Apple cider vinegar has many uses ranging from dressing salads to killing weeds. It’s been noted as a health tonic that can be helpful for just about anything. After our clients finish the Alive Smoothie List or any juice fast we encourage them to take 2 tablespoons in warm water. This helps break up the mucos and other toxins.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar that is made from the fermentation of apple cider. Fermentation involves a process in which sugars in food are broken down by bacteria and yeast.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?
There have been many cited benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Diabetes Benefits:
A study conducted in 2007 showed that when subjects with type II diabetes consumed two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar at night their glucose levels were lowered in the morning by at least 4-6%. (1)
Apple cider vinegar contains an active ingredient called acetic acid. Acetic acid is relatively sour and responsible for the lip puckering response that many people have when consuming apple cider vinegar. Acetic acid has been studied for its ability to inhibit carbohydrate digesting enzymes. This means that enzymes like amylase, sucrase, maltase and lactase are not activated so when vinegar is in the gut these sugars and starches are less likely to be absorbed, thus they don’t have an effect on glucose levels. (2)
High Cholesterol Benefits:
Apple cider vinegar contains pectin. Pectin is a type of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber (also known as water soluble fiber) helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels by “grabbing” and essentially absorbing cholesterol and taking it out of the body. Apple cider vinegar also contains amino acids that helps to neutralize LDL cholesterol. (3)
Weight Loss Benefits:
A 2005 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reported that when consuming apple cider vinegar they felt more full and ate less. This may be due to the pectin that is found in apple cider vinegar. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published a study that implies that apple cider vinegar reduces fat and also helps break fat up in the body. In this study mice were put on high fat diets and were fed acetic acid (apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid) compared to mice that were put on the same high fat diet but instead of acetic acid they were given only water. Mice who were given acetic acid had 10% less body fat than others. Researchers in this study believed that acetic acid may have the ability to turn on genes that are capable of oxidizing fatty acids. (4)
Have a stomach ache? Or hiccups? Stuffy Nose?
Apple cider vinegar has been researched for its ability to aid in combating bacterial infections in the stomach and gut. This is due to apple cider vinegar’s antibiotic properties.
Apple cider vinegar can also aide in relieving hiccups!
Apple cider also helps with sinus drainage.
Indigestion Benefits:
Adding 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to one glass of warm water can help combat indigestion.
Beat stress with apple cider vinegar
Exercise and even stress can cause buildup of lactic acid. Symptoms of lactic acid buildup include sore muscles and even fatigue. Amino acids in apple cider vinegar can help counter act lactic acid buildup. Apple cider vinegar also contains potassium and other enzymes that are responsible for relieving symptoms of fatigue and stress.
Note:
Apple cider vinegar is acidic so it could damage the enamel in your teeth. Always dilute apple cider vinegar before drinking it.
A great way to consume apple cider vinegar is to add it to your green juice!
If you are on any medications or have any medical conditions consult with your doctor before using apple cider vinegar.
- White AM, Johnston CS. 2007. Vinegar ingestion at bedtime moderates waking glucose concentrations in adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 11: 2814-2815.
- Ogawa N, Satsu H, Watanabe H, et al. 2000. Acetic acid suppresses the increase in disaccharidase activity that occurs during culture of caco-2 cells. Journal of Nutrition 130:507-513.
- http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4923648_apple-cider-vinegar-reduce-cholesterol.html