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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

ACV is a delicious addition to salad dressings, homemade pickles and marinades; but I have reason to believe its benefits well exceed that of taste. I find myself recommending ACV to friends for a variety of reasons, and I too make the up-most use of this type of vinegar.

AVC – What is it?

Apple cider vinegar is produced from cider or apple must (crushed and aged apples), which are fermented until the sugars turn into vinegar. The unfiltered cider contains the “mother of vinegar”, which is the part that contains the most benefits.

ACV is a natural bacteria fighter containing minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine. It is brown-yellow in colour and has been said to hold many benefits including weight loss, acne, digestion, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation, heartburn and possibly even help fight diseases.

AVC – What I use it for:

DIGESTION

One reason I use ACV is for digestion. Simply put, it makes my stomach feel better. I mix one tablespoon in a small glass of lukewarm water and drink it prior to a meal and/or after eating.  ACV can help stimulate Hydrochloric Acid which is responsible for breaking down food. The better you breakdown food, the more your body can absorb and make what it needs from that food. In addition, if you are someone who suffers from an underactive stomach and experience bloating, cramps, gas, belching or get the feeling of being “over full” after a meal, try ACV. Mind you, if you experience those symptoms after eating an unhealthy meal, I strongly recommend you clean up your diet first.

FAT BURNING

Another reason I choose to swig back this bitter substance is to help my body burn fat. Do I think this will help someone who is clinically obese reduce body fat? Yes, but only if it’s part of a bigger picture; coupled with exercise and healthy eating. Myself, I eat well and for my goals. Without any particular change to my diet I noticed an improved body composition after a few weeks of drinking ACV daily. With that said, it may just be that punch in the face your metabolism needs to shake that last couple pounds. Scientifically, ACV’s acetic acid has been shown to suppress the accumulation of body fat and liver lipids. It’s also believed that its pectin may slightly reduce your body’s ability to absorb fat. If I want a real kick, I’ll add a few shakes of cayenne pepper to my water and ACV – probably better, safer, cheaper and more effective than those terrible “fat burner” pills.

ACV – What I recommend it for

Apple cider vinegar is an amazing natural substance that has said to been used to effectively treat and heal many common illnesses/ailments. Luckily for me, I don’t suffer from most if any of these illnesses, so I can’t guarantee its effectiveness. However, I have had clients and friends with some common issues and I quickly recommend ACV to relieve the following:

ACID REFLUX

An older woman whom I’ve been training for the past couple of years pops Tums like it’s her job. I keep telling her to stop the Tums and start drinking ACV! The acetic acid in ACV lowers stomach acidity; increasing its pH, which may help relieve conditions such as heartburn and acid reflux. Unfortunately, this client has yet to take my advice and continues to eat those useless chalky tabs. So please, if you suffer from acid reflux, try this and get back to me!

PSORAISIS

Psoriasis is an extremely common skin condition that causes skin to be dry, itchy, red and flaky. I’ve had friends complain about it, so I recommend ACV. Diluting a couple tablespoons of ACV in a spray bottle full of water, and then lightly spraying the affected area(s) has been said to clear up psoriasis quickly and effectively. Why go to your doctor for some expensive, smelly cream when help is available naturally and for less than 7 bucks? One friend got back to me after trying this and said the psoriasis on his scalp was gone after a couple treatments.

ACV – Other Uses

Although there isn’t much solid, scientific proof of the following, I have no doubt that AVC can also help with:

• Acne
• Athlete’s Foot
• Heart Health
• Kidney Stones
• Nails
• Rosacea
• Sunburn
• Vaginal Irritation
• Animal Care
• Arthritis
• Blood Pressure
• Gout
• Hair Loss
• Sore Throat
• Menopause
• Acid Reflux
• Pink Eye
• Salad Dressings
• Toner
• Weight loss
• Moles/Scars/Lesions
• Cleaning
• Energy!

ACV – How to take it

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is the only way to go! That stuff you see floating around in the bottle is the “mother vinegar” and it holds almost all of its health benefits. Shake well before using.

Start by taking 1 tablespoon of ACV diluted into a 12 ounce glass of lukewarm water. You can slowly increase that dosage to 2-3 tablespoons per day if needed. Consume prior to eating or during times of stomach discomfort.

Yes, it has a distinct smell and tastes sour. If you can’t handle it, I say stop being a suck and drink it for your health.

Cheers!!

References:

Roberts, Jeff. “12 Reasons Why Apple Cider Vinegar Will Revolutionize Your Health.” Collective Evolution. 2 June 2014. Web. 20 May 2015.

Kondo, T. “Acetic acid upregulates the expression of genes for fatty acid oxidation enzymes in liver to suppress body fat accumulation.” Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2009. PubMed.gov.