Created through the fermentation of apples, apple cider vinegar is a staple in kitchens and beauty cabinets around the world. With a long history of use as a home remedy, there are many ways that you can use apple cider vinegar, but do you know why it is so popular? Apple cider vinegar contains enzymes, antioxidants, and pre-and-probiotics. However not all apple cider vinegar is made the same. When choosing an apple cider vinegar, make sure you choose one with the ‘mother’ intact. With a murky appearance, and often found at the bottom of the bottle, it is the ‘mother’ that contains raw enzymes and gut-friendly bacteria and makes apple cider vinegar a rich source of many health benefits. Here are some of our favourite ways to use this versatile vinegar. How do you use yours?
1. Weight management
Apple cider vinegar can aid digestion, help increase the feeling of fullness and support weight management. Adding a tablespoon or two into a meal (as a vinaigrette) or taking 1-2 teaspoons with water 15 minutes before a meal, helps to promote saliva. In this way, your digestive processes get a kick-start from the earliest stage – in your mouth. Apple cider vinegar also helps to stimulate stomach acid which assists the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients. It also helps to support balanced blood sugar levels and metabolism, helping you to stay fuller for longer by balancing your energy levels throughout the day.
2. Supports heart health
Several studies have shown that apple cider vinegar support heart health, healthy blood lipid levels, and blood pressure. Because it is packed with antioxidants, studies show that apple cider vinegar may preventing LDL from oxidising, while supporting HDL.
3. A beauty necessity
Apple cider vinegar should be a staple in your beauty cabinet because it has so many uses. Make your own hair rinse by mixing equal parts of apple cider vinegar with water and massage into your scalp before shampooing. Naturally anti-fungal, apple cider vinegar helps to combat dandruff, removes residual product and oil, and balances the pH levels to protect the scalp. Another popular use of apple cider vinegar is as a skin toner. To minimise open pores, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with two cups of water and pat over skin with a cotton ball. The naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acids will help to tighten pores, stimulate circulation and ward off any bacteria on the skin.
4. Natural disinfectant
Thousands of years ago, Hippocrates used apple cider vinegar to clean wounds due to its natural disinfectant properties. But have you ever considered using apple cider vinegar to clean your home? It’s an excellent, inexpensive, and non-toxic cleaning alternative. The active ingredient, acetic acid, effectively removes dirt and bacteria. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water to clean most kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Pour half a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of apple cider vinegar down bathroom drains, leave for a few minutes, then follow with a cup of hot water to keep your drain fresh and clean. Apple cider vinegar can also be added to the bottom of your dishwasher before running, to help clean and deodorise the machine.
5. For gut and immune health
Because apple cider vinegar can support your levels of stomach acid, which helps to break down food, it is commonly used to help minor digestive complaints such as bloating and flatulence. Anti-bacterial in nature, apple cider vinegar is a wonderful assistant to your immune system. 70-80% of the immune system is found in your gut. A great way to support your immune system all year round, but especially during the winter months, is to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your cooking. When making homemade bone broth, add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. This will help extract minerals and amino acids for an extra nutrient boost!
Try this easy mayonnaise recipe, using apple cider vinegar, to make your next tuna-mayo salad, a delicious, nutritious treat:
Home-made Mayonnaise
- 4 eggs yolks (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of mustard
- 2/3 cups of extra virgin olive oil
- 2/3 cups of coconut oil (melted)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Step 1: Whisk or blend egg yolks in a bowl until smooth
- Step 2: Add apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper and whisk
- Step 3: Continue to whisk, and slowly add in olive oil then coconut oil (start with a drop at a time until oil emulsifies then continue to add).
- Step 4: Fill into a tight container, store in the fridge for up to a week and enjoy!
The strong taste may not be for everyone, but there is a reason apple cider vinegar is the most popular vinegar in the natural health community. Whether you are game enough to drink it straight, in a glass of warm water, or incorporate it into your meals, apple cider vinegar hosts numerous health benefits and making it a part of your daily lifestyle can help you and your family have better health.
FAQs
What are the potential health benefits of consuming apple cider vinegar?
The potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar include supporting digestion, weight management, and blood sugar balance. Some people also use it to support skin health and as a natural support for certain conditions, although scientific evidence is limited in some cases.
How can apple cider vinegar be incorporated into one’s diet?
Apple cider vinegar can be incorporated into one’s diet by diluting it with water, drinking it as a beverage, using it as a salad dressing, or adding a small amount to recipes for a tangy flavour. It can also be mixed with honey or used as a marinade for meats and vegetables to enhance the taste and potential health benefits.
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