Historical records show that apple juice has been fermented into vinegar since before 5000 BC. Through the ages, apple cider vinegar has been used to stimulate circulation, aid in the detoxification of the liver, to purify blood, cleanse lymph nodes, and improve immune system response. In fact, Hippocrates often prescribed it for coughs and colds, when mixed with a touch of honey.
The more apple cider vinegar (ACV) is studied, the more miraculous it seems. From speeding wound healing to disinfecting, its uses are seemingly limitless.
Organic, raw, unfiltered ACV is a mild acid. When ingested, it triggers metabolic functions that regulate the body’s pH balance to make it more alkaline.
The optimal pH balance for the human body is slightly alkaline; too acidic or too alkaline and we become an open door to disease and infection. Topically, ACV naturally kills bacteria on contact, so drinking ACV can greatly improve immunity.
Antibacterial nature makes ACV a potent remedy for a sore throat. If we combine it with ginger and honey, we get the benefits of powerful anti-inflammatory remedy.
ACV combined with cayenne pepper which contains capsaicin, serves as an anti-inflammatory anesthetic.
Vinegars of different varieties have shown anti-tumor activity. While not fully understood, acetic acid retards cancer cell growth and proliferation, possibly due its anti-inflammatory capacities. Our bodies are engaged in a never-ending process to turn food into fuel and nourishment, and purge waste. Vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in ACV nourish the body while its acids support liver function and bind to toxins, easing their elimination. In addition, ACV loosens mucus and stimulates the lymphatic system to expel pathogens and speed up the healing process.
An excellent fat burner, apple cider vinegar helps whittle away excess weight and revs up the metabolism. ACV’s acetic acid inhibits the storage of body fat and stimulates genes designed to regulate liver fats by acting on the metabolism of certain proteins therefore, it reduces body weight and body mass index.
Apple cider vinegar contains potassium, which helps transfer nutrients to the cells and give toxic waste substances the boot. The beta carotene found in ACV also helps cleanse the body by getting rid of free radicals, those unstable molecules that can damage fat, protein, and even our DNA.
In a spoonful of cider vinegar, you'll also find pectin, a fiber that "scrapes" the cholesterol off blood vessel walls. Acetic acid has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and stimulate bile production, which is the key to the metabolization of fats.
ACV is also full of enzymes and amino acids that assist in the development of healthy protein in the body.
Due to the fact that ACV is fermented, it is a natural probiotic. An overabundance of unfriendly bacteria leads to imbalances and immune response. An inappropriate immune response that persists over time leads to inflammation, the genesis of most disease. The maintenance of proper probiotic levels is very important towards overall health, as the gut influences every part of our bodies—including the chemistry of the brain.
Believe it or not, research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help reduce the effect of allergies on the body, mostly by reducing mucous and sinus congestion.
A sign of a distressed immune system is an increase and thickening of mucous; apple cider vinegar can help reduce the build-up and congestion, thereby reducing susceptibility to allergies. Boosting the immune system can also curb bouts of the flu.
ACV can help to clear acne, dermatitis, warts, and other skin conditions.
ACV is rich in natural enzymes that can help rid the body of candida – a genus of yeasts which can cause thrush in humans and is blamed for creating symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings, and yeast infections.
More than one in four women in America over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. To get this diagnosis means that they’ve lost 50 to 75 percent of the original bone material from their skeleton. Obviously, preventing this disease before it ravages the bones is key, and as ACV aids in the nutrient absorption of calcium, an essential mineral for preventing osteoporosis, it’s one of the best tools we can use to reduce the risk. By drinking it along with each meal, it will help to ensure proper calcium absorption to strengthen your bones. Regular use of apple cider vinegar can be tied to a decrease in joint pain and gout by reducing inflammation. The malic acid in the vinegar is able to dissolve the uric acid crystals within the joint and assist in flushing them from the body.
Medical research has proven that the acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar can balance blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity and insulin responses.
NOTE: Keep in mind that you should never drink apple cider vinegar straight as it can burn your esophagus. Instead, mix one tablespoon with 8 ounces of water. If you don’t like the taste, use a straw to minimize contact with your taste buds. Adding a bit of raw honey can help too.
