What are the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?
For many people, apple cider vinegar may be something that takes its place in the kitchen next to all the other cooking ingredients. It is simply there to enhance certain dishes and offer the signature tangy flavor. But apple cider benefits consist of much more than its great flavor.
Apple cider benefits have been understood by natural health practitioners for generations. Old fold remedies abound that are based on apple cider vinegar benefits and the ways apple cider vinegar can enhance natural healing. Natural health and wellness practitioners have used apple cider vinegar for things like weight loss and to fight fevers for centuries. Now, it appears medical science is providing some real evidence for apple cider vinegar benefits.
What are apple cider vinegar benefits? How can you include apple cider vinegar as part of your regular health routines? And what are the scientific facts behind apple cider vinegar benefits? This guide will offer you the facts about apple cider vinegar benefits and the ways you can use apple cider vinegar to benefit your health.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar, like all vinegar varieties, is made using the same basic process as wine production. Apple cider is fermented like wine until it releases both alcohol and acetic acid. It is the acetic acid that gives apple cider vinegar its signature flavor and scent. The process of fermenting apple cider into apple cider vinegar is also the process that brings out the medicinal properties that offer apple cider vinegar its health benefits.
Since fermentation is a natural process, it has been understood for thousands of years. The practice of making various types of vinegar can be traced back as far as 3000 BCE with the ancient Babylonians. The production of vinegar then spread through Asia, the Middle East, and into Europe. Over the centuries, vinegar production has been refined, and with access to apple cider, people began making apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is made after fermenting the juice from pressed apples. Initially, the fermentation produces alcohol. But with the introduction of a second type of bacteria into the process, fermentation allows for the production of acetic acid. It is at this stage the apple cider is made.
Apple cider vinegar takes about a month to produce. There are modern methods that can accelerate the process. Good apple cider vinegar contains about 5-6 percent alcohol, acetic acid, and traces of a variety of other acids. It is the presence of these acids and other trace compounds that are thought to make apple cider vinegar beneficial to your health.
Apple Cider Vinegar Nutrition Facts
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the nutritional information for one tablespoon (15mL) of apple cider vinegar breaks down as:
- Calories: 0
- Fats: 0g
- Sodium: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Sugars: 0.4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
The assay for this information is based on Bragg’s ACV which is a completely organic brand of apple cider vinegar and therefore contains no additives or supplements.
Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits
The health benefits of apple cider vinegar are derived from the chemical compounds unique to apple cider vinegar. These health benefits include:
Contains compounds that are good for your health
It is recommended that you use only organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar. This contains a substance referred to as the mother which contains strands of protein, enzymes, and bacteria that are good for your health. To take apple cider vinegar as a health supplement, use only organic unfiltered varieties.
Kills many dangerous bacteria
Can kill dangerous bacteria. The use of apple cider vinegar as an antiseptic dates back as far as the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates, who many consider to be the founder of modern medicine, recommended treating wounds with apple cider vinegar to fight infections. Centuries before the discovery of modern antibiotics, apple cider vinegar was used to prevent dangerous infections.
Many types of vinegar are used to preserve foods. Apple cider vinegar is especially useful for preserving foods since it prevents the growth of dangerous bacteria like E. coli.
Since apple cider vinegar is so potent in killing bacteria, it is sometimes used in a solution to treat acne.
Diabetes treatment
Some studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can help alleviate the high blood sugar levels that are associated with type 2 diabetes. Since apple cider vinegar introduces small concentrations of sugar into the bloodstream but it contains zero carbohydrates, it appears to have the effect of controlling blood sugar levels.
Research has shown that apple cider vinegar can fight type 2 diabetes in the following ways:
- A small study suggests vinegar may improve insulin sensitivity by 19–34% during a high-carb meal and significantly lower blood sugar and insulin response.
- In a small study of 5 healthy people, vinegar reduced blood sugar by 31.4% after eating 50 grams of white bread.
- A small study in people with diabetes reported that consuming 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime reduced fasting blood sugar by 4% the following morning.
- Numerous other studies in humans show that vinegar can improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels after meals.
Reduces the risk of heart disease
There are some early studies that have shown a link between small amounts of apple cider as a dietary supplement and reduced levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. High cholesterol and triglycerides are makers of heart disease which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Still more studies have demonstrated a link between apple cider vinegar and reduced blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the leading causes of heart disease and kidney problems.
Can help you lose weight
Obesity and morbid obesity are associated with a wide range of health problems, many of which are fatal. Apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight for better overall health.
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is a short-chain fatty acid. When this enters the digestive system, it begins to break down into acetate and hydrogen. The metabolic process that works with the reaction can help with weight loss as it
- Lower blood sugar levels and helps the body absorb and break down sugars.
- It can decrease insulin levels. Studies show that apple cider vinegar can decrease the ratio of inulin to glucose. A decrease in this ratio can help with weight loss. It has the effect of helping to prevent type 2 diabetes.
- Increases metabolism. The acetate that is released in the metabolic processing of apple cider vinegar increase levels of a specific enzyme that is crucial to metabolism. This has the effect of increasing your metabolic rate and this leads to burning fat.
- Decreases fat storage. Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar stimulates a specific gene that inhibits the body's ability to store fat.
- Suppresses your appetite. Apple cider vinegar releases enough acetate as it is broken down to send chemical signals to the brain that reduce your appetite. Taking a small amount of apple cider vinegar with meals will help you eat less and prevent you from gaining weight.
How to take Apple Cider Vinegar
The most effective way to get apple cider vinegar into your diet is to use it in cooking. Apple cider vinegar can be used in just about anything you make that includes vinegar. It has a unique flavor profile, so you will need to adjust how much you use, but apple cider vinegar is extremely versatile as a culinary ingredient.
Use apple cider vinegar to make salad dressings and homemade mayonnaise. Simply add some apple cider vinegar to savory dishes. It can also be used in baking.
If you want to take apple cider vinegar as a dietary supplement, mix about 1-2 teaspoons up to 1-2 tablespoons into a large glass of water. Diluting apple cider vinegar will prevent damage to your teeth and upset stomach. As with anything new, start with small concentrations and work your way up to the maximum of 2 tablespoons in an eight-ounce glass of water.
As noted above, you get the maximum benefit from apple cider vinegar by using organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar. The mother that is contained in organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar contains many of the most beneficial ingredients.
Apple Cider Vinegar Pros and Cons
As with just about anything else, there are advantages and disadvantages to apple cider vinegar. The pros and cons of apple cider vinegar need to be weighed, of course, but you will likely find the pros far outweigh the cons.
Pros of apple cider vinegar:
- Contains a wealth of healthy ingredients and nutrients.
- Good for heart health.
- Helps maintain healthy blood sugar and helps prevent type 2 diabetes.
- Can help you lose weight.
- Can be used to treat infections.
- Good for your skin.
The cons of apple cider vinegar:
- Can corrode teeth.
- May reduce potassium levels.
- Upset stomach.
All of the cons of apple cider vinegar can be offset with other things like simply brushing your teeth after taking apple cider vinegar as a dietary supplement.
Apple Cider Vinegar FAQS
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar, like all vinegar varieties, is made using the same basic process as wine production. Apple cider is fermented like wine until it releases both alcohol and acetic acid. It is the acetic acid that gives apple cider vinegar its signature flavor and scent. The process of fermenting apple cider into apple cider vinegar is also the process that brings out the medicinal properties that offer apple cider vinegar its health benefits.
Is apple cider vinegar nutritious?
On its own, apple cider vinegar contains few nutrients. However, organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar that contains the mother is loaded with a variety of nutritious ingredients.
What are the health benefits of apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is good for heart health, can help you lose weight, may prevent diabetes, and may prevent heart disease. Apple cider vinegar can also kill dangerous bacteria and infections.
Natural Burn
Natural Burn from NF Sports contains a mix of natural ingredients that provides the best possible ingredients to help you burn fat and lose weight. Natural Burn foregoes things like synthetic caffeine which can have serious side effects and includes only the most effective natural ingredients that naturally enhance metabolism. Natural Burn also contains apple cider vinegar to augment the list of fat burners that genuinely work.
Natural Burn from NF Sports supports calorie burning, healthy stress levels, and appetite control while increasing energy with caffeine from green coffee and green tea. Natural Burn also contains the most effective herbal burners including ashwagandha, apple cider vinegar, and grains of paradise. These herbal burners taken together can provide the most effective herbal weight-loss supplement available.
NF Sports Natural Burn, you will also get the benefits of apple cider vinegar for weight loss and burning fat. NF Sports Natural Burn can also help with increased energy levels, enhanced mood, and the ability to deal with stress and anxiety.
Conclusion
Over the past few decades, people have learned to look around at some of the simplest natural things for health benefits. Everything from common items like green tea to more unlikely things such as specialty herbs. Of the common household items that offer some real health benefits, apple cider vinegar is one of the best.
Again, make sure you use only organic unfiltered apple cider that contains the mother. This will provide you with the nutritional boost you can get from natural apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar can help prevent heart disease and diabetes. It can help fight infection. And apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight. Apple cider vinegar naturally helps your body burn fat while it also helps suppress your appetite. Before taking potentially dangerous synthetic fat burners, you may want to try something as simple as apple cider vinegar.
For a fat-burning supplement that contains apple cider vinegar along with a host of other natural fat-burning ingredients, use NF Sports Natural Burn. This provides the simple benefits of natural apple cider vinegar in the form of an easy health supplement.
