I remember as a child looking in horror as my grandmother took a small swig from the vinegar bottle, ‘it keeps your blood healthy’ she said as I shuddered. I may have been horrified, but it seems she was right.
Vinegar has been a folk remedy for centuries and is purported to help with weight loss, lowered cholesterol, and improving symptoms of diabetes. The ancient condiment is now being touted as a new health trend – especially apple cider vinegar.
It’s thought that drinking a little of this antioxidant rich elixir before a meal can help curb the appetite, as well as help with blood sugar levels.
A study recently showed that Vinegar may also help treat bowel conditions due to its acidity, and it seems that vinegar could also help ulcerative colitis, a condition which is linked to bacteria levels in the gut. They found that Vinegar and its main component acetic acid reduces symptoms in mice.
Also there have been many studies recently showing the benefits of having good bacteria, and the Chinese researchers who did this report for the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that the vinegar increases levels of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria bacteria which is beneficial for the lining of the large intestine.
If you don’t fancy drinking it, drizzling it over salads or putting it on your chips, it has other uses too that can be highly useful for people who like to keep things as natural and chemical-free as possible. These include Skin care, dental care, pet use and as a cleaning agent (to name a few).
Also as a hair conditioner it can be used for helping with an itchy, irritated scalp; just add 200ml of water to 20ml of cider vinegar, and a few drops of rosemary and lavender oil, and hey ho!
At the end of the day, apple cider vinegar appears to be very healthy. It’s not a “miracle” or a “cure-all” like some people seem to believe, but it does clearly have some important health benefits, especially for blood sugar and weight control.
20 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
Promotes bowel movements and eases constipation
Relieves heartburn
Treats ear infections
Soothes rashes
Promotes growth of healthy flora
Helps control sugar cravings
Increases energy and boosts metabolism
Disinfects wounds
Boosts immunity
Lowers blood pressure
Use as a detox to cleanse the kidneys
Drink or supplement to prevent flu
Aids weight loss by decreasing appetite and increasing fat burn
Relieves allergies and asthma symptoms
Balances the body’s pH level
Lowers cholesterol
Reduces build-up on the scalp
Taken with warm water and honey before bedtime it may help with sleep issues
Has anti-inflammatory properties
Skin toner for blemishes