Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits and Recipes

Apple cider vinegar is a fermented liquid made mostly of apple juice. It is used to reduce inflammation, relieve digestive issues and detoxify. Yeast is added to turn the fruit sugar in the apple juice into alcohol. This is what is called fermentation. The bacteria in the alcohol becomes acetic acid, which gives the vinegar its strong smell and sour taste. Apple cider vinegar is combined with different things to use it as a preservative, salad dressing and baking ingredient.

Apple Cider Vinegar Is a Natural Healer

Apple cider vinegar contains approximately 3 calories in each tablespoon. It does not have a lot of minerals or vitamins, but it does contain potassium. Evidence shows that apple cider vinegar could help relieve numerous health problems.

Apple Cider Vinegar May Help Relieve an Upset Stomach

Every once in a while, a person will eat a food or drink a beverage that does not agree with their stomach. Their stomach will let them know with some signs like pain, bloating and gas. These symptoms occur because of buildup in areas of the stomach where it shouldn’t. Apple cider vinegar has a natural antibiotic property called pectin. It alleviates aches and intestinal pain. Combine a glass of water or juice and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to help get rid of the stomach drama.

Apple Cider Vinegar May Be a Sore Throat Remedy

Some people sip hot tea or consume lozenges to cure a sore throat. A great way to stop a sore throat is to gargle with apple cider vinegar. The acid in the vinegar is strong enough that it may kill off bacteria causing the soreness. Getting rid of the bacteria requires gargling with about 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar and 2 ounces of warm water.

Apple Cider Vinegar May Fight Leg Cramps

When a person suffers leg cramps, it may be because of low potassium levels. Research has shown that apple cider vinegar could provide a potassium punch for nighttime leg cramps. Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey and a glass of warm water. Drink shortly before bedtime.

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar and Medical Conditions

Medical conditions like diabetes and obesity are correlated with high blood sugar. Apple cider vinegar is like a secret superhero when it comes to fighting some medical conditions because of its ability to help regulate blood sugar as some research has shown.

Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar is a natural weight loss aid because the acetic acid acts as an appetite suppressant. The vinegar reduces water weight, and it also may boost a person’s metabolism. Research suggests that apple cider vinegar interrupts the body’s ability to digest starch, which means fewer sugars in a person’s bloodstream.

Diabetes is a medical condition where the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it correctly. This causes the body to have uncontrollable blood sugar levels. One study showed that taking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar prior to bedtime lowered blood sugar levels by the morning. Another study found that diabetics who drank a mix of water and the vinegar while consuming a high carbohydrate meal had a lower blood sugar after the meal. Blood sugar spikes often occur right after consuming the meal.

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of people dying earlier than they should. One factor in developing heart disease is high cholesterol. Extensive research studies have concluded that one way to reduce high cholesterol is with apple cider vinegar. Approximately 1 tablespoon could lower cholesterol levels if taken once a day. The reason for the reduction in cholesterol is the acetic acid.

Other Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

There are many health benefits of using this vinegar. Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar helps minimize blemishes on the skin, and it also helps treat sunburn and acne. The vinegar is a natural tooth whitener because it stops bacteria from growing on teeth while removing stains from teeth.

Delicious Apple Cider Vinegar Recipes

To obtain the benefits of apple cider, it is important to know how to drink the vinegar. It is recommended to consume it with water or juice because the acid in the vinegar is overpowering and could damage tooth enamel or the throat's soft tissues. There are numerous recipes to try with apple cider vinegar to get the benefits in a tasty beverage. Each of the following recipes serves one person.

Apple Cider Vinegar Tea

Ingredients:

• 12 fluid oz. of hot water
• 2 Tbs. lemon juice
• 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbs. raw honey
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Combine the hot water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey and cinnamon together in a mug.
2. Stir the mixture for several minutes or until all the ingredients are blended in together. It should be ready to drink in about five minutes.
3. Drink and enjoy.

Tip: This drink can also be made in a saucepan over medium heat. Drink it hot or let it cool and add ice.

Apple Cider Vinegar Maple Syrup Soda

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. maple syrup
• 3/4 cup seltzer water or club soda
• 1/2 cup ice

Instructions:

1. Combine the apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and 1/2 cup of ice in a tall glass.
2. Stir the ingredients.
3. Top with seltzer and serve.

Apple Cider Vinegar Apple Pie Elixir

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs. raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• A pinch cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger powder or pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp. pure maple syrup or raw honey
• 2 cups purified water

Instructions:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a glass.
2. Add the liquid ingredients and stir or shake vigorously.
3. Serve and enjoy.

Tips: Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is often known as the “mother of the apple” and is high in protein. If maple syrup is used instead of raw honey, stir the mixture longer for better consistency.

Apple Cider Vinegar ACV Shot Zing Cranberry Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbs. cranberry juice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tsp. maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Combine the apple cider vinegar, cranberry juice, water and maple syrup together in a class.
2. Stir the mixture together and drink.

Apple Cider Vinegar Ginger Honey Switchel

This fermented drink combines the benefits of apple cider vinegar, raw honey or molasses and ginger for a refreshing and electrolyte-filled drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs. unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbs. raw honey or blackstrap molasses
• 2-inch length of fresh ginger root, peeled and finely minced
• 4 cups of water
• ½ of fresh lime, juiced and zested

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a large jar with a lid, cover and shake well.
2. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
3. To serve, pour over ice. This recipe makes 4 cups.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Drink

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 Tbs. of raw apple cider vinegar
• Honey or stevia to taste

Instructions:

1. Pour the raw apple cider vinegar into a glass with the water.
2. Stir in honey or stevia to taste.
3. Serve and enjoy.

Tip: Modify this recipe by adding a squeeze of lemon and a dash of cayenne pepper for an immune-boosting cold tonic. Stevia is a form of sweetener that is used instead of honey or granulated sugar.

Perfect Apple Cider Vinegar Summer Watermelon Shrub

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of ripe watermelon
• ⅓ cup of honey
• ½ cup of raw apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Put the watermelon in a blender and puree until liquefied.
2. Strain the puree mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
3. Add the honey and vinegar to the watermelon juice and stir until the honey is dissolved.
4. Place in a glass container and store in the refrigerator for one to two days before using. The vinegar taste will evaporate over time.
5. Mix a desired amount of the watermelon syrup with water for a refreshing, hydrating drink. This mixture will last in the refrigerator for up to a month.
6. Serve and enjoy.

Apple cider vinegar has a lot of fighting power. Whether a person is trying to brighten the appearance of their skin or lower their blood sugar, studies have shown that apple cider vinegar gives the body an extra boost.