joint pain, sore throat, candida, sinus infections, ear infections, rashes, digestion, and stomach ulcers, among many others. As a daily supplement, apple cider vinegar is preventing and treating a host of body woes, and all with one simple, albeit far-sweeping, swig.

A particularly attractive benefit to incorporating apple cider vinegar into your daily routine is the weight loss. According to a 2009 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Japanese researchers found that mice who were supplemented with acetic acid

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alongside their meals developed up to 10 percent less body fat than those who were not, despite consuming the same amount of food. Acetic acid, a main component of apple cider vinegar, has thus been linked to weight loss and maintenance.

The vinegar bears a positive effect on the blood's lipid profile as well as insulin levels, which makes it a great tool for diabetic patients. It has been shown that the vinegar has been able to significantly reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and significantly increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels in rats. Apple cider vinegar improves the serum lipid profile in both normal and diabetic subjects. Researchers from the Department of Nutrition at Arizona State University have further brought some brawn to the diabetes-fighting argument. They say that apple cider vinegar could be beneficial in treating those who suffer from type 2 diabetes. According to the researcher's findings, vinegar improves the insulin sensitivity of people with type 2 diabetes when they consume a high-carbohydrate meal.

Apple cider vinegar has additionally been dubbed a "weapon" by scientists at the A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research. In April 2005, the institute announced that acetic acid effectively kills cancer cells by "starving" them of the energy they need to develop. This makes apple cider vinegar valuable in cancer prevention, and a natural way to do so at that!

But before you head to any random grocery store to pick up your stock of vinegar, it is important to understand the differences between apple cider vinegars on the market. The key is to purchase the most unadulterated brand you can get your hands on. Raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized and organic apple cider vinegar will have the strongest, live enzymatic action and the most potent healthy bacteria, giving you the most bang for your buck. To recognize them on store shelves, unpasteurized versions will contain the "mother of vinegar", a natural cobweb-like sediment floating at the bottom of the bottle. One reliable brand is Bragg, which is inexpensive and long-lasting. Enjoy between one and two tablespoons in a glass of lukewarm water before bed, in the morning or at meal time for best results.

You can also try Thrive Market's apple cider vinegar for free ($14 value)!

Apple Cider Vinegar, the Full Body Healer

Name: Apple cider vinegar

Most Commonly Found: Apple cider vinegar is made from apples, so it is found wherever apples are grown. In the United States, more than 60 percent of all apples are grown in Washington, but apples are grown in more than 30 states. New Zealand is also a major importer of apples worldwide.

Stone Cold Facts: Apple cider vinegar is made from cider or apple must, and it has a brownishgold color. It is often sold as a natural product, unfiltered and unpasteurized with the mother of vinegar present. It is also often diluted with fruit juice or water, or sweetened (usually with honey) for consumption as a health beverage.

What to Heal: Apple cider vinegar truly is practical magic, containing a plethora of healing benefits. Some consume cider vinegar mixed with water, which is said to help stomach problems. It helps treat diarrhea, thanks to its antibiotic properties. Experts say that apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which can help soothe intestinal spasms. It also helps with indigestion and nausea.

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Apple cider vinegar is also said to cure hiccups, sore throats (gargle with it), leg cramps (due to high potassium), bad breath (gargle with it), fade bruises (by dabbing it), and detoxify the body as a whole.

It can whiten teeth and eliminate bacteria and stains in your mouth and gums.

It also helps clear a stuffy nose since it contains potassium, which thins mucus and the acetic acid in it to help prevent bacteria growth, which could contribute to nasal congestion. It helps relieve asthma and allergies.

Apple cider vinegar has been proven to lower cholesterol and helps aid weight-loss, because the acetic acid suppresses your appetite, increases your metabolism, and reduces water retention. It can also balance blood sugar in the body, according to multiple studies.

Dr. Oz also recommends apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment, since the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. For best results, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water in a spray bottle and spritz your hair. Let your hair sit in a towel for 15 minutes to an hour and then wash your hair.

Another beauty tip is that apple cider vinegar can help cure acne and improve the skin's health overall. It makes a great natural toner, making skin look healthier. Its antibacterial properties help keep acne under control, and the malic and lactic acids found in apple cider vinegar soften and exfoliate the skin, reduce red spots, and balance the pH of your skin. In addition, it is a great cure for sunburns. It can also eliminate bacteria on the fingernails and toenails. It kills Athlete's Foot altogether. It reduces inflammation and migraines, as well as get rid of warts, bug bites, and jellyfish sting injuries.

It is also said to help kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing.

Feeling tired? Apple cider vinegar also boosts energy. It counteracts the buildup of lactic acid in the body, which causes fatigue. It also contains potassium and enzymes that can relieve exhaustion.

How to Heal: Mix a tablespoon or two with water to help cleanse and heal the body. Mix it with water and gargle with it to gain the benefits to the teeth, mouth and throat. Again, mix it with water to use on your skin and hair.

Cleaning with apple cider vinegar can help eliminate toxins in the home. Mix it with water and apply it to your pets to help eliminate fleas.

History + Lore: Vinegar's story is almost as old as time, being a truly natural, historic healer. Any alcoholic beverage once exposed to air will turn to vinegar. According to Babylonian records dating around 5,000 BC, it was used as a food and as a preserving agent. Vinegar residues have been found in ancient Egyptian urns traced back to 3,000 BC. China's history of vinegar dates back to 1,200 BC.

During biblical times, it was used to flavor foods, as an energizing drink, as a medicine, and it is mentioned in the Old and New Testament. For example after working hard gleaning barley in the fields, Ruth was invited by Boaz to eat bread and dip it in vinegar. (Ruth 2:14)

In ancient Greece, around 400 BC, Hippocrates prescribed apple cider vinegar with honey for a number of illnesses, including coughs and colds.

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