Why Apple Cider Vinegar Is Best Friend

Invented in 5000 BC, apple cider vinegar went from a medicinal liquid to a pantry staple.  Apple cider vinegar was used to manage wounds, treat poison ivy, relieve stomach aches, and even aided with symptoms related to diabetes.  Over time, the vinegar evolved into something we use almost daily with our favorite food recipes.  In present day, vinegar is still used for the same medical benefits, cooking, household chores, and more!

What is Vinegar?

Vinegar is simply fermented acids found in grapes, dates, potatoes, and apples.  Apple cider vinegar specifically is crushed apples that soak in a hard alcohol cider 3-4 weeks and strained into a thin liquid.  Raw apple cider vinegar never goes bad, but may need to be strained before use if it sits for a long period of time.  If using while cooking, if the taste of the vinegar becomes too strong you can add water.

In Your Body

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”….literally!  Daily consumption of apple cider vinegar can keep you healthy and relieve symptoms of everyday illnesses and issues we all struggle with at some point.  I have been pleased to see that something as simple as adding apple cider vinegar to a beverage can bring so much relief to common illnesses. 

Sinus Congestion

When you are feeling congested, consume a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.  The vinegar contains potassium that breaks up and reduce mucus in your body.  It also contains antibacterial properties which help fight against infection.  Sore throat while congested?  You can gargle 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water for instant relief. 

Digestion and Acid Reflux

Acid reflux happens if you have too little acid in your stomach.  You can easily find relief by improving the acid content in your stomach by taking one tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water daily or before a large meal.  The apple pectin is a type of fiber which makes you feel fuller and helps soothe intestinal spasms that cause pesty pain after a meal.

Hiccups

Taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar can stop hiccups in their tracks.  One smart fellow took this idea and turned it into a business and created suckers that are apple cider vinegar flavored.  The suckers are said to “cancel out the message to a hiccup” by over stimulating the nerves in the throat responsible for the spasms, hiccups.    

Dandruff

Dandruff is yeast that eventually what dries and becomes dead skin resulting in dandruff on your favorite black sweater.  The acidity of apple cider vinegar can change the pH balance of your scalp making it hard for yeast to grow.  Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water in a spray bottle and spray on your scalp.  Wrap your head in a towel for about 15 minutes and then wash with your regular shampoo. Do this twice a week.

Fades Bruises and Reduces Acne

An anti inflammatory property in apple cider vinegar can help to fade the discoloration of a bruise.  Simply dab or lay an apple cider vinegar compress to your bruise.  It’s also a great natural toner that can leave your skin looking healthier.  The malic and lactic acids found in the vinegar help to soften and exfoliate your skin, reducing red spots and balancing pH levels.  The same antibacterial properties that fight your sinus congestion also fight your acne and clear up your skin.

Apple cider vinegar can also help with bigger health issues such as:

• heart health
•  diabetes
• weight loss
• mood enhancement.

In Your Home

Don’t waste money on cleaning products that contain ingredients you can’t pronounce off the back of the bottle.  Use a natural cleaning agent such as apple cider vinegar to help with those pesky household chores. 

Neutralize Odors

Do you have a pet that leaves a sour smell in your home?  No need to spend money on air fresheners that have obnoxious smells and are only a temporary fix.  Simply set out a bowl of apple cider vinegar in the room you smell the odor the most and within hours you’ll notice that the odor has been neutralized.

Clean Your Devices

If you truly knew how many germs lived on your TV remote, cell phone, iPad, and other digital devices you’d never want to touch them again.  In a small bottle, mix 2 parts water with 1 part apple cider vinegar and dampen a cloth and wipe your devices.  The antibacterial properties not only kill the germs but the vinegar will also make the devices shine.

Sticky Scissors

I’ve noticed if I use scissors to cut food or anything sticky it is hard to clean without rust forming.  Instead of water, wipe them down with apple cider vinegar to get the gooey stuff off.

Ink Stains

If you’ve ever had a toddler, there is always a risk of them coloring on the wall while left unattended for a brief moment.  No worries, put apple cider vinegar, full strength, on a rag and wipe away the ink from the floors or walls. 

Unclog Drains

Mixing 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of vinegar to unclog your drains instantly.  Pour into your drain for a volcano effect, it's more effective, safer, and cheaper than the strong chemical mixtures sold in stores. 

Washing Machine

Even though your washing machine is constantly cleaning your dirty clothes with soap and water, it too needs a good cleaning every now and then.  Simply run your washing machine through a full cycle minus the clothes.  Instead of laundry soap, use 2 cups of apple cider vinegar.  This will kill any germs missed by your laundry soap.

Coffee Maker

For my caffeine craving friends, pour 2 parts vinegar and 1 part water into your coffee maker and run it at a normal brew cycle.  Cleaning your coffee maker every 2-3 months ensures the best tasting coffee.  It not only disinfects your coffee maker but also removes the coffee stains inside the pot.

Many of these benefits will also work with regular, distilled vinegar but apple cider vinegar has a better smell.  So next time you are at the store and you see a jug of apple cider vinegar, throw it in your cart!