Some call it “fermented apple juice,” others call it “woo,” but those of us who know anything about natural health call it a “magical elixir there are no words to describe it” super tonic. Yes, I’m talking about all things apple cider vinegar and why you should have it and use it for pretty much everything.
Despite what you may have been told, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is not a new fad. It has been around since at least the beginning of time:
God invented apples, then he invented Adam, and then he told Adam to be fruitful and go make some apple cider vinegar.
Okay, that’s probably not exactly how it happened, but we do know that apple cider vinegar has been around since the time of the Babylonians and that Hippocrates used it in 400 B.C to cure-all sorts of things from ulcers and sores, to coughs and infections. And let’s face it, that guy knew what he was talking about.
What is apple cider vinegar?
It’s all very simple: Vinegar is formed when yeasts ferment natural food sugars into alcohol and acetic acid bacteria convert alcohol to acetic acid. As acetic acid bacteria grow on the surface of a liquid (like apple cider) and ferments, a “mother” forms. A “mother” is that gunky stuff that floats around in the bottle that looks like an ugly booger. Yet, that “ugly booger” is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, and antimicrobial rich properties — a clear sign of an unpasteurized, high-quality apple cider vinegar.
What’s so awesome about it?
Apple cider vinegar isn’t just your average vinegar … it’s down -right medicinal. ACV contains acetic, caffein, and gallic acids, catechin, epicatechin, and other properties that push it into the “super awesome for you” category, like enzymes and prebiotics that feed beneficial bacteria in the gut that power your immune system.
Even though it’s acidic, apple cider vinegar leaves an alkaline ash after it is digested and restores the pH balance of the body. This is why people hail ACV for all things stomach, digestion, bacterial illness, diarrhea, yeast, and urinary tract infection.
What is apple cider vinegar used for?
You could just showcase a bottle in your kitchen so you look like you’re “in the know,” but I suggest actually opening the bottle and trying it out on at least 22 of the 1,000 things you can use apple cider vinegar for. Here’s a short list:
1. Gas, Upset Stomach, and Digestive Issues
Take a teaspoon before meals to prevent indigestion, gas, upset stomach, and food-borne illnesses.
2. Foreign Travel / Food Poisoning
Pour some apple cider vinegar into a travel-size container and take a teaspoon before your meals to prevent food poisoning.
3. Diarrhea
If your diarrhea is caused by a bacteria, apple cider vinegar may help. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 4 ounces of water, and down it.
4. Cold Prevention
If you feel a cold coming on, take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar three times a day until your symptoms disappear, or to keep them from coming on in the first place.
5. Sinus Drainage
Need a booger buster? No worries. Grab a teaspoon of ACV and a warm drink of water and…BAM! Acetic acid kills bacteria and potassium thins the mucus.
6. Diabetes
Studies show that two tablespoons a day can help prevent hyperglycemia, is beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and can improve insulin sensitivity.
7. Ulcers and Wounds
Hippocrates used apple cider vinegar to treat wounds and ulcers … and that’s good enough for me.
8. Weight Loss
Taking apple cider vinegar before meals has been shown to suppress appetite, decrease body fat, and make you feel fuller faster.
9. Oxidative Stress and Cancer Prevention
Apple cider vinegar contains polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress. Studies show that ingestion of polyphenols reduces the risk of cancer.
10. Weed Killer
Forget the “Round-Up.” Apple cider vinegar is a secret weed annihilator. Mix a 1/2 gallon of ACV with 1/4 cup of salt, and a 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap. Fill up a spray bottle and … BAM!
11. All Things Cleaning
You know how people love them some Clorox? Apple cider vinegar is like the Clorox of crunchy people. Spray it on your surfaces, use it in your bathroom, and switch out your expensive toxic products with something non-toxic that works better.
12. Cooking
Apple cider vinegar can be used in soups, salad dressings, sauces, juices, and baking and is an amazing natural preservative.
13. All Things Hair
If you want shinier, smoother, flake-free, and tangle free hair, add 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray your hair after shampooing, massage into your scalp, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse.
14. Odor Neutralizer
Place apple cider vinegar in a bowl near the stink to get rid of odors.
15. Facial Toner
A little apple cider vinegar and water can help balance the pH of your face, tighten your skin, and ward off acne.
16. Deodorant
Stinky pits? Take the ACV spray bottle you now have, and spray away. It will balance your pH and wrap up the smell.
17. Sunburns
If you’ve spent too long in the sun, spray a little apple cider vinegar on your skin to soothe a sunburn.
18. Tiny Insect Killer
If you can’t get rid of those annoying gnats that think your fruit belongs to them, put a tiny squirt of dish soap in a bowl with a few tablespoons of water, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and watch the magic happen. It’s like a sticky trap … for gnats.
19. Wart remover
Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place over the wart before bed. Cover with tape or a band-aid over night, and remove the next day. Repeat each night until the wart is gone.
20. Itchy Skin
Spray apple cider vinegar on itchy skin for quick relief.
21. Teeth Whitener
Mix one part apple cider vinegar and two parts water. Swish for one minute to kill the bacteria and whiten your teeth. You can also create a whitening paste by mixing 2 teaspoons of ACV with 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
22. Energy Booster
Next time you’re drinking your “lemon, maple syrup, and cayenne water” … add a teaspoon (or two) of apple cider vinegar for a caffeine-free pick-me-up.
Which apple cider vinegar should you choose?
All apple cider vinegars are not created equal. Many of them have been pasteurized, filtered, and do not contain the “mother.” What you want is organic, raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, certified organic, apple cider vinegar with a pH of 5 … and you want it by the gallon. (I use BRAGG’s Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother.)
Get a spray bottle, grab your vinegar, and start using apple cider vinegar for pretty much everything.
I want to buy it in bulk but hesitate due to the plastic container as opposed to glass in the smaller sizes. What is your opinion on this? Thank you!!
Do you know if ACV is ok for little ones to ingest straight? Like if a child has an upset stomach can you give it to them? Thanks!
It’s too strong to drink straight. I add to water then drink it.
Love this. Thanks for sharing!!!!!!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reading. 😉
Awesome
I need to get that! !