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13+ Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
While the uses for white vinegar are plentiful, apple cider vinegar has arguably even more applications. Its wide-ranging benefits (rivaling the number of uses for tea tree oil and other nifty natural helpers) include everything from curing hiccups to alleviating cold symptoms, and some people have turned to apple cider vinegar to help with health concerns including diabetes, cancer, heart problems, high cholesterol, and weight issues. Read on for more reasons to keep apple cider vinegar handy in your pantry.
Apple cider vinegar helps tummy troubles
For an upset stomach, sip some apple cider vinegar mixed with water. If a bacterial infection is at the root of your diarrhea,
apple cider vinegar could help contain the problem, thanks to its
antibiotic properties. What's more, some folk remedy experts contend
that apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which can help soothe
intestinal spasms. Try mixing one or two tablespoons into water, or
clear juice like apple juice.
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Take a teaspoonful of apple cider
vinegar; its sour taste could stop a hiccup in its tracks. One teen took
the hiccup remedy further and created a lollipop
that includes apple cider vinegar, which she says "cancels out the
message to hiccup" by overstimulating the nerves in the throat
responsible for the spasms.
Apple cider vinegar soothes a sore throat
As soon as you feel the prickle of a sore throat,
employ germ-busting apple cider vinegar to help head off the infection
at the pass. Turns out, most germs can't survive in the acidic
environment vinegar creates. Just mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with
1/4 cup warm water and gargle every hour or so.
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Apple cider vinegar could lower cholesterol
More research is needed to definitively link apple cider vinegar and its capability to lower cholesterol in humans, but one 2006 study
found that the acetic acid in the vinegar lowered bad cholesterol in
rats. Also, a Japanese study found that half an ounce of apple cider
vinegar a day lowered cholesterol in people who participated in the
panel.
Apple cider vinegar prevents indigestion
Sip before eating, especially if you
know you're going to indulge in foods that will make you sorry later.
Try this folk remedy: add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon apple cider
vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it 30 minutes before you
dine.
Apple cider vinegar clears a stuffy nose
Next time you're stuffed up from a cold,
grab the apple cider vinegar. It contains potassium, which thins mucus;
and the acetic acid in it prevents germ growth, which could contribute
to nasal congestion. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of
water and drink to help sinus drainage.
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Apple cider vinegar aids in weight loss
Apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight.
Here's why: The acetic acid suppresses your appetite, increases your
metabolism, and reduces water retention. Scientists also theorize that
apple cider vinegar interferes with the body's digestion of starch,
which means fewer calories enter the bloodstream.
Apple cider vinegar gets rid of dandruff
On his website, Dr. Mehmet Oz recommends apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment.
The acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making
it harder for yeast to grow. Mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4
cup water in a spray bottle, and spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in
a towel and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as
usual. Do this twice a week for best results.
Apple cider vinegar clears acne
Apple cider vinegar makes a great natural toner that can act as a natural home remedy for acne
and leave skin looking healthier. Its antibacterial properties help
keep acne under control, and the malic and lactic acids found in apple
cider vinegar soften and exfoliate skin, reduce red spots, and balance
the pH of your skin.
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Apple cider vinegar boosts energy
Exercise and sometimes extreme stress
cause lactic acid to build up in the body, causing fatigue.
Interestingly, the amino acids contained in apple cider vinegar act as
an antidote. What's more, apple cider vinegar contains potassium and
enzymes that may relieve that tired feeling. Next time you're beat, add a
tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a glass of chilled
vegetable drink or to a glass of water to boost your energy.
Apple cider vinegar cuts down on nighttime leg cramps
Leg cramps can often be a sign that
you're low in potassium. Since apple cider vinegar is high in it, one
home remedy suggests mixing 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and one
teaspoon honey to a glass of warm water and drink to relieve nighttime
leg cramps. Of course, by the time you walk to the kitchen to put the
drink together, your cramp is likely to be history—but maybe that's the
point.
Apple cider vinegar banishes bad breath
If proper brushing and mouthwash doesn't do the trick, try the home remedy of using apple cider vinegar to control bad breath. Gargle with it, or drink a teaspoon (diluted with water if you prefer) to kill odor-causing bacteria.
Apple cider vinegar whitens teeth
Gargle with apple cider vinegar in the morning. The vinegar helps remove stains, whiten teeth,
and kill bacteria in your mouth and gums. Brush as usual after you
gargle. You can also brush your teeth with baking soda once a week to
help remove stains and whiten your teeth; use it just as you would
toothpaste. You can also use salt as an alternative toothpaste. If your
gums start to feel raw, switch to brushing with salt every other day.
Apple cider vinegar fades bruises
Apple cider vinegar has
anti-inflammatory properties; dabbing or laying an apple cider vinegar
compress on a bruise can help fade the discoloration.
Apple cider vinegar helps control blood sugar
A few swigs of apple cider vinegar could help keep your blood sugar levels balanced, according to several studies that have shown a link between the two. One study
of people with type 2 diabetes who weren't taking insulin found that
taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed resulted in
lower glucose levels by morning. Another study
at the Arizona State University found that insulin resistant people who
drank a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water before eating a high
carbohydrate meal had lower blood sugar afterward.
Scientists think the antiglycemic effect of the acid is the key.
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