Apple cider vinegar is a natural product rich in properties that can be used in the kitchen, for the well-being of the body, for beauty but which is also suitable for domestic cleaning. So let’s find out all the benefits and uses of this type of vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is an inexpensive and affordable product that can be useful in different situations: from the care of your hair to the health of the digestive system, from cleaning the refrigerator to that of the bathroom, from the well-being of the oral cavity to help in purification of the body and in weight loss and much more.
This type of vinegar is produced starting from apples that are left to ferment in water in wooden barrels until the solution reaches a certain level of acidity. At that point it is filtered, bottled and eventually left to mature again.
Of course, there are differences between the different products on the market: some are pasteurized and treated and only a few are truly natural. The industrial processes of preparation of vinegar make it a product that has largely lost its beneficial nutritional characteristics. If you intend to use it for curative purposes, it is good to choose an organic vinegar that is not pasteurized or treated and therefore really natural.
There are different types of apple cider vinegar, the best product on the market is undoubtedly the one obtained from the whole apple (i.e. from the peel, from the core and from the pulp). Most of the vinegars on the market, on the other hand, are made by excluding the pulp, the most valuable part of the apple with which compotes are generally made.
Apple cider vinegar: properties and benefits
The properties of apple cider vinegar are many and range from stomach and intestine health to strengthening immune defenses, from antioxidant to detoxifying action, etc. To get most of the benefits from this natural product, just add it to your diet daily. If you want to do a specific action, however, it is good to take it as it is every morning in the dose of two teaspoons diluted in a glass of water.
✓ Apple cider vinegar helps the stomach and intestines
Among the most interesting properties of apple cider vinegar there is undoubtedly the effect on the gastrointestinal system, this natural product, in fact, helps the work of the stomach (increases the production of digestive enzymes) and improves the health of the intestinal bacterial flora, also decreasing any problems with bloating and meteorism. This effect, for some experts, seems to be greater if apple cider vinegar contains the “mother of vinegar”, a sort of gelatinous substance rich in probiotics, the bacteria useful for the intestine.
✓ Activates the metabolism and keeps blood sugars at bay
Apple cider vinegar acts positively on the metabolism and for this reason it is often recommended as an adjuvant in weight loss. It also helps those on a diet because it decreases the sense of hunger. Its regulatory action on blood sugars is also very important.
✓ Strengthens the immune system
This type of vinegar naturally strengthens our body’s defenses by also acting directly against bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms.
✓ Detoxifies and alkalizes the body
Apple cider vinegar has a good detoxifying and alkalizing power for our body. In fact, there are those who use it as a natural purifying product.
✓ Relieves skin and mucosal problems
For external use, apple cider vinegar is also active in solving common skin problems such as acne, dermatitis, fungi, insect bites, etc. Also excellent for the mucous membranes in case of mouth ulcers, gum problems or infections of the oral cavity.
✓ Apple cider vinegar for sore throat and stuffy nose
This vinegar is also a useful remedy in case of sore throat, which helps to relieve, or stuffy nose since it can thin the mucus as well as perform an anti-infective action.
Apple cider vinegar: how to use it for health
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural remedy that we can use for the well-being of the whole body. Let’s find out the main uses:
1. Apple cider vinegar to speed up the metabolism
Apple cider vinegar helps you lose weight as it stimulates the metabolism. If you want to take advantage of this property, it should be taken before main meals in a dose of two teaspoons to be diluted in a glass of water. However, we would like to remind you that the weight loss process is based on a controlled diet and regular physical activity.
2. Check blood sugars
Apple cider vinegar has been shown to keep blood sugars at bay. It is therefore an excellent natural remedy for preventing diabetes. For this type of use, however, it is always better to seek the advice of your doctor.
3. Burns against a stuffy nose
In case of a blocked nose or cold, try to make traditional fumenti but not with chamomile and bicarbonate (more classic version) but using two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in a pot of boiling water.
4. As a depurative or to strengthen the immune system
If you want to use vinegar for purification purposes or as an aid to the immune defenses, you can drink a glass of water every morning on an empty stomach with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar dissolved inside. It is possible to sweeten everything with a little organic honey.
5. If you have a sore throat or cough
Apple cider vinegar is a remedy also used in ancient times to calm sore throats and coughs. To use it for this purpose, it can also be taken dissolved in water with the addition of a little honey.
6. Against swollen hands and feet
If you suffer from swollen hands and feet you can try soaking them in a solution of water and apple cider vinegar and enjoy this simple swelling remedy. Alternatively, you can take the vinegar as it is and put it on the areas affected by the swelling as a compress.
7. Sunburned skin or other dermatological problems
In case of sunburn or other dermatological problems, try a lukewarm bath with water in which apple cider vinegar has been dissolved (one glass). This natural product will help soothe the burning and give relief to the skin.
8. Aphthae and gingivitis
A solution of water and apple cider vinegar is also excellent against problems that can appear in the oral mucosa. It is in fact a natural mouthwash that flames and helps healing. It can be used to rinse several times a day.
Apple cider vinegar: how to use it for beauty
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent ally of our beauty. One of the most popular uses is that which sees it as a fundamental ingredient for having shiny hair. For this purpose, apple cider vinegar should be used after having done the normal washing with shampoo, at the last rinse you can add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water (do not worry the smell will not remain) and the hair after a few treatments they will appear brighter.
Also apple cider vinegar diluted in water can be used as a facial tonic instead of commercial products, mouthwash or, in the case of men, as an aftershave.
Apple cider vinegar: how to use it to clean
Apple cider vinegar is a useful, economical and ecological ingredient for household cleaning. It is a versatile product that can be used for example instead of fabric softener directly in the washing machine tray or as a more sustainable solution for unclogging sinks and drains (in this case it is better to use bicarbonate in addition to vinegar in order to enhance the effect).
Apple cider vinegar is also excellent against limescale, to remove mold, clean the bathroom (pure or diluted) or kitchen surfaces, polish metal door handles or remove stains and halos from dishes and glasses. It is also a good solution for cleaning the refrigerator and avoiding the appearance of bad smells.
How to make homemade apple cider vinegar
It is possible to make apple cider vinegar at home using organic apples in their entirety. You only need:
- 2 kg of organic apples
- Waterfall
- A glass container with a lid
The preparation is as follows:
Wash the apples well, cut them into small pieces (including cores) and place them inside the glass container. Then cover everything with cold water and let it macerate at a temperature that should be around 20-25 °, covering the container. After a few days go and check at what point your vinegar is by eliminating all the foam that has formed inside the container. Continue to macerate until the vinegar has taken its characteristic pungent aroma (this may take a few weeks). At that point filtered and bottled.
Apple cider vinegar: contraindications
Although it is a generally well tolerated natural product, apple cider vinegar has some contraindications and possible side effects to keep in mind. It is generally not recommended for those who have ulcers or suffer from osteoporosis while prolonged use could ruin the tooth enamel. If you exceed the doses, then, you can run into problems similar to those for which perhaps it was taken: indigestion, gastrointestinal disorders, nausea or skin rashes.
Availability and prices
Apple cider vinegar is a commonly used product and is found available in all supermarkets and health food stores. However, we advise you to buy it organic, especially if you want to use it for curative purposes, only in this way will you in fact ensure a product in which there are no pesticides.
The price of a good organic apple cider vinegar starts at around 5 USD per liter but can also go up to 10 USD and more. It is also very important to read the labels in order to buy quality apple cider vinegar. So be careful, the best products show the use of the peel but also of the pulp and core of the apples. On the other hand, most of the apple vinegars on the market exclude the pulp from the vinegar production as it is used for the compote.
