Apple cider vinegar is making it’s come back in a big way. Welcome to Hollywood! This cloudy brown, bitter stuff is mainly found covered in dust and rarely touched in kitchen pantries across the country, that is until now. Celebs are flocking to this old folk remedy in an attempt to keep their figures. Fergie, for example, told People magazine that she takes two tablespoons of the raw apple-cider vinegar twice a day, once before lunch and once before dinner in order to stay slim. So all I have to do is drink this stuff and I’ll lose weight? Not quite! While we can dream, a lot more research needs to be done on the several anecdotal benefits of apple cider vinegar. Here is what we DO know.
For thousands of years apple cider vinegar has been used as a remedy or treatment for all kinds of health issues. Dating back to the time of Hippocrates in 370 BC, vinegar has been touted to lower cholesterol, improve digestion, aide in weight loss, and clear up acne, among other topical applications.
In terms of weight loss or management it’s understood that apple cider vinegar taken before a meal will help you feel satisfied or full more quickly, meaning you’ll probably eat less. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this effect is attributed to vinegar’s sour and bitter taste. Sour and bitter flavors reduce accumulations in the liver and abdomen resulting from a diet rich in fats and red meat. It’s said to drain “damp” conditions which include swelling, acne, and obesity. Helping with that bloated feeling and retaining access water! Bitter vinegar also increases intestinal muscle contractions, meaning your food moves more quickly through you and thus increasing your metabolism.
The sour quality of apple cider vinegar is most active in the liver where it breaks down excess fats and protein – one reason vinegar is used in detox programs. It also helps one’s digestion by dissolving minerals for easier absorption. Sounds fantastic!
I know how great I feel after drinking Kombucha (another awesome vinegar elixir), so I’m interested to test apple cider vinegar out. Wanna try? Here’s the mix:
Drink It: 1/3 cup water mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar two or three times daily. Add 1 teaspoon of honey for more effectiveness.
Eat It: Try a few teaspoons on your salad mixed with olive oil.
Have you ever taken apple cider vinegar and felt any benefits? Let me know in the comments!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been drinking ACV for about 2 months. I drink it 3 or 4 times a day. I just take a swig out of the bottle so I don’t really know how much it amounts to. Anyway, the first thing I noticed was that I had more energy. Then I noticed that I was dropping weight. (About 5.5 pounds so far) The best thing though is that my periods are so much better. I had very heavy periods, but not anymore. That makes the taste worth it.
I have been taking unflitered apple cider vinegar that was made by bragg. At first I noticed a huge amount of energy. This has helped my to keep up exercise and to stay alert in class. For some strange reason it had also treated my stomach pain that I would get everyday. This was not because of the placebo affect as I had only intended to use this for my skin. I think the reason as to why it did this was because it helps to settle down the stomach acids. The fibre found in apples also aids in digestion.
One thing that I have noticed is that I am breaking out less and my skin is more one colour. I have no idea as to why this has happened.
One thing that I would like to say is that this should not be treated as some ‘miracle’ food that will cure everything. Because something like green tea has many antioxidants and is amazingly good for you like this vinegar.
To say ‘it does not work’ or ‘it works’ is wrong. It is a great drink for your body and is an essential part of everyone’s daily needs.
Just be sure to get unfiltered apple cider vinegar, with the mother in it.
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