Shocking Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

I am sure you have heard the old adage, “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away,” current research seems to suggest that if that “apple” is in the form of apple cider vinegar, it can do even more for your health!

While modern scientific research is finally providing evidence of the many health benefits of apple cider vinegar, there’s nothing new here. Apple cider vinegar was used as a natural remedy for health problems for a very long period of time. In fact, it’s an ancient remedy.

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made from apples. More specifically, it’s fermented apple juice. To make apple cider vinegar, apples are crushed and exposed to yeast. By doing this, the natural sugar from the apple is fermented over time and turned into alcohol, in the same way grapes are fermented to make wine. But, making apple cider vinegar is not the same as making hard apple cider. The difference is the apple cider vinegar is fermented twice –once to make alcoholic cider and a second time to make it vinegar.

Vinegar has chemicals known as polyphenols. They’re powerful antioxidants that can curb cell damage that can lead to other diseases, such as cancer. Japanese scientists recently found that drinking vinegar can help reduce obesity, and another recent study found that vinegar improved blood sugar and insulin levels in a group of people with type 2 diabetes. In addition drinking apple cider vinegar has been shown to:

• Act as a natural laxative and it can improve digestion
• Lower blood sugar levels
• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Lower cholesterol;
• Lowers blood pressure and improves heart health

Apple cider vinegar is also a nutritional powerhouse. That is probably why it has so many intrinsic health benefits! Let’s take a closer look at apple cider vinegar’s nutritional composition to see what makes it so special.

Apple cider vinegar contains:

• magnesium
• iron
• phosphorus
• manganese
• amino acids
• antioxidants
• is only 3 calories per tablespoon

How to drink apple cider vinegar

While many people do, you don’t really have to drink it. Especially if you don’t like the taste. There are other ways to consume apple cider vinegar.  You can incorporate apple cider vinegar into your diet by:

• Using it in various recipes including salad dressing recipes and marinade recipes.
• Making an apple cider vinegar tonic by mixing apple cider vinegar with lemon juice – 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar added to a glass of fruit juice. Drinking apple cider vinegar is easier this way. You won’t notice the taste as much but you’ll get all the health benefits of apple cider. Plus you get the additional benefits of fruit juice. You can spice it up with a little ground cinnamon or cayenne pepper or sweeten it with a little raw honey.

If you don’t mind the taste of apple cider vinegar, you can add it to a glass of water and drink it. It’s as simple as that. Common dosage per day is 15-30 ml. Basically, 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar – mixed with water or made into a tonic or added to a salad dressing.

Have you or anyone you know used apple cider vinegar for any of the uses described? What were the results? Please reply using the comments below.