Table of Contents
The Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice
The term “probiotics” does not immediately spring to mind as a health benefit. In fact, many people are put off by the idea of drinking uncooked, fermented foods like vinegar and yogurt. However, what most people don’t know is that both of these have a multitude of benefits when consumed in moderation. In this article, we explore the health benefits of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, and why you should embrace them in your everyday life.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Although it’s often associated with beer, vinegar has a long and rich history as a health drink. In fact, it’s the drink of the medieval nobility and is still widely consumed in parts of Europe and Asia. What’s more, recent studies have even suggested that consuming small amounts of vinegar may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Healthy stomach acid is essential for our bodies in so many ways. It helps break down food so we can absorb the nutrients and safely excrete the toxins. It also helps with digestion, making it important for us to consume fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.
Benefits of Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has long been used as a natural antioxidant and as a remedy for a variety of conditions. One study even suggests that drinking 2 tablespoons of lemon juice before bedtime may reduce the risk of having a bad sleeping fit the next day.
Healthy stomach acid is essential for our bodies in so many ways. It helps with digestion, making it important for us to consume fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.
Contains important minerals – Lemon juice is packed with important minerals, such as zinc, iron, and manganese.
Active source of vitamin C – Because it’s made up of 8 simple elements, lemon juice can also boost your vitamin C levels in your body.
Strong antioxidant – A study found that consuming 2 tablespoons of lemon juice daily for two weeks significantly reduced blood pressure in healthy people.
Effective against infection – One study found that consuming 2 tablespoons of lemon juice three times a week for three months significantly reduced the level of infection in healthy people.
Effective against inflammation – Another study found that consuming 2 tablespoons of lemon juice before bedtime reduced the inflammation in the body, making you feel less exhausted the next day.
Healthy Skin & Nails – Because acids in food prevent our skin and nails from becoming too dry and falling off, drinking plenty of water and eating the right kinds of vegetables is so important.
Benefits of Vinegar
Although it’s often associated with beer, vinegar has a long and rich history as a health drink. In fact, it’s the drink of the medieval nobility and is still widely consumed in parts of Europe and Asia. What’s more, recent studies have even suggested that consuming small amounts of vinegar may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Healthy stomach acid is essential for our bodies in so many ways. It helps with digestion, making it important for us to consume fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.
Contains important minerals – Vinegar is packed with important minerals, such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Effective against infection – One study found that consuming 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar before bedtime reduced the risk of having a cold.
Effective against inflammation – Another study found that consuming 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar before bedtime reduced the inflammation in the body, making you feel less exhausted the next day.
Healthy Skin & Nails – Because acids in food prevent our skin and nails from becoming too dry and falling off, drinking plenty of water and eating the right kinds of vegetables is so important.
Benefits of Lacto-Fermented Foods
Although it’s often associated with dairy, Lacto-fermented foods also have a plethora of health benefits.
In this article, we explore the health benefits of fermented vegetables, fish, and fruit, and why you should embrace them in your everyday life.
Healthy Guts – fermented foods contain good bacteria, which is essential for our gut to stay healthy and unclogged.
Strong Bile – Bile is natural oil produced by the liver and gallbladder.
Effective against infection – One study found that consuming 1 tablespoon of fermented cabbage before bedtime for six days reduced the number of bacteria in the stomach, making you less likely to have a stomachache.
Effective against inflammation – One study found that consuming 1/2 cup of Miso soup before bedtime for six days reduced the level of inflammation in the body, making you feel less exhausted the next day.
Effective against cholesterol – One study found that consuming 2 tablespoons of chive and 2 tablespoons of cilantro after workouts significantly boosted the amount of Vitamin E in the blood, preventing blood clots.
Healthy Skin & Nails – As acids in food prevent our skin and nails from becoming too dry and falling off, drinking plenty of water and eating the right kinds of vegetables is so important.
Conclusion
The benefits of drinking unpasteurized, homemade, or fermented foods are almost too numerous to count.
The only downside to this is that it takes a bit of effort to consume these foods on a daily basis.
If you’re ready to give drinking raw or fermented foods a try, we recommend starting with one of the easiest options – applesauce or kimchi. Both of these can be made at home and contain a variety of beneficial bacteria.
If you love apples and want to try fermented food, sauerkraut is one of the most popular fermented vegetables.
Ready to get started? Get your head on straight with these easy steps:
- Pick a fermented food – Some fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, miso, natto, and kimchi are easy to make at home, while others such as rice, Dakshina, and miso noodles are quite challenging.
- Wash it well – To maximize the nutritional benefits of your fermented food, make sure it’s well washed. Unfettered vegetables retain fewer nutrients than fermented foods and require more work to create the desired flavor.
- Cultivate – Once you have fermented food in your possession, the next step is to cultivate the goodness inside of it. This may require you to mix, cook, and consume your fermented food regularly.
Depending on your needs and preferences, fermented foods can range from savory to sweet. The only limit is your imagination!