If you don’t have a bottle of apple cider vinegar in your pantry, you may be missing out on the serious health benefits it has to offer.
Made from fermented apples, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is rich in enzymes, probiotics and antioxidants that help support a healthy body and offer positive benefits for many health-related conditions.
Here’s what ACV can do for you:
Research shows that apple cider vinegar can aid in weight loss and help you shed body fat.
The weight loss is believed to be influenced by the acetic acid ACV contains, which can help suppress your appetite, increase your metabolism and reduce water retention.
2. ACV banishes bad breath
A little-known benefit of apple cider vinegar is its ability to help banish bad breath. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of ACV to an 8-ounce glass of water and use it to gargle after brushing your teeth.
Afterward, rinse your mouth out with plain water to remove any remaining acid from your teeth.
3. ACV calms acid reflux
Contrary to popular belief, heartburn is caused by too little stomach acid — not too much.
Apple cider vinegar can help replenish your stomach with sufficient amounts of acid to promote proper digestion and prevent heartburn.
Sip a glass of warm water containing one teaspoon of ACV about 30 minutes before eating to ease digestion.
4. ACV helps clear a stuffy nose and soothe a sore throat
Apple cider vinegar is known for its ability to reduce congestion and provide relief from a sore throat. The next time you feel a cold coming on, grab your ACV for a little natural healing.
For internal use, add one-eighth to one-fourth cup of apple cider vinegar to 16 ounces of filtered water. Stir and sip the tonic throughout the day to help kick your cold.
You can also use ACV as a nasal rinse solution to clear up congestion.
Add one-half to 1 teaspoon to 6 to 8 ounces of warm filtered water and stir, then use a neti pot or sinus rinse bottle as needed.
5. ACV helps lower blood sugar
Regulating your blood sugar plays a key role in reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Studies show that consuming apple cider vinegar can help naturally lower your blood sugar levels, which may be especially beneficial for diabetics.
6. ACV helps calm an upset stomach
Apple cider vinegar happens to be one of the best natural remedies for an upset stomach.
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons to an 8-ounce glass of filtered water to help soothe intestinal spasms, replenish low stomach acid, aid in digestion and provide relief from bloating and gas.
By Dr. Joseph Mercola
From the author: The existing medical establishment is responsible for killing and permanently injuring millions of Americans, but the surging numbers of visitors to Mercola.com since I began the site in 1997 – we are now routinely among the top 10 health sites on the Internet – convinces me that you, too, are fed up with their deception. You want practical health solutions without the hype, and that’s what I offer.
