Health Benefits & Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic With Mother)

Vinegar has been used for centuries for various disinfectant and antimicrobial purposes. The most widely used vinegar in the natural health world is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). ACV is one of the favorites and most universal when it comes to natural remedies.

Some of the uses of this vinegar are: anti-microbial, anti-fungal, increases immunity and fights cancer, stimulates weight loss, decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke, lowers cholesterol, and maintains blood sugar.

Apple cider vinegar is made in two steps. First, the apples are fermented with yeast. This process turns the natural sugars into alcohol. Then, the alcohol is fermented again, this time with bacteria. This process turns the apple alcohol into acetic acid.

Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. ACV is made up of mostly acetic acid, and is where most of the health benefits come from. Small amounts of other acids found in vinegar are: malic acid and lactic acid.

If you’ve looked into organic apple cider at all, I’m sure you’ve heard of something called the “mother”.

What exactly is the “mother” in organic apple cider vinegar?

Well, the “mother” strands of protein in organic ACV consists of cellulose and acetic acid. These protein strands contain enzymes and beneficial bacteria that give the organic unfiltered vinegar its cloudy and cobweb-like appearance.

Some people believe the health benefits come from the “mother” strands, but there is no specific evidence to support this theory.

Apple cider vinegar is a very low caloric food (3 calories per tablespoon), but is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Some of the nutrients include potassium, magnesium, fiber, amino acids, and antioxidants (cancer fighting).

The taste of vinegar is very off putting for most people. If you keep consistently drinking a small amount everyday, you will most definitely get used to it and be able to reap the benefits of this wonderful vinegar.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

1. ACV Is a Good Anti-microbial and Anti-fungal Agent

Apple cider vinegar has been used to disinfect, preserve food, clear up acne, treat toe fungus, lice, warts, and inner ear infections. Vinegar has been shown to prevent E. Coli bacteria from growing and multiplying in food.

It also prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and fungus in our digestive tract. This is important because 80% of our immune system is in our GI system.

2. ACV Maintains Blood Sugar and Prevents Sugar Spikes

Apple cider vinegar increases the efficiency of insulin in breaking down sugar during a high-carb meal. High blood sugars, if untreated, will lead to serious health problems that effects every single organ of the body.

So pretty much, everyone can benefit from keeping their sugar levels in check.

3. ACV Intake Increases Weight Loss

A study done in Japan  in 2009 showed that subjects who took apple cider vinegar everyday for 12 weeks lost weight. After a daily intake
of 1 tablespoon and 2 tablespoons, subjects lost 2.6 lbs and 3.7 lbs (respectively). Vinegar also increases the sense of satiety after meals for longer periods of time.

4. ACV Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke, While Lowering Cholesterol

Apple cider vinegar lowers triglycerides. Triglycerides causes fatty plaque along your arteries. This buildup can lead to a blockage of blood flow or a sudden rupture, causing a heart attacks or stroke.

Lowering of cholesterol is made possible by pectin, which is found in apples and its vinegar. Pectin is a complex carbohydrate, a soluble fiber.

Pectin has many beneficial health benefits. The way it works on cholesterol is that the LDL (bad cholesterol) binds itself to the pectin, and is then carried out of the body as waste.

5. ACV Fights Against Cancer and Builds Up Our Immune System

Apple cider vinegar is an alkalizing food that restores the alkaline/acid balance of our body. This is important because cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment.

A slightly more alkaline state is less inviting towards cancerous cells. A study done in 2004 showed evidence of vinegar killing cancerous cells and also shrinking the size of tumors.

Check out 20 Best Natural Home Remedies For the Cold, Cough & Flu.

Ways of Enjoying Apple Cider Vinegar

You can drink apple cider vinegar straight, mix it in teas, sprinkle it over food or salads, or apply it topically. For people who cannot stand the taste, there is a less effective pill form.

The recommended dose is 1-2 teaspoons a day. The more your body gets used to vinegar, you can drink up to 1-2 tablespoons a day.

After personally drinking ACV everyday for about 6 months, I’ve noticed less acne on my face, better bowel movements, less bloating, faster metabolism, soothes my sore throats, and decreases odors in my urine.

I drink about 2 teaspoons a day every night. I mix it with raw organic honey (to sweeten), ceylon cinnamon, and a dash of cayenne pepper cayenne pepper, and warm water.

Recommended:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Organic, Raw, Unfiltered

Other Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Helps Heartburn

Acid reflux is actually caused by your stomach not having enough acid. When your stomach doesn’t have enough acid, it churns violently to digest the food with the little acid that it does have.

During this process, the stomach spills content upwards towards the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Apple cider vinegar stimulates the saliva production and causes the stomach to produce adequate amounts of digestive acid. When your heartburn is acting up, drink 1 teaspoon of ACV.

If that’s too strong for you to stomach, try dropping 5-6 drops of ACV onto your tongue.

Check out 18 Best Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn & Acid Reflux Relief.

2. Gets Rid of Bad Breath

Apple cider vinegar gets rid of bad breath due to its anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Mix 2 teaspoons of ACV to a cup of water, gargle.

3.Neutralizes the Smell of Stinky Urine

It can quickly decrease the odor of cat-smelling urine after drinking apple cider vinegar for a few days. You can also add it to your load of laundry to get rid of smells.

4. Gets Rid of Hiccups

Apple cider vinegar soothes the digestive tract by balancing the alkaline and acid properties of the body. Drink a teaspoon straight.

5. Use as a Natural Non-toxic Household Disinfectant

Mix 1:1 ratio of water and apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle. Then add 3-4 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix.

6. Soothes a Sore Throat

Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, 1-2 teaspoon of raw organic honey (honey is also great at soothing sore throats), a dash of ceylon cinnamon (anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory), a dash of cayenne pepper (anti-microbial, regulates blood flow), hot water.

Let it cool down and drink the tea when it’s warm. It’s not good to drink hot liquids when your throat is already inflamed.

Recommended:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Organic, Raw, Unfiltered
• Honey – Pure, Raw, Unfiltered
• Cinnamon (Ceylon) – Organic

7. Use as Salad Dressing

You can add olive oil and apple cider vinegar to your favorite salad.

Recipe for Organic Salad Dressing:

• 1 teaspoons of organic olive oil
• 3 teaspoon of raw ACV
• Add a dash of freshly grounded peppercorns
• Add a dash of sea salt or pink himalayan salt to taste

Recommended:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Organic, Raw, Unfiltered
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Peppercorn Medley – Organic
• Pink Himalayan Salt
• Sea Salt Fine Ground

8. Stops Pets From Biting Cords and Furniture

Rub some apple cider vinegar onto the tempting furniture. Repeat after a few days. ACV is not harmful to your pets. Some people even put ACV onto their pets skin to ward off pesky fleas.

9. Detoxes Your Body

First thing in the morning, drink an apple cider vinegar drink. Gulp down 2 teaspoons of ACV, mixed into some honey, and 1 tall glass of filtered water.

Afterwards, you should expect to have a bowel movement within 30 minutes. Drink once or twice a day, everyday for a healthier body.

Check out How to Detox & Cleanse Your Body Naturally – 4 Best Options.

10. Uses as a Facial Toner

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a facial toner or mixed into face masks. It improve the pH balance of your face and decreases acne.

Depending on how sensitive your skin is, add more or less ACV. Add 1 tablespoon of ACV to 1 cup of warm filtered water. Use this mix to lightly clean your face, with a cotton round.

Check out 6 Best Homemade DIY Face Masks for Acne – Recipes on How to Make.

11. Controls Hunger and Sugary Cravings, While Increasing Your Energy

Before lunch, mix 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into water and drink 10-15 minutes before your meal. This will improve digestion and keep you full for longer.

12. Use It in Your Bath

Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 cup of Epsom Salt, and a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to your bath water.

Check out 4 Best Natural Detox Bath Recipes & Salts.

13. Gets Rid of Dandruff

Mix 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water into a spray bottle. After shampooing your hair, spray this mix onto your scalp and let it sit for about 15 minutes, rinse. Repeat everyday until your dandruff problem goes away.

14. Gets Rid of Foot Odor

Kill fungal infections of the feet with an apple cider vinegar foot bath. Mix 1 cup of ACV into warm water and soak feet for 15-20 minutes.

15. Washes Fruits and Vegetables

Apple cider vinegar removes pesticides and harmful chemicals from your fruits and veggies. Add 2 tablespoons to a bowel of water, then add your fruits and veggies. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes.

Final Word

If you’ve decided to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your daily remedies, congratulations. Make sure your ACV is raw, organic, unfiltered, contains the “mother”, and comes in a glass bottle.

The most reputable brand of ACV is Bragg Apple Cider vinegar, Unfiltered Raw, Organic. ACV will not cure you from all your diseases but it does have great health benefits, without nasty side effects.