Did you know that apples have more than 175 proven health benefits? We certainly didn’t until we started experimenting with apple cider vinegar (ACV)!
We’re not talking about the subtle effects of ACV like the tingle it gives you from the natural tartness. We mean the real benefits of this healthy superfood. Did you know that apple cider vinegar has been used to treat stomach issues, dental problems, ulcers, gallbladder issues, diabetes, and high cholesterol? Read on to know more about the benefits of apple cider vinegar and how it can help you in your everyday life.
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Boosts Immune System
This might sound too good to be true! But it’s true! Apple cider vinegar has been shown to boost immune function by 85 percent. Why is this? It’s because ACV is a natural disinfectant and antibacterial, making it an ideal choice for cleaning and disinfecting your home.
Let’s face it, when we’re feeling a little under the weather, we don’t really want to clean and disinfect our home. But when we do it ourselves, we get lazy and just let the ACV sit on the counter or in the cabinet!
Now, those microbes in your kitchen are not friends of ours. So, it’s a great idea to disinfect and clean your kitchen regularly with ACV.
Helps Weight Loss
Weight loss is a big deal, especially during the winter when we all get stuck in a rut and crave comfort foods. One thing that keeps us from losing weight is our unhealthy lifestyles, including eating too much unhealthy food and not getting enough exercise.
One way to keep yourself accountable is to create a chart in your head when you’re eating a snack or a meal that’s not healthy for you. Write down what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. This can help remind you of what you’re doing to yourself and why it’s not healthy.
Another way apple cider vinegar can help you with weight loss is by boosting metabolism. Why is this? Bacteria in our gut metabolize a lot of our food and when we’re eating unhealthy foods, there are more harmful bacteria in our gut than there should be.
When we drink ACV, it provides beneficial bacteria that help metabolize food more quickly and helps us lose weight.
Protects Vision
Did you know that apple cider vinegar can protect your eyesight too? A study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture and the University of Georgia reported that ACV has the ability to protect the eyes from damage caused by UV rays. This is because of the antioxidant properties of ACV.
So if you’re an avid runner or biker and you constantly put your eyes at risk with the sun, you’re in luck. You can protect your eyes with just a swig of ACV.
In addition to protecting your eyes, ACV can also help treat eye dryness and increase vision by improving blood flow and oxygenation in the eyes.
Good For Heart Health
Did you also know that apple cider vinegar is good for your heart? Yes! It reduces your LDL cholesterol and increases your HDL cholesterol, thereby protecting your heart health.
It does this by making you feel fuller for longer, which can make you eat less often.
This, in turn, keeps your blood sugar and insulin levels under control, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
##ases Liver Function
Apple cider vinegar is also a natural treatment for liver issues like hepatitis, jaundice, and cirrhosis. Why is this? ACV increases bile flow in the liver, thereby helping your liver function better.
So, if you have an upset stomach, bloating, abdominal pain, or if you feel like your stools are impacted too often, you can use ACV to increase bile flow and get rid of these issues.
Just drink a glass of ACV every day after meals and your liver problems will be a thing of the past.
Can Treat Stomach Issues
Although the benefits of apple cider vinegar are endless, we’re going to talk about how to use it to treat stomach issues. One of the most common stomach issues people face is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS is a functional GI disorder characterized by abdominal pain and bloating that occur periodically or unpredictably.
Another way that apple cider vinegar can be used to treat stomach issues is by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut. This, in turn, reduces the risk of bacterial growth in the gut and prevents stomach issues.
Dental Problems
You might have known that apple cider vinegar has great dental benefits, but did you know it can also be used to treat dental problems too?
According to a study by the American Dental Association, ACV can prevent tooth decay by reducing saliva flow that causes the acid in our mouths to damage our teeth.
Saliva is acidic, so it can damage our teeth if it is not buffered and also reduces the remineralization of our teeth by bacteria. So, by drinking apple cider vinegar regularly, you can prevent tooth decay and improve the condition of your teeth.
Helps Diabetes
Another amazing health benefit of apple cider vinegar is that it can be used to treat and even prevent diabetes.
The reason why apple cider vinegar is such a great choice for diabetics is that it has the ability to regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
For those who are on insulin, you can try adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your daily insulin dosage. But be sure to consult your doctor before using this as it can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many health benefits of apple cider vinegar. This healthy superfood is definitely worth adding to your grocery list, particularly if you want to boost your immune system, get rid of any digestive issues you might have, and protect your eyesight and teeth.
