“You must drink apple cider vinegar every morning for a healthy gut”, “If you want to lose weight, you need to start having ACV”, “Apple cider is the best way to boost your metabolism after you cross 40”. These are just a few things that we hear from our health-conscious colleagues and those self-proclaimed doctors whom we called friends. But with so many people talking about the benefits of this all-rounder miraculous cider, hasn’t it got you thinking? Maybe there is something magical about ACV, after all.
Try to find any home remedy on Google. You could Google how to lose weight in 30 days, you can try to find home remedies to get rid of acne, you could be looking for a quick fix to tone your skin, you might want to find out how to stabilize your insulin levels, or maybe you’re just trying to research healthier alternatives. ACV will be mentioned everywhere. Literally, there is nothing that this magical liquid cannot do!
But before we get into the benefits of apple cider and why you must include it in your daily diet, let’s get into the history of this liquid. Apple cider vinegar is basically the fermented juice of crushed apples that contains various minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers (which are basically negligible) as well as acetic acid. So, while this cider may not have any ‘nutritional value’, it has medicinal properties that are essential for a healthy lifestyle.
As a disclaimer, it is important to mention that you must never ingest apple cider on its own. Since it is very acidic in nature, it can erode your teeth, burn your throat, and even damage your stomach lining. You must add ACV to at least half a glass of water, and then consume the concoction.
If you’re trying to find your summer body under all those layers of your winter body, ACV may just come to your rescue. According to a study by a Japanese company, the ingestion of vinegar helped reduce BMI, waist circumference, body weight, and visceral fat area in just 12 weeks. In short, have ACV for weight loss!
Recommended dosage: 2 tablespoons every day
As per research, vinegar can be used as a complementary treatment to bring down blood sugar levels and control insulin spikes. Apple cider is also known to improve insulin sensitivity, which basically means that it allows the body to move more glucose in the bloodstream which in turn lowers blood sugar levels.
Recommended dosage: 4 teaspoons before a meal
PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) is basically a hormonal condition that usually causes irregular periods, ovarian cysts, weight gain, and insulin resistance. Research has shown that women who drink apple cider vinegar can manage their symptoms better – it regulates hormone production and regular periods.
Recommended dosage: 1 tablespoon immediately after dinner
Who thought you’re supposed to have acids in order to get rid of heartburn? Well, this magical acidic vinegar has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to cure heartburn and acidity. However, this remedy has worked for some people while it has made others condition worse, so the effect depends from person to person.
Recommended dosage: 1 teaspoon before or after a meal
Who doesn’t want their metabolism to work the day it did when they were 10? Apple cider might take your back to those good old days. The acetic acid found in ACV is known to increase the production of a fat-burning enzyme called AMPK. It also prevents fat deposition, which in turn increases your metabolic rate.
Recommended dosage: 1 to 2 tablespoons a day
ACV is known to promote fullness and boost satiety. Since it has an appetite suppressing effect you end up at least lesser calories throughout the day. Apple cider vinegar is also known to slow down the rate at which the food leaves your stomach, which helps you feel full for longer. Lower calories, more weight loss, vice versa.
Recommended dosage: 1 to 2 tablespoons a day
Research suggests that the acidity of apple cider increases the acidity levels of your stomach, which in turn allows your body to create more pepsin, which is an enzyme that breaks down protein. As this happens, the acidity of the digested food is reduced, hence improving your overall gut health. Usually, our body has difficulty breaking down protein which is what causes bloating, gas, cramps, and even indigestion.
Recommended dosage: 1 to 2 tablespoons before a meal
But, that's not all. ACV is beneficial for you, inside and outside! Not only can you ingest this cider orally, but you can also even use it on your body for positive effects.
Apple cider vinegar helps restore your face back to its natural pH levels. By doing so, it eliminates all the bacteria on your face. That means, you can say bye-bye to pimples and acne. ACV also acts as a great toner. It can be used to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and discoloration.
How to use: Mix ACV and water in a 1:4 ratio (one part ACV, four-part water). Apply to the face with a clean cotton ball.
Do you have a rash that you just cannot soothe? Apply apple cider to it. This liquid contains anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial properties that will help eliminate the rash altogether. You can also use this cider to soothe a sunburn. It can even be used to treat eczema. ACV soaks can even cure fungal infections like athlete's foot. Ps, you can also use this soak to treat body odor and foot odour.
How to use: For the skin, mix ACV and water in a 1:4 ratio. For soaking, mix ACV and water in a 1:2 ratio.
Once you start using apple cider vinegar on your hair, there is no going back. It helps restore the pH levels of your scalp and eliminate dandruff. It even removes product build-up and helps hydrate your hair, naturally. Plus, ACV restores the shine in your hair and even prevents hair loss and breakage.
How to use: Mix ACV and water in a 1:2 ratio. After you, shampoo, apply the mixture on your hair and let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Grate ginger, lemon zest, and orange zest. In warm water, add 2 tablespoons of apple cider, one tablespoon of honey along with the grated ingredients. Drink on an empty stomach.
Mix 1/3rd cup of olive oil, 1/4th cup of ACV, 2 tablespoons of mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey and salt and pepper, to taste. Ta-da, your delicious and healthy salad dressing is ready. Skinny summer salad dressings, all the way!
If you and your family love pickled veggies, then all you need to do is substitute the white vinegar in your recipe with apple cider. You're getting the tanginess of the vinegar and the health benefits of AVC, with one little substitute!
You know those salt and vinegar chips we all love? Put some apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle, lightly spray it on your favourite salted popcorn or salted chips, and snack away.
Add one tablespoon of apple cider to any smoothie or milkshake. You won’t even be able to taste it, and isn’t that the best way to cheat yourself into having ACV? It’s a great apple cider hack to beat the summer heat.
All you need is chopper turmeric, 2 teaspoons of AVC, and the juice of half a lemon. Add the ingredients to warm water and let it simmer for a while. Consume whenever you want.
Instead of adding regular vinegar to your soups and broths, use apple cider as an alternative.
Of course, the most common have to have ACV is by adding two tablespoons of it to a glass of warm water, along with honey if you’d prefer something sweeter. You can drink this concoction in the morning, before or after a meal, or even before you go to sleep. But, if you’re among the select few who just cannot handle the taste of apple cider, then you can opt for Meadbery’s Apple Cider Vinegar capsules. Two capsules a day are equal to one shot of apple cider vinegar and deliver the daily goodness of superfoods such as Pomegranate, Beetroots, Vitamine B12, and Vitamin B9 for overall health-boosting dosage.
