Apple Cider Vinegar, Part 1 of 2

I’ve been wanting to blog about apple cider vinegar for quite some time, so I’m excited about today’s post. Apple cider vinegar is one of those powerful foods that can be used for countless reasons. If you don’t have a big jar of it in your cabinet, I recommend purchasing one! Go for the good organic stuff – it’s not too much more expensive, and the quality is superior. You want something that is raw and unfiltered as well, to get the most health benefits. Right now you can get a 16-ounce jar on Amazon.com for only $3.55! Normally I don’t push the product until AFTER I’ve touted all of its health benefits, so I apologize, but trust me – after reading the rest of this post, you’ll be ready to buy.

ACV is made from fresh apples. They are crushed and allowed to mature in wooden barrels, which boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the apples. It contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon, and fluorine – all of which are essential for our health. It is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. The health uses and benefits are as follows:

Hydrochloric Acid: Remember a LONG time ago (last November, to be exact) when I talked about the importance of HCL in the stomach? And how taking antacids can actually really hurt your digestion and overall health? To review, stomach acid is absolutely necessary for activation of digestive enzymes and for assisting with breakdown and digestion of our food. Without it, our food will remain undigested, causing cramping, bloating, gas, reflux, and serious damage to our digestive tract. Many things can cause someone to have low stomach acid, such as aging, overuse of prescription medications, poor diet, or disease. While there are HCL supplements that can be used, you don’t want to take these forever because your body will stop producing its own stomach acid and become dependant on them. Apple cider vinegar is one way to stimulate production of stomach acid before a meal. Just take 1-2 teaspoons 15 minutes before eating, and see if you notice a difference in your digestion!

Healthy Hair: Since ACV and our hair are both mildly acidic, and shampoo and hair products are alkaline, ACV can be a good way to balance out the pH in our hair and remove buildup from our hair and styling products. Simply mix 1 tbsp ACV into 1 cup water and rinse your hair with this mixture after you shampoo and condition. People who have tried this have reported that their hair becomes much shiner and smoother than ever before! The acids and enzymes in the ACV can also help kill off the bacteria that causes dandruff. For a dandruff treatment, rub ACV all over your scalp and leave in for 30 minutes before rinsing. Some even say ACV can be used to treat lice, although personally if I had bugs living in my hair, I may go straight for the strong, toxic stuff!

For Colds, Coughs and Flu: ACV is a detoxifier and cleanser of our organs. It has the ability to break down fatty deposits, mucus and phlegm within the body, which can be beneficial when we are sick. It helps balance the natural pH inside our bodies, which will in turn create an uninhabitable living environment for whatever bad bacteria we have when we’re sick. A simple mixture of warm water, ACV, lemon juice, and maybe a little raw honey can be really powerful for someone who is sick – kids or adults.

Arthritis: If you suffer from arthritis, ACV can be used internally and externally for the joints. Soaking the painful foot or hand in a solution of ½ cup ACV and 1 ½ cups warm water will help ease joint pain. Also, drinking a glass of water with 2 tsp ACV and some raw honey will also help. This should be consumed 2-3 times per day when joints are particularly inflamed and painful. This goes for those with painful gout attacks, as well.

Tomorrow I'll wrap this up with even more health uses for ACV!