7 Reasons to Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Daily Routine
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Meet Apple Cider Vinegar. Okay, you’ve probably already met. Maybe you love it. Or maybe the smell, the fermented taste, or that weird floating clump of bacteria turned you off… way way off.
Yeah. Apple cider vinegar is no apple juice. (Although that would be an epic prank, so you’re welcome) This fermented biological ecosystem, although funky, is actually so incredibly good for your overall health, it’s worth getting better acquainted.
First off, anyone that says Apple Cider Vinegar is the “just a trend” needs to read some history books. The first written mention of apple cider vinegar being used for medicinal purposes was way back in 2,500 BCE when the nomadic tribe called the Aryans introduced it to the Phoenicians in modern-day Lebanon. The Phoenicians used it for cooking and cleaning, but over time, and across the globe, it’s wonders have been used for just about everything.
Hippocrates, famous Greek physician “father of medicine” used apple cider vinegar to treat wounds, while the Ancient Romans fire and vinegar to break through rocks when conquering the Alps. Japanese Samurai warriors drank the liquid for strength and power, while Ancient Persians used it to reduce fatty tissue on the body. Even Ancient beauty guru Cleopatra got on the bandwagon, using Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner. So why is it so universally and historically famous?
Because apple cider vinegar has all the anti’s you’d ever want. It’s antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-fungal and has antioxidants. This means that ACV, as it’s commonly abbreviated, can cure just about anything that ails you.
Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Cures an Upset Stomach
For centuries, people have been using apple cider vinegar to cure an upset stomach. This natural remedy works thanks to apple cider vinegar’s antimicrobial properties, which kill diarrhea-causing bacteria, like E. coli. To use apple cider vinegar when your stomach is upset, simply mix one to two tablespoons of liquid apple cider vinegar into a glass of water or clear juice, then drink the mixture in full.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Gives You an Energy Boost
Apple cider vinegar might counteract the effects of lactic acid, which builds up in our muscles as a result of stress and exercise. Lactic acid can make us feel sluggish, but the potassium in apple cider vinegar as well as its amino acids can counteract the build up. Just add a tablespoon to your post-workout water to keep your energy levels high.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Could Soothe a Sore Throat
Because apple cider vinegar creates an acidic environment in the body, it can be used to kill infection-causing germs, especially those that create sore throats. In fact, apple cider vinegar has been used for thousands of years in a simple mouthwash for sore throats. Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water, then gargle for about a minute and a half. Just be careful when preparing the mixture, as apple cider vinegar has been shown to cause esophagus damage when consumed without dilution.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Lowers Cholesterol
One study published in the British Journal of Nutrition and a further report in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar lowered cholesterol and blood pressure in rats. However, further study is definitely needed to prove that these same benefits would be seen in humans. Before you attempt to add apple cider vinegar to your diet in order to lower your cholesterol, it’s important to talk to your doctor before adding anything to your daily routine.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Treat Dandruff
The growth of yeast on the scalp is a major cause of dandruff in adults. When applied to the scalp, apple cider vinegar may prevent the growth of this yeast by adjusting the pH level of the scalp. After all, apple cider vinegar is an acid and has a low pH level of about 2. In fact, the Galen Medical Journal suggests that a topical application of apple cider vinegar, water and an herb known as marsh mallow is an effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis. You might want to follow it with a better smelling shampoo however if you don’t want to walk around smelling like a salad.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Reduce Acne
For the past few years, skin care products touting the inclusion of apple cider vinegar have become increasingly popular. While there is very little research about the direct effect apple cider vinegar has on acne, it is known that ACV can kill up to 90% of bacteria. Furthermore, acetic, citric, lactic and succinic acid, which are all present in apple cider vinegar, have been shown to kill P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. Although more research is needed, there is also some anecdotal evidence that apple cider vinegar may fade acne scars.
To use apple cider vinegar on your face, dilute one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water and use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to your recently washed face. Let the solution sit on your skin for 10 seconds and then rinse it off using water. This face rinse can be used once daily.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar Could Help Control Blood Sugar
Among all it’s other amazing benefits, apple cider vinegar has an anti-glycemic effect on the human body, meaning it can actually assist in blood sugar levels! In one study, when patients with type 2 diabetes took two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed, and found their fasting glucose levels were four times lower than those who consumed plain water before bed. It’s also been proven to assist in blocking glucose absorption if drank before eating.
How to add apple cider vinegar to your diet.
To start maximizing your apple cider health benefits, Doctors recommend mixing one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with eight ounces of water and slugging it back once a day before sitting down to eat. *TOP TIP: Mix it with ginger or lime sparkling water for an effervescent cocktail you might learn to love.*
To reap the most benefits, consume the cocktail with your most carbohydrate-rich meal. Insulin and blood-sugar levels typically spike after a carb-heavy meal, but apple cider vinegar help counteract that, boosting satiety and helping weight loss efforts.
