Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) falls right in line with garlic as being one of the most talked-about natural remedies in folk medicine.
Traditional uses of ACV are vast. To name just a few: it has been used to ease digestion, aid in flu prevention, reduce inflammation, regulate pH balance, alleviate allergy symptoms, ease nausea and heartburn, as a staple in detox regimens, and to treat a number of skin conditions, including reducing acne and smoothing wrinkles.
What Do We Know About Raw, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar?
Raw, organic ACV is made from sweet varieties of organic apples. These apples undergo a double fermentation process, which produces enzymes and creates many of the vinegar’s health promoting characteristics. As sugar in the apples is broken down, the first ferment yields what we know as “hard” cider, or alcoholic cider. The second fermentation brings forth ACV.
Organic ACV is unpasteurized and contains what is known as the “mother of vinegar”, which is a cobweb-looking solid floating in it, making the vinegar appear somewhat cloudy. Also known as Mycoderma aceti, mother of vinegar is created when acetic acid bacteria and a type of cellulose develop during the fermentation process. Mother of vinegar contains health-promoting characteristics such as live nutrients and friendly bacteria, and lets you know that the vinegar is unpasteurized. Most vinegar manufacturers nowadays pasteurize the vinegar before it hits the shelves, to get rid of the mother of vinegar, and in turn, a lot of the nutrients that the vinegar offers.
When choosing an ACV, make sure to select one that is raw, organic and unpasteurized, as the pasteurization process can destroy many of the health benefits.
Beneficial Properties
Some of the beneficial properties contained within the mother of vinegar include:
* Potassium: Essential for healthy metabolism, as well as water and chemical balance in the body.
* Iron: Important for blood health.
* Magnesium: Vital to heart health.
* Enzymes: Boost chemical reactions in the body.
* Malic acid: Protects vinegar from viruses, bacteria and fungus.
* Acetic acid: Slows the digestion of starch and inhibits bacterial growth.
* Calcium: Builds strong bones and teeth.
* Pectin: Helps regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.
* Ash: Maintains a healthy alkaline state in the body.
* Other Minerals, Trace Elements and Vitamins: Copper, Phosphorus , Pro-vitamin beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin 81, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin P.
More Powerhouse Properties
Alkalinity: big reason why ACV is so effective for so many conditions is because it makes the body alkaline, as opposed to acidic. The. more acidic your body is, the better the environment for sickness and disease to take hold. Even though ACV is acidic, it has an alkalinizing impact on body during digestion, unlike other vinegars.
The 3 A’s: ACV contains potent antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help to make it so effective for so many conditions.
Detoxifier : Toxins often accumulate in our bodies, and the malic acid in ACV helps to eliminate these dangerous compounds. By doing so, ACV supports healthy kidney, bladder and liver function.
A Word about Potassium Deficiency
Potassium deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies today due to the typical modern diet that is high in sodium and low in potassium. Sodium is found in high quantities in most processed foods and seasonings used in cooking. Fresh fruits and vegetables are primary source of potassium, unfortunately due to industrialized agriculture , potassium in fruits and vegetables has also been reduced significantly.
Potassium is an electrolyte that helps to maintain blood pressure and electrolyte balance within the body. It also helps to build proteins and break down carbohydrates, while controlling the electrical activity of the heart. Potassium is also known to support proper nerve function throughout the body.
Studies have shown that a diet rich in potassium helps in the prevention of conditions such as heart disease , stroke, hypertension, kidney disease , and osteoporosis. Potassium-rich foods such as ACV helps to counter the adverse effects of excess sodium in the typical diet, thus improving the body’s electrolyte balance and overall well-being.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Exceptional Health
The benefits of living a healthy lifestyle are practically endless. By eating a balanced, nutritious diet, exercising regularly, practicing stress reducing techniques and getting enough rest, you will do much to improve your quality of life, and possibly even increase its longevity.
The natural world is full of the raw materials that we need to be healthy. Adding ACV to an already healthy and clean lifestyle is just one way that you can utilize a simple, natural provision that costs so little for so much benefits.
The following are some little known usages of ACV that you might not have heard of until today:
Nosebleeds
If you are injured or prone to nosebleeds, soak a cotton ball in ACV and lightly pack your nostril. Lean forward for 10 minutes, pressing nostrils together. ACV contains properties that help constrict blood vessels and slow bleeding.
Diarrhoea
Although many things can cause diarrhoea and it is sometimes just a way 1 that the body rids itself of dangerous compounds, it should not be ignored. The pectin in ACV helps to form bulk in the stool, which works against diarrhoea and also works to eliminate the bacteria that causes it. In the intestines, gut flora help to turn pectin into a soothing coating that protects the irritated colon. Mix 2 tablespoons of ACV with 1 tablespoon of raw honey and 8 ounces of water, and sip the mixture throughout the day.
Unclog Drains
Commercial drain cleaners are dangerous and can cause stinging of the eyes, rashes, respiratory damage and other medical conditions. To avoid this, use a mixture of ACV and baking soda. This solution is not only better for your health, but also better for your pipes. To unclog drains, funnel Y2 cup of baking soda into your drain and follow it with 1 cup of ACV. After the foaming stops, flush the drain with hot water and wait five minutes. After this, flush with cold water. If you have a slow running drain, you can pour in Y2 cup of salt followed by cold water. Do this monthly to keep your drains running smoothly.
Bed Wetting
Mix 2 drops of ACV in 6 ounces of water and drink at least one hour before bed. ACV helps to reduce acid levels in the stomach, which often contribute to excessive bed wetting .