Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar has been used for hundreds of years to benefit health in a wide variety of applications. But what are these benefits? Does apple cider vinegar actually help with weight loss? Is it a skincare must-have? How good for you is it really, and how do you take it?
It’s time to get up close and personal with apple cider vinegar, its uses and all its health benefits.
It sounds like a weird combination, no? You have apple cider, traditionally a celebratory fall drink you’ll drink piping hot. On the other hand, we all know vinegar as that sharp-smelling clear liquid you mix with water to clean the floors. It begs the question: how in the world can the two be married into something even remotely good for you?
The process is actually pretty scientific. Without getting too complicated, the first step is cutting up the apples and mixing them with yeast to convert the sugar into alcohol. Then, bacteria is added to create acetic acid via fermentation. This acetic acid makes up 5-6% of the apple cider vinegar, with the remaining content being mostly water and small amounts of other select acids.
It is this acetic acid (a short-chain fatty acid) that offers some killer health benefits for the body.
There are multiple ways apple cider vinegar aids in weight loss. It can lower blood sugar levels by promoting improved sugar absorption from the blood, through muscles and the liver. It has been shown to suppress the appetite by triggering appetite-suppressing hormones in the brain - by feeling satiated most of the time, you’re less likely to reach for unhealthy, sugary snacks you don’t need. Apple cider vinegar can actually help burn fat and reduce body fat buildup by activating the genes which stimulate fat burn in the body.
Remember how we mentioned vinegar being used as a household cleaning solution? This is because vinegar actually kills bacteria - both the kind found throughout your house and the kind found in your gut. It is a huge defense mechanism against E. coli, the stomach flu bacteria, which is why foods are sometimes treated with vinegar to prevent possible transmission. By consuming apple cider vinegar, you can help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut environment, at the same time helping to prevent stomach illnesses from occurring.
Because of its antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar can help cleanse the skin, may reduce acne breakouts, can work as a chemical exfoliant and can even aid in the reduction of wrinkles. In fact, a wide range of beauty products include apple cider vinegar in their ingredients, specifically to help the skin.
The fruit acids in apple cider vinegar operate as both an exfoliant and cleanser, which can be applied to the skin to reduce the appearance of acne and exfoliate the outer layer of dirt, oil and dead skin cells, promoting a healthy, glowing complexion. Additionally, the properties of apple cider vinegar toners can be used to tighten the skin, thereby minimizing wrinkles.
In addition to helping with the microbiome of your gut, apple cider vinegar has been noted to help with heart health by lowering levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Also, its ability to reduce blood pressure is beneficial to overall heart health.
Some people swear by mixing a little apple cider vinegar (ranging from 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons) into a big glass of water and drinking it straight. However, due to its strong acidity, this might cause an unhappy stomach at first, if your body is not used to the habit. If this is the route you choose to take, maybe consider only a teaspoon and work your way up based on your body’s response.
Here’s another great idea, one that’s easier to stomach: incorporate apple cider vinegar into your recipes! Perhaps you mix it in with a little ginger tea and honey for a nice throat soothing blend. Or, an apple cider vinegar-based salad dressing could amp up your salad game, giving an additional boost to those already-good-for-you veggies! Maybe you need to disguise the taste even more? Try mixing it into a chili or stew, or crafting an apple cider vinegar based mayonnaise. Truly, the possibilities are endless!
Now that you’re convinced of the benefits apple cider vinegar offers your body, be sure to take it nice and slow! Always use organic apple cider vinegar to avoid any nasty additives or preservatives. And if you’re applying it straight to your skin, make sure you dilute, dilute, dilute so as not to do serious damage to the skin barrier. And please don’t go taking straight shots of apple cider vinegar. Your stomach might not love you for it. In this case, less is more.
But trust us when we say your body will thank you for introducing apple cider vinegar into your diet. And if you take it in conjunction with our BUBS Naturals MCT Oil Powder or Collagen Protein, you can give your skin, hair, stomach (and more), a healthy boost.