Drinking apple cider vinegar with water is a healthy habit that most people can incorporate into your daily routine. However, you should not take more than two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar everyday, and always remember to dilute it with water. Diluting it will make it less acidic for your esophagus.
This post will examine :
- What is Apple Cider Vinegar
- 6 benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar With the “Mother”
Unrefined, unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is considered to have the most health benefits. Quality vinegar like this contains what is known as the mother. The appearance is dark brown with strands resembling cobwebs. As it is unfiltered the product may appear cloudy or contain some sediment at the bottom of the container.
The mother itself is a rich, natural, health boosting protein. The gut- friendly bacteria, enzymes and acetic acid of the mother help keep the digestive system working efficiently. It has a neutralizing effect on stomach acid and is known to be very effective in fighting harmful bacteria.
The Health Benefits of Unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar
The healing restorative properties that are formed through the fermentation process of apple cider vinegar remain intact when the vinegar is raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized and contains the live mother.
This ability is considered by some to be the most important property of this versatile health food. The wide range of health problems that are helped by the use of this very popular apple cider vinegar is indeed amazing.
The raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar contains pectin, a prebiotic which is a great aid to digestive disorders.
Increasing evidence implicates an imbalance in gut flora (where harmful bacteria exist in unnatural amounts) as causing and contributing to a large range of health problems, from relatively minor to very serious.Imbalance in the body is believed to be the cause of numerous problems affecting the health of many people.
The inclusion of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in the diet has been proven to have the ability to bring balance back to the body. The beneficial effects of apple cider vinegar in helping neutralize these pathogens cannot be over-emphasized.
Studies have found unpasteurized apple cider vinegar containing the mother helps lower blood sugar levels, and has the ability to aid the recovery process if you are sick.
The Process of Making Apple Cider Vinegar
Two steps are involved in the making of apple cider vinegar. The process begins with yeast being added to apple cider so that the sugars ferment, turning some of the cider into alcohol.
This alcoholic solution is then further fermented by the addition of bacteria. The result is acetic acid, the main active constituent of unfiltered, unpasteurized vinegar containing the “mother”.
Filtered or Unfiltered
Made from apple juice, apple cider vinegar comes in two varieties, filtered or unfiltered.The filtered and pasteurized variety that refines the clear apple cider vinegar removes the sediment and the vinegar mother.
The clear sparkling appearance of filtered, pasteurized apple cider vinegar is more visually appealing to those consumers whose purchasing decisions are driven by aesthetics. Many of these people have been led to believe the misconception that when a product is labeled ‘filtered and pasteurized’ it is safer and healthier for you.
However with apple cider vinegar, at least, nothing could be further from the truth. As a result of the pasteurizing and filtering process the healing health giving properties of raw unpasteurized apple cider are also removed.
The beneficial properties of healthy enzymes and nutrients are filtered out or destroyed by heat during the processing of natural apple cider vinegar.
It is the murky-appearing collection of acetic acid, bacteria and roughage(the mother) that is retained when it is unfiltered and unrefined. It is believed that the live mother in this unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is the reason it has enhanced health giving properties.
To achieve the maximum health benefits of apple cider vinegar, make sure the label states that the product is both unfiltered and unpasteurized.
6 Benefits of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar
Drinking diluted ACV on a daily basis can provide several health benefits.
- Helps manage type 2 diabetes
Vinegar has been found by experts to help improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity is crucial towards achieving lower blood sugar. Studies reveal that vinegar leads to a significant buffering of blood sugar levels, even after indulging in a heavy carbohydrate meal.
Studies have also shown that adding apple cider vinegar to salad dressings can also help lower blood sugar levels.
Experts confirm that taking 2 tablespoons of ACV can help improve fasting blood sugar by up to 4%, however, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes (especially type 1), it is wise to check with your physician first before taking ACV.
- Feel more satiated
In one study, participants were given white bread and vinegar, however, not all participants consumed the same level of vinegar. Some participants were givenvinegar with low levels of acetic acid. Others were given vinegar with higher levels of acetic acid. The results showed that those who were given higher levels of acetic acid were found to feel fuller than the other participants.
- Your skin will improve
Apple cider vinegar is also known to improve skin health as it reduces scarring and helps treat acne. Bacteria is usually the culprit for acne and other skin problems. The benefit found in the apple cider vinegar is that it contains antibacterial properties, effective in fighting against bacterial skin infections.
- Lowers your risk of heart disease
Since ACV helps lower blood pressure, it can also help reduce the risk of heart disease. ACV also aids in increasing good cholesterol levels and helpful in regulating triglyceride levels. These findings have been confirmed in several studies.
- It aids in regular bowel movement
ACV is also known to act as a natural laxative. Many people who drink it on a regular basis claim to have improved bowel movements. This effect can be attributed to its water-soluble content of pectin.
Drinking a glass of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of ACV have been found effective in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. This condition has been linked to having low levels of stomach acid. This is when ACV is helpful for it contains acetic acid which has alkalizing effect once in the digestive system.
- You may experience less heartburn.
Stomach acid that is produced for digestion should remain in the stomach. The muscles at the entrance of the stomach must close and open at the right time. However, this doesn’t happen when heartburn or acid reflux is experienced.
Unfortunately, some people’s stomach muscles do not perform the way they should, and this is when they experience acid reflux or heartburn. Taking apple cider vinegar can help reduce heartburn. It is because ACV contains acetic acid that when ingested becomes capable of alkalizing the stomach environment. This keeps the symptoms of acid reflux at bay.
Apple Cider Vinegar has many uses and can benefit the entire family.
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