8 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been touted by homesteaders as a wonderful remedy for many ailments, from curing hiccups to helping you lose weight. Cooks love it too, as it provides a wonderful kick to salad dressings, coleslaws, and mayonnaises. You can even get a great dose of the good stuff in apple cider vinegar by putting it to work to preserve your fruits and vegetables.

While the list grows long of great uses for apple cider vinegar, some of these remedies haven’t quite been proven for effectiveness. Therefore, the purpose of today’s apple cider vinegar post is to reveal the top 8 surefire health reasons to partake in some apple cider vinegar. There is one extra use that i did not put down here as i covered it in anothor article called 6 All Natural Kidney Stone Remedies.

1. Dandruff Cure

Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic which means it has the power to actually change the pH of your skin. Dandruff is caused by a build up of a yeast-like substance on your scalp. By changing and increasing the pH level of the scalp apple cider vinegar causes less of this substance to grow and will help to keep flaky dandruff at bay.

To easily reap the benefits of this hair hack, mix apple cider vinegar and water together at a 1:1 ratio and lightly spray your scalp. Use a towel to wrap up your head and let the solution sink in for fifteen minutes to an hour. Then, simply wash and rinse your hair as usual. This treatment can be used up to twice a week.

2. Soothe Indigestion

If you’re suffering from an upset stomach or indigestion, look to your cupboards for some apple cider vinegar. Its powerful antibiotic properties which make it a great remedy for bacterial infections in the digestive system.

Mix a little apple cider vinegar with water and take a few sips, or go ahead and make a nice tummy-soothing drink by mixing it with apple juice. Honey and warm water are also a great vehicle for a little extra apple cider vinegar. If you expect a certain food may upset your stomach, try one of these drinks approximately 30 minutes before eating.

3. Clear Your Stuffed Nose

Apple cider vinegar contains a great does of potassium which is an effective mucus-thinner. It also provides a double dose of goodness, as the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar helps to prevent bacteria growth, which is a culprit of congestion.

Simply mix some apple cider vinegar into water, apple juice, or a honey-water mixture as suggested above and get ready to breathe easy.

4. Stop Those Hiccups

The sour, acidic taste of apple cider vinegar stops hiccups quickly and without any breath- holding or scaring necessary.

Simply drink a teaspoon to shock your system out of its hiccup spasms.

5. Comfort Sore Throats

As mentioned before, acetic acid in apple cider vinegar helps to prevent bacterial growth and potassium thins mucus and allows for it to leave your system. Since sore throats are often an indication of a build up of bacteria, apple cider vinegar makes a great hack for this common problem.

At the first sign of a sore throat, nip it in the bud with a bit of apple cider vinegar. Mix the helpful substance with equal parts water and gurgle regularly throughout the day.

6. Disinfect It All

Apple cider vinegar eliminates bacteria and can disinfect many problem areas on the body such as toe nail fungus, lice, warts, and even ear infections. For scrapes which might require a mild disinfectant, apple cider vinegar can do the trick. When diluted, it can also serve as a good acne treatment when applied to the skin.

To use on the skin as a disinfectant, you may want to dilute with water. For use on warts, lice and fungi, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the infected area throughout the day(s). If using on an open wound, to be sure that disinfection is occurring, skip the dilution and apply liberally. The disinfecting power of apple cider vinegar extends to food preservation too. Find an excellent recipe for pickling with apple cider vinegar to preserve your summer vegetables and more.

7. Lower Your Blood Sugar Level

Vinegar increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels, and therefore is a great treat for people with type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar levels can also be a problem for those who don’t have diabetes as well as it is said to promote the effects of aging and some chronic diseases.

Keep your blood sugar levels stable by adding some apple cider vinegar in your meal. Either mix and drink as suggested above, or go ahead and make a delicious salad dressing, coleslaw, or mayonnaise with this special ingredient. For an extra dose, take two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed.

8. Help Your Heart Health

Apple cider vinegar can be an effective heart health promoter as well. Several factors that are associated with heart and cardiovascular disease have been shown to improve with higher consumption of vinegar. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels tend to decrease with an increased intake of apple cider vinegar, and the antioxidants in apple cider vinegar help to protect particles in the body from being oxidized, which is a main stage in the process of heart disease.

As heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in most western countries, take the time to indulge in some daily doses of apple cider vinegar by mixing a little in your glass of water and by trying out new ways to preserve food with the vinegar or to use it in your cooking.

With so many great uses of apple cider vinegar, it can be hard to know where to stop when it comes to remedies and treatments. As it is a gentle yet effective treatment, these 8 hacks can be tried liberally for optimal effectiveness and health results. Have fun getting creative with your apple cider vinegar mixes, drinks, and dishes, and before you know it, you’ll be eating healthy and feeling great with the many benefits of this powerful substance.