Last week, I wrote about the different types of vinegars and wrote a short paragraph about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. There are so many more interesting uses for apple cider vinegar that I could not resist giving you more information about it.
According to Readers Digest, besides the possibility of weight loss, healthier hair and skin, these are the health benefits claimed to come from apple cider vinegar:
1. For an upset stomach, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with water, juice or apple juice. If the stomachache is a bacterial infection, the antibiotic properties will soothe an upset stomach. The pectin in the vinegar soothes intestinal spasms.
2. To treat hiccups, 1 teaspoon will stop it. The sour taste could be the reason.
3. To treat a sore throat, make a mixture of 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup water and gargle once every hour until the mixture is used up.
4. To reduce cholesterol, 1 tablespoon per day seems to lower cholesterol because the acetic acid in vinegar fights off cholesterol. In a Japanese study, participants drank 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and their cholesterol was lowered.
5. To stop indigestion after a heavy meal, mix together 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink it 30 minutes before indulging in that heavy meal, such as at Thanksgiving time.
6. To clear congestion and nasal stuffiness, drink 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar and a glass of water. The potassium in apple cider vinegar thins the mucus and the acid in the vinegar reduces bacteria in the nasal cavities.
7. As mentioned in my column last week, apple cider vinegar seems to help people lose weight. The acid in the apple cider vinegar suppresses appetite and increases the metabolism, causing more calories to be burned. Apple cider vinegar also helps the body eliminate harmful water retention.
8. To treat dry scalp and dandruff, mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup of water and apply directly to the scalp or place in a spray bottle and spray directly to your scalp, then wrap your head with a towel for 15 minutes and up to an hour, then shampoo as usual. Do this twice a week for best results.
9. To treat blemishes and acne, apply apple cider vinegar directly to the face. The vinegar is a great natural toner and its anti-bacterial properties kill bacteria to help prevent acne from forming. The malic and lactic acids soften and exfoliate the skin, reduce red spots and balance the pH of the skin.
10. When under extreme stress or from exercise, the lactic acid in your muscles can be relieved by the potassium and enzymes in apple cider vinegar. That boost of vinegar helps relieve the tired feeling. One to 2 tablespoons with water or chilled vegetable juice will increase energy levels.
11. To prevent harsh leg cramps at night, drink 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon of honey and warm water. The potassium helps prevent cramps.
12. For bad breath, gargling diluted apple cider vinegar kills germs in your mouth,
13. Apple cider vinegar safely and naturally eliminates staining on teeth.
14. For treating bruising caused by broken or inflamed arteries and veins, apply apple cider vinegar directly to the bruises. Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties.
15. To improve blood sugar levels, according to a study by Arizona State University, apple cider vinegar prevents and slows the breakdown of starches in the digestion process. When this happens, blood sugar benefits and is not elevated as high as it normally would be.
16. Drinking apple cider vinegar can reduce blood pressure levels.
17. To prevent some cancers. Apple cider vinegar has high amounts of polyphenols, also found in wine, which can help reduce the risk of certain cancers and can fight the free radicals in your body.
18. For severe sunburn pain, soaking in apple cider vinegar will stop the pain.
Here’s a morning “tea” to get you going for the rest of the day. Think of it as your “apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I am drinking this tea because I occasionally have leg cramps. That first sip is the hardest as the sourness is overpowering. But don’t give up. Keep sipping it. In time you will get used to it.
Apple Cider Tea
Makes: One drink
12-16 ounces hot water
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (I recommend Bragg’s organic apple cider vinegar)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon raw, local honey
Mix together and enjoy.
Foodie bites
• The Bragg organic apple cider vinegar is raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, naturally gluten-free, with The “Mother.” It’s acidity is 5 percent.
• To treat athlete’s foot, soak your feet in a solution of one part vinegar to four parts warm water.
• Vinegars are one of those wonderful foods that have zero calories.
• Washing your scalp with vinegar reminded me of when I was in college. We had a speaker talk about how mayonnaise rubbed on the hair made it shiny. Needless to say, I could smell the mayonnaise in my hair for several days, even after washing my hair everyday.
Email me at audreywilson808@gmail.com.
