Benefits and Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

I always keep a bottle of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in the kitchen. Apple cider vinegar has become the most popular vinegar in the natural health community and it has been used throughout the ages. It kills many types of bacteria and other pathogens and has often been used as a food preservative that stops bacteria from growing in the food and spoiling it. Apple Cider vinegar is made by combining apples with yeast. This converts the sugar in the apples into alcohol. The alcohol is fermented into acetic acid by the bacteria, which are added. Apple cider vinegar is about six percent acetic acid. It also contains water and trace amounts of other acids, vitamins and minerals, most notably potassium. It is very low in calories. There are only about three per teaspoon. Many people enjoy including apple cider vinegar in their diet by adding it to dressings or mayonnaise. Others prefer to dilute it in water and drink it. I take a teaspoon diluted in a cup of warm water every morning before breakfast. As always, be sure to purchase organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass bottle and store it in a cupboard away from direct sunlight. 

Benefits and Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple cider vinegar is becoming popular in hair care to add shine to the hair and to eliminate dandruff. Its acidity makes it hard for yeast to grow. Make a miixture of half apple cider vinegar and half water and spray it over the hair and scalp. Wrap the head in a towel and leave for about twenty minutes before washing. Apple cider vinegar can also be mixed with water and poured through the hair after shampooing to increase body and shine.I have found this to be very effective. 

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a toner or an aftershave. Dilute it in water first and wipe it over the skin. It regulates the pH of the skin. Not only do its antibacterial properties help to control acne, it also exfoliates and softens the skin. It is refreshing to apply it to the hands and feet too. A nice way to finish the day is to make a warm water foot bath and add a quarter of a cup of apple cider vinegar. This is an excellent remedy in the case of nail fungus. 

Apple cider vinegar eases a sore throat. The acids it contains help to kill the germs. Mix a little apple cider vinegar with water and gargle. This can also eliminate bad breath because the bacteria that causes the odor will be killed off. 
A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey added to a glass of warm water and sipped can prevent indigestion. And a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar added to a glass of warm water and slowly sipped will help relieve an upset stomach. Apple cider vinegar has been known to relieve intestinal spasms and its antibiotic properties contribute to stopping bacterial infection. It can soothe heartburn and even hiccups and correct low acid. However, it does not relieve ulcers. 

Apple cider vinegar has been found to be beneficial to people who are suffering from type 2 diabetes, of which elevated blood sugar is a feature. Drinking a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar assists in stabilizing blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar helps to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar responses during meals. The acetic acid it contains suppresses the breakdown of starches. This means that less sugar gets absorbed if apple cider vinegar is taken before a carbohydrate-rich meal. 
Apple cider vinegar is beneficial for weight loss as it gives a feeling of being 'full' and therefore, suppresses the appetite. It also assists in increasing metabolism and reducing water retention. 
Taking apple cider vinegar helps to lower cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure, which is beneficial for the heart. 
The potassium contained in apple cider vinegar contributes to the thinning of mucus, which means it can help to clear a blocked nose. Its antibacterial properties kill germs so it is useful in the case of a common cold. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink it. This will also cleanse the lymph nodes as apple cider vinegar breaks up mucus throughout the body. 

Exercise often causes lactic acid to build up in the body, which creates fatigue. The amino acids in apple cider vinegar can offset this and because of the potassium it contains, it can provide relief from painful leg cramps. Leg cramps often indicate a lack of potassium. Drinking water containing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a little honey can help with this problem. 
I always mix apple cider vinegar with water when using it, even when applying it externally, as some people have reported to have experienced a burning effect on the skin if applying it directly. However, it can be applied directly onto a wart. If the wart is then covered and left overnight, it will fall off. Applying diluted apple cider vinegar to a bruise will make the discoloration disappear faster. 
Apple cider vinegar contributes to the detoxification of the body and the balancing of the body's systems as well as to the maintenance of a healthy alkaline pH level. 
Apple cider vinegar contains natural enzymes which facilitate the elimination of candida from the body. Candida creates yeast infections as well as poor memory and sugar cravings and causes fatigue. 

Apple cider vinegar has been successfully used as a natural room freshener and cleaner, as an alternative to chemical cleaners. It has been used to clean bathrooms and kitchens as well as windows and mirrors and has even been used to wash the dishes. 

Apple cider vinegar has proven useful for pets too. If mixed with water and sprayed over a pet's fur and then rubbed in, it acts as a flea repellent.

What are the Risks of Apple Cider Vinegar? 

Apple cider vinegar appears to be safe and without side effects if used in small quantities and that is the key, not to use too much of it at once. I only consume a teaspoon a day diluted in water. No more than two tablespoons should be taken daily and it should be diluted with water before consumption or before being applied to the hair or skin. 
Excessive amounts of apple cider vinegar could cause digestive upsets in some people and it has the potential to worsen a condition called 'gastroparesis', which commonly occurs in people with type 1 diabetes. In this case, the food stays in the stomach too long and causes symptoms such as heartburn, bloating and nausea.
 Excessive consumption could also lead to bone loss as the minerals are leached from the bones to counteract the acidity in the blood and because of the acid it contains, apple cider vinegar can erode tooth enamel. There have been cases of throat and skin burns reported after the use of undiluted apple cider vinegar.

The advice of a health practitioner should be sought if taking apple cider vinegar while on medication as some drugs, such as diabetic and diuretic medications, interact with it. 
It is rare that someone should be allergic to apple cider vinegar, but in the case of a reaction, use must be stopped immediately.