Get your shots every day! (of apple cider vinegar)
Another simple addition to your self care arsenal is Apple Cider Vinegar.
Drink one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar at a time, one to three times a day, mixed in a small glass of water. It is recommended before meals or in the morning, but I enjoy it whenever I can remember to.
Apple Cider Vinegar at a glance:
- Rich in enzymes & potassium
- Support a healthy immune system
- Help control weight
- Promote digestion & pH balance
- Soothe dry throat
- Remove body toxins
- Maintain healthy skin
- Promote youthful health
- Soothe irritated skin
- Relieve muscle pain post exercise
As reported in the Journal of Food Science
“Functional therapeutic properties of vinegar… include antibacterial activity, blood pressure reduction, antioxidant activity, reduction in the effects of diabetes, prevention of cardiovascular disease, and increased vigor after exercise.”
13 Therapeutic Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar
- Antimicrobial Properties
The organic acids in vinegar pass into cell membranes to kill bacteria. Foods fermented with vinegar have a natural arsenal of antimicrobial organic acids.
- Antioxidant Effects
Antioxidants are a class of molecules that are capable of inhibiting the oxidation of another molecule. Antioxidants play a significant role in your health, as they can control how fast you age by fighting free radicals that result in oxidative stress. Polyphenols and vitamins in many different types of vinegar help ward off oxidative stress due to their potent antioxidant properties.
- Anti-Diabetic Effects
Vinegar is said to be anti-glycemic and has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels making it a good choice for everyone and especially diabetics.
- Cancer fighting
The antioxidant content of vinegar may make it useful against cancer, showing particular promise for reducing cancer risk. It has been found to inhibit the growth of a variety of cancer cells, including colon, lung, breast, bladder, and prostate. In lab studies, it has been shown to inhibit the growth of leukemia cells.
- Weight Loss
Vinegar may help you lose weight, as it appears to have an anti-obesity effect by increasing satiety and reducing the total amount of food consumed. For instance, when volunteers consumed two tablespoons of vinegar daily for four weeks they lost weight, while those who consumed the same amount of fruit juice gained it. I personally think the taste of the AVC is so wicked strong, that it simply makes me lose my appetite.
- Heart Health
As explained in the Journal of Food Science: “Polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, which is present in high levels in apple cider vinegar, could inhibit oxidation of LDLs and improve health by preventing cardiovascular diseases.” It also appears to help lower blood pressure.
- Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Acid reflux typically results from having too little acid in your stomach. You can easily improve the acid content of your stomach by taking one tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water daily.
- Injuries, exercise recovery
“Mother” of vinegar, a cobweb-like amino acid-based substance found in unprocessed, unfiltered vinegar, has antibacterial properties that may help to heal burn injuries. The intake of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) may also help to reduce muscle damage caused by inflammation after exercise.
- Brain Health
It’s been suggested that vinegar consumption might improve cognitive function in humans, and research shows that acetic acid bacteria produce precursors of important building blocks of brain tissues called sphingolipids.
- Increased Nutrient Absorption
Vinegar is high in acetic acid which can increase your body’s absorption of important minerals from the foods you eat. Therefore, it is possible that drinking ACV just before meals might improve your body’s ability to absorb the essential minerals locked in foods. Or, adding vinegar to your salad dressing might help you absorb more nutrients from your leafy greens.
- Balance PH levels
Apple cider vinegar helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level. Research shows that higher acid levels (lower pH level) leads to a lack of energy and higher incidences of infection. Sip some ACV few times a day for a natural boost of energy instead of energy drinks.
- Great for your lymphatic system.
This miracle vinegar helps to break up mucous throughout the body and cleanse the lymph nodes. Research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help with allergies because of its ability to reduce mucous and sinus congestion. When reducing the effects of allergies, it can also help stave off sinus infections and their related symptoms, such as sore throats and headaches.
- Get rid of candida.
This vinegar is rich in natural enzymes that can help rid your body of candida—yeasts that are attributed to thrush in humans. Candida also is blamed for creating symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings, and yeast infections.
Get the one with ‘the floaties’
When purchasing an apple cider vinegar, you want organic, unfiltered, unprocessed apple cider vinegar, which is murky and brown. We use “Braggs with the Mother” brand at home.
When you try to look through it, you will notice a murky hairball-like substance floating in it. This is known as “mother,” and it indicates your vinegar is of good quality. The reason manufacturers distill vinegar is to remove the gnarly appearance that creeps people out. As with many foods, the more processed a food is, the less nutritious, and this holds true for apple cider vinegar.
Cheers to good health,
Kelly Baltuska, DC
