Apple vinegar

Apple vinegar has been used as a natural remedy for various ailments since ancient times. In fact, it is an ancient remedy. It seems that we are becoming more aware of these benefits today, even if they have always been present in the shadows. The last period of time has made researchers increasingly focus on the effects and benefits of apple vinegar on human health.

Many people try to improve their lives by making healthier choices and choosing to consume BIO products and foods as natural as possible. Precisely for this reason you will see apple vinegar present almost everywhere you look for information about health, healthy food and natural remedies for various problems.

What is apple vinegar and how is it obtained?

Apple vinegar is simply fermented apple juice without any chemicals or other compounds added.

To make apple vinegar, the apples are crushed and yeast is added over them. By doing this, the natural sugar in the apple is fermented over time and turned into alcohol (as is the case with grapes to obtain wine).

Sounds like a process of making apple cider, doesn't it? The process is similar. The difference is that apple vinegar is fermented twice - once to make alcoholic cider and the second time to make it vinegar.

Use of apple vinegar

Vinegar is used for cooking, baking and especially in salad dressings, but can also be used as a preservative. It has a lot of acid, so it is not recommended to drink it directly. It can cause problems such as erosion of tooth enamel.

If you want to use apple vinegar, you need to know that it can help you no matter how it is used - internally or externally. Specifically, it can be consumed in salads or as a dilute solution for internal administration, but it can also be applied externally, on the skin, in various situations, such as sunburn or even acne.

Internal use (dosage for drinking): If you want to drink apple vinegar, then you should mix one to two teaspoons of apple vinegar in a glass of water, one hour after a meal or half an hour before eating.

External use (for application to skin or hair): For use on skin, the ratio of apple vinegar to water must be 1: 3. This means adding a part of apple vinegar and three times more water.

Benefits of apple vinegar

Vinegar has been used as a remedy for centuries. The ancient Greeks treated his wounds with it. In recent years, people have explored apple vinegar and discovered the following benefits:

• Reducing blood sugar: Acetic acid prevents the complete digestion of complex carbohydrates. This is done either by speeding up the process by which food leaves the stomach or by increasing the absorption of glucose into the tissues of the body. Thus, the body has more time to metabolize sugar in the blood and thus prevents increased blood sugar.
• Weight loss: Consumption of one to two tablespoons of apple vinegar diluted in a cup of water before or during a meal can have a satiating effect. (Japanese scientists have found that apple vinegar may help fight obesity.)
• Fighting dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis: lightly spray the scalp with a solution of apple vinegar and water, fights persistent dandruff flakes, itching and irritation. Vinegar acetic acid can change the pH of the scalp and thus can even treat seborrheic dermatitis.
• Sunburn: Can be added to a cold bath or mixed with cold water and lightly sprayed on the affected areas (avoiding the face) to relieve pain and discomfort.
• Acne - Can help dry out pimples when a solution containing apple vinegar is dabbed on them. It should be combined with water before applying it on the face, as it can cause skin damage if not diluted enough.
• Sore throat: it is said that drinks made from apple vinegar and gargle with them, relieve sore throat (pharyngitis). A basic recipe for these drinks - a teaspoon of apple vinegar, a teaspoon of honey and a small pinch of pepper, all mixed in a cup of warm water.
• Body odor: can control the smell of feet and armpits, helping to balance the pH of the skin and fight bacteria that cause body odor.
• Gives hair shine: for brighter hair, use apple vinegar to rinse your hair. Dilute a tablespoon of vinegar in a cup of warm water and rinse your hair after shampooing.
• Easy toner: Apple vinegar has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It also helps balance the pH of your skin. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar with two tablespoons of water. Using a cotton pad and apply the solution on the face after cleansing and before applying the cream - as you would normally use a facial toner.
• Muscle pain and mild back pain: Because apple vinegar contains acetic acid, it penetrates and warms the muscles. It also provides temporary relief for low to moderate levels of back pain. Mix equal proportions of apple vinegar and water and massage the affected area.
• Treating bruises: Put undiluted apple vinegar on a clean cotton pad and apply it to the bruise as a compress. This should help heal and reduce the size of the bruise.
• Treatment for colds and flu: To a cup of warm water, add a tablespoon of apple vinegar and a tablespoon of honey. This mixture is drunk like tea. You can repeat this after three or four hours.

In addition to the health benefits, apple vinegar can also be used for:

Fruit fly trap: pour apple vinegar into a cup and add a few drops of dishwashing detergent.

Boiled eggs: adding vinegar to the water you use to boil eggs can help you get much better boiled eggs.

Fruit washing: apple vinegar removes many chemical residues or pesticides and helps destroy any dangerous bacteria that may be on food.

Side effects and risks of apple vinegar

Due to its high acidity, consuming a large amount of apple vinegar can damage your teeth, irritate your throat and cause stomach discomfort. In addition, take into account:

• may cause a drop in potassium levels - muscles and nerves need potassium to function properly.
• can slow down the speed at which foods and fluids move from the stomach to the intestine - slower digestion makes it harder to control blood sugar.
• may make some medicines not work as well - these include medicines for diabetes and heart disease, as well as diuretics (medicines that help your body eliminate water and salt) and laxatives.

And, of course, its strong taste may not be for everyone. In short, apple vinegar does not seriously harm your health. Thus, you can introduce it in your daily meals, because it does not contain calories, adds a lot of flavor to food and has health benefits.

Did you know that...?

• Apple vinegar can also be used successfully as a natural cleaning agent, as it is not toxic at all.
• In the 19th century, apple vinegar was promoted as a remedy for gout and other diseases.
• Many people use apple vinegar solutions to cure bruises.
• The famous Greek physician Hippocrates recommended apple vinegar for the treatment of coughs and colds.
• The Italian doctor Tommaso Del Garbo, during a plague outbreak in 1348, washed his hands, face and mouth with vinegar in the hope of preventing infection and this had positive consequences.

Conclusion

Since ancient times, people often used apple vinegar for its recognized benefits. The time has passed, but its healing properties have remained!

Whether you are looking for a solution to get rid of dandruff, sore throat or extra pounds or want to reduce your blood sugar - apple vinegar can help you through its healing properties.