Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits and Uses

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar extracted from apple must or cider. This type of vinegar has pale amber color. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) or cider vinegar is made by squeezing the apples to get the juice. Yeast is then added to it to ferment the liquid and turn it into alcohol. Acetobacter (acetic acid-forming bacteria) is added in the second fermentation process to turn it into vinegar. The acetic acid produces the distinct sour taste and aroma of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also contains lactic, malic and citric acid

Apple Cider Vinegar

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is used as food preservative, salad dressings, chutneys, marinades and vinaigrette, but it is more widely used for its health effects.

Just like any natural remedies, apple cider has various health benefits which include:

1. Anti-obesity

Apple cider vinegar was studied to help in weight reduction. Acetic acid was found out to suppress accumulation of body fat due to regulation of the oxidation of fatty acid in the liver. Apple cider vinegar also prolongs the satiety after eating, preventing food intake even after mealtime. Apple cider is considered to prevent and reduce obesity as seen in obese people who had weight reduction after taking apple cider vinegar for 12 weeks.

2. Anti-diabetes

Research conducted among diabetic patients showed that apple cider vinegar significantly lowered the blood sugar levels of those experiencing hyperglycemia.

3. Anti-cholesterol

Apple cider vinegar has proved to reduce triglyceride levels while increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

4. Blood Pressure Reduction

The acetic acid in apple cider helps in lowering down the blood pressure according to a study published in 2001.

5. Anti-dandruff

Apple cider vinegar promotes healthy scalp due to the action of lactic acid. It also prevents dandruff formation by keeping the scalp hydrated.

6. Anti-acne

Diluted apple cider applied on pimples reduces the redness, inflammation and prevents infection in the area.

7. Health tonic

Proponents of apple cider promote its use for regulating the acid-base balance in the body. Although the mechanism is unknown, it has been shown that apple cider vinegar neutralizes the acidity in the body, despite being an acid.

8. Anti-inflammatory effect

Apple cider has some forms of anti-inflammatory property useful in managing arthritis and rheumatism

9. Anti-gout

Apple cider also enhances the elimination of uric acid, which when gets accumulated, forms gout.

10. Anti-fatigue

Individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome benefits from apple cider vinegar because it enhances the stress relieving hormones.

11. Digestive properties

Apple cider vinegar improves digestion thereby preventing dyspepsia, bloating and abdominal distention

12. Soothing effect

Diluted apple cider vinegar produces a soothing relief on the throat and oral mucosa.

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

The above benefits of apple cider vinegar are responsible for its various uses such as:

13. Weight loss remedy
14. Prevention of high blood sugar level
15. Reduction of cholesterol
16. Regulation of blood pressure
17. Dandruff removal
18. Improving of general well-being
19. Sore throat remedy
20. Heartburn treatment
21. Management of arthritis, rheumatism and gout
22. Treatment for acne and pimples
23. Increase in energy level

Apple Cider Vinegar Side-Effects

Prolonged and excessive intake of apple cider vinegar has proved to produce side-effects such as:

• Hypokalemia or low potassium levels in the blood
• Osteoporosis because of reduction in bone density
• Increase in rennin levels in the body
• Burns and skin irritation because of its highly acidic nature
• Alteration in insulin levels because of its chromium content
• Damaged tooth enamel
• Esophageal, gastric and duodenal irritation
• Allergies due to reactions to apples

Apple cider vinegar should not be used in conjunction with other diseases without a doctor’s advice. Diabetic individuals should consult their physician before taking apple cider vinegar. Use of apple cider as topical remedy should be applied diluted in water because it causes skin irritations and even burns because of its acidity. A recent case involved the occurrence of esophageal burns as a result of apple cider vinegar pill which stayed on the throat.

Where to Buy Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar can be bought in grocery stores, online and health food stores in its usual unpasteurized and unfiltered form (mother of vinegar form). The mother of vinegar form is yellow to brownish in color and consists of sediments at the bottom of the container.

Apple cider vinegar can also be bought in tablet form in health stores. The use of tablet form should be monitored because some manufacturers do not put the correct percentage of apple cider vinegar in tablets. Another research has also indicated that some tablets only contain acetic acid, not necessarily coming from apple cider. Tablets may also lodge in the throat that can cause esophageal irritation or burns.