Apple Cider Vinegar – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Apple cider vinegar is an ancient folk remedy that has been used as a cure-all by the natural health community for years. At its purest form, apple cider vinegar contains “mother” strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria that are believed to be the source of its health benefits. The “mother of vinegar” is the buildup of yeast and bacteria that occurs during the fermentation process.

List of known nutrients

Apple cider vinegar is not known to be nutrient-dense. Besides potassium, the only other notable mineral in apple cider vinegar is manganese, with one cup containing 0.6 mg or 30 percent of the recommended daily value. What apple cider vinegar does have in abundance, however, is antioxidant chemicals, originally from apples and enhanced by microbes when turned into vinegar. These antioxidant chemicals are:

• Catechin
• Chlorogenic acid
• Epicatechin
• Quercetin

Other known nutrients in apple cider vinegar are:

• Amino acids
• Citric acid
• Polyphenolic compounds

Medicinal uses for apple cider vinegar

Acetic acid, the main ingredient in vinegar, makes it highly effective as a natural food preservative, cleaning agent, and disinfectant. As an eliminator and inhibitor of pathogens like bacteria, apple cider vinegar has also been used to treat health conditions caused by bacteria. These range from warts to acne to athlete’s foot to swimmer’s ear to nail fungi to skin wounds.

Apple cider vinegar has also been utilized in weight loss as it’s said to suppress appetite, increase metabolism, promote better digestion, and reduce water retention.

Other conditions apple cider vinegar has been used for include:

• Acid reflux
• Candida
• Common cold
• Cough
• Gout
• Heart disease
• Hiccups
• High blood pressure
• Itching
• Menstrual cramps
• Nasal congestion
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sinus infection
• Strep throat

Body systems supported by apple cider vinegar

With its vast array of medicinal uses, apple cider vinegar can support the proper function of the following body systems and organs:

• Circulatory system, including blood vessels
• Digestive tract
• Heart
• Kidney
• Liver
• Lymphatic System
• Skin

Ways to use apple cider vinegar

When applied to the skin, apple cider vinegar is usually diluted with equal parts water. Drinking apple cider vinegar is another popular way to reap its benefits, although its sharp, tart taste makes it difficult to drink for some. Aside from mixing it with water, apple cider vinegar can be used with other ingredients for a juice or tonic. Salads or marinades made with apple cider vinegar are another method of getting apple cider vinegar into the body.

If consumed, it should be noted that apple cider vinegar is best in small amounts. Because it’s very acidic, drinking apple cider vinegar can harm the esophagus and contribute to tooth decay.

Where to learn more

• Apple cider vinegar for acne? Folk remedy actually works better than chemicals
• Apple cider vinegar benefits hair, skin and teeth
• Apple Cider Vinegar improves blood sugar regulation and speeds up weight loss
• Apple cider vinegar shows promise against diabetes complications
• Apple cider vinegar stabilizes blood glucose, prevents heart disease and improves weight loss!
• Apple Cider Vinegar is Effective Treatment for Candida

Summary

The “mother of vinegar” has a multitude of health benefits.

Raw, organic, unpasteurized, and unfiltered apple cider vinegar is considered the best type available.

Apple cider vinegar has been used as an antibacterial substance, as an antioxidant, and as antimicrobial agent.

It can be used for health and beauty, since apple cider vinegar can remedy conditions such as acne, bad cholesterol, poor hair, and nasal congestion.

Sources include:

AuthorityNutrition.com
NutritionData.Self.com
NaturalSociety.com
NaturalLivingIdeas.com
TheHealthyHoneys.com
MindBodyGreen.com