As far as health foods and health supplements are concerned, over the last few years, there has been a big buzz surrounding natural apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is now considered one of the healthiest, and most beneficial products in the world, yet many people still turn their noses up at it for one reason or another. Apple cider vinegar has been used for health and medicinal purposes for literally hundreds of years, and the benefits associated with it are too vast to count in one sitting. It is made via a special two-step process, which is actually very similar to how wine, or cider is made (hence the name). To begin with, freshly crushed apples will have yeast added to them. This causes the natural sugars within the apples to ferment, turning them into alcohol. Next comes the second step. Here, special bacteria is added to the mixture, causing it to ferment even more, turning the alcohol into what is known as acetic acid. In natural, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, there will be visible strands in the solution, causing it to look cloudy and as if there are cobwebs inside. This is actually known as the “mother” and is made up of healthy bacteria, enzymes, and proteins. The “mother” is one of the main reasons why apple cider vinegar is so healthy, yet supermarkets and big corporations heavily heat, pasteurise, and filter the vinegar to remove the Mother, as they’re worried that because it doesn’t look attractive, people won’t buy it. Apple cider vinegar should be cloudy, and it should have white stringy cobweb like structures inside it, and if it doesn’t and it’s crystal clear, it’s basically no good. Anyway, here’s a look at a few great reasons why you should try apple cider vinegar.
It can help regulate and lower blood sugar levels
For diabetics, or people with high blood sugar levels at risk of turning diabetic, apple cider vinegar is especially beneficial as it has the ability to help regulate and lower our blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar helps to improve insulin sensitivity, which in turn helps to reduce blood glucose levels following a meal. It also helps to reduce blood sugar levels by almost 40% following a simple carb source such as white bread or candy. For anybody with type 2 diabetes, or unstable blood sugar levels, one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a morning, before bed, and after a high-carb meal can prove extremely beneficial indeed.
It can help with weight loss and management
As so many of us tend to struggle with our weight on such a regular basis, apple cider vinegar could again prove especially helpful and beneficial, for a number of different reasons. To begin with, it has been proven to help to naturally suppress our appetites by increasing satiety following a meal. Basically, this means that after we eat, we feel full much easier, and as a result we eat less, and won’t go back for extra helpings, which will increase our calorie intake. It is the acetic acid contained within the vinegar that is responsible for suppressing our appetites, as experts believe it helps to reduce the Glycemic Index of various foods. As we feel full for longer, we also don’t crave unhealthy foods and additional foods, which would again increase our calorie consumption and cause us to gain weight.
It can reduce harmful cholesterol levels
In our bodies, there are actually two separate types of cholesterol: LDL, and HDL. HDL cholesterol is known as healthy cholesterol, whilst LDL is known as bad cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the fatty deposits that build up in our arteries, causing hypertension (high blood pressure) renal failure, heart disease, heart attacks, and more. HDL cholesterol actually helps to lower LDL cholesterol, which is why it’s considered a healthy cholesterol. A recent study carried out on individuals who consumed apple cider vinegar on a daily basis for 8 weeks straight, concluded that dangerous blood lipids (fats in the blood) which cause LDL cholesterol, were reduced significantly, and as well as that, HDL cholesterol levels actually increased slightly, so harmful LDL cholesterol levels were reduced even further.
It’s rich in minerals
Other than vitamin C, apple cider vinegar isn’t especially high in vitamins, though the vitamin C content is beneficial enough as it strengthens and boosts the immune system, but it is rich in a number of minerals, including zinc, magnesium, and potassium. For this reason, the immune system again gets a real boost, as does the circulatory system, the digestive system, and more. It’s also effective at preventing lactic acid build ups which contribute towards painful muscle cramps.
It’s great for the digestive system
We mentioned the importance of the “mother” a little earlier in the article, and this is where the Mother really comes into its own. The mother is made up of proteins, healthy enzymes, and healthy bacteria, and as well as that, the vinegar itself also contains a decent amount of these enzymes and healthy bacteria as well. These enzymes and healthy bacteria have been found to be incredibly beneficial for the digestive system as they help us to digest food more easily, absorb nutrients more effectively, and excrete waste products more effectively and more quicker, making it a great cure for constipation and diarrhea as well. Not only do these enzymes and bacteria help improve digestion, they also help prevent infection and disease, making apple cider vinegar especially beneficial at preventing certain cancers such as bowel, stomach, and colon.
It provides healthy looking skin
ACV is rich in antioxidants, which as well as being able to prevent a variety of different cancers and other harmful diseases, can also help us to feel and look healthier as well. Studies have found that consuming ACV daily will help to prevent spots and blemishes, and give the skin a clear, natural, and healthy glow. Going one step further, the vinegar can actually be applies to a damp cloth and wiped on the face. This will help to restore PH levels to the skin, provide additional moisture by destroying dead skin cells, and helping to fight off stubborn blackheads, spots, and pimples.
