Apple cider vinegar is a popular health tonic that is pushed as a powerhouse for health – and for good reason. The food has been used as a health tonic and miracle cure for all different types of ailments, from ACV, to upset stomach, to acne. So in what ways is apple cider vinegar beneficial to your health?
Conventional vinegar products are made through fermentation and then are filtered. Most store brought vinegar is clear, distilled, and looks nothing like its raw counterpart. Filtering out and/or pasteurizing the vinegar removes or lessens the health benefits it would otherwise hold.
A raw unfiltered vinegar is dark and murky colored, with the ‘mother’ of vinegar suspended in the liquid. ‘Mother’ in vinegar is the bacteria used to create vinegar and give it its sour taste. It is generally filtered out of conventional vinegar products when they are finished, but contains beneficial enzymes and probiotics.
In Western culture for many years, an essential element missing from the diet has been fermented foods. A combination of cooking food, microwaving, pasteurizing, filtering and otherwise “sanitizing” the foods we eat today have removed all the living enzymes from them. This is why apple cider vinegar (ACV) is so useful.
Fermented foods exist in many diverse forms throughout the world, having an essential place in the diets of many cultures. Many chronic diseases can be linked to enzyme deficiency which prevents the body from properly digesting and using the nutrients found in the foods we eat. So consuming more fermented foods is important to fend off these diseases.
The acids and enzymes in apple cider vinegar can have a positive effect on one’s intestinal and digestive health, and also can even be beneficial for the skin when applied topically. The potassium in apple cider vinegar can also help soothe muscles and prevent cramps. Ingesting apple cider vinegar can also have an alkalizing effect on the body, which may be why it has a positive effect as an energy booster.
While apple cider vinegar has been used for a variety of ailments, it can be especially useful for acid reflux. Apple cider vinegar can strengthen the gut, which directly improves immunity to sickness and disease. It can also help diabetics control their blood sugar. A doctor wrote a book in 1958 about using apple cider vinegar to cure arthritis, high blood pressure, asthma, and other conditions.
Though more science-based research is needed to know the full range of effects apple cider vinegar can have on one’s health, the positive effects it has for users as well as its historical use and track record should encourage individuals everywhere to consume ACV daily.
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