For the health-conscious individual who wants a natural and inexpensive way to cleanse himself from head to toe, inside and out, apple cider vinegar is an outstanding addition to the daily diet and health regimen. Made from simple fermentation processes which convert apple juice to sugar to vinegar, this tart, acidic liquid contains healthful enzymes which assist the body’s own physiological processes in a variety of ways.
Weight management
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is proven to speed up the body’s baseline metabolism, breaking down fat stores in the body and circulating in the blood in the form of cholesterol. One of its key ingredients, pectin, helps the appetite feel satisfied, and the acetic acid in ACV acts as a natural diuretic, reducing fluid retention.
Natural cleansing
ACV reduces or may completely eliminate the need for laxatives and other bowel regulating medications as it cleanses the digestive system of toxins from food and the environment and promotes efficient digestion and bowel regularity. Apple Cider Vinegar also works on the body’s own filtration system, the lymph nodes and liver, to move harmful toxins through the powerful enzymes and vitamins the vinegar contains.
Cleansing the outside, too
Many people add 1 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to their bath water at least 2 times weekly and soak in it for at least 20 minutes. This will re-balance the ph of the skin, increase its softness and pliability and decrease its itchiness in the dry winter months. ACV is known to reduce fungal and bacterial growth on the skin and is shown to improve acne lesions and fade age spots.
What Kind of Apple Cider Vinegar to Use
Make a trip to your local health food store or organic co-op for ACV at its purest and most potent best. Avoid the overly processed, clear kind of vinegar, and purchase the kind that is unfiltered and unpasteurized. If you select vinegar that is cloudy, especially at the bottom of the container, you have made a wise choice as this vinegar is organic and rich with beneficial vitamins and enzymes.
In addition, some individuals actually make their own Apple Cider Vinegar. Check online for the ingredients, recipe and other details needed to manufacture your own homemade supply.
Some Cautions
As with any kind of health supplement or dietary change, moderation is important. Do not use Apple Cider Vinegar to excess as it can lower the body’s potassium levels and could cause changes in bone density. Also, too much ACV could interfere with the action of some diuretics (water pills) and diabetic medications.
How to Drink ACV
If you like the taste of Apple Cider Vinegar straight up, you may mix 1 to 2 tablespoons into a glass of water and drink with a meal. Or, you may try adding other ingredients such as lemon juice, green tea or cranberry juice.
Lemon juice and ACV are combined in a 1 tablespoon to 1 tablespoon ratio in a glass of water. Ingredients:
- 1 glass of water
- 1 Tbsp. quality ACV
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- Honey to taste
The tea or cranberry juice provides a 1 cup base to which the vinegar and honey (for sweetness) may be added. Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup pure cranberry juice
- 1 Tbsp. quality ACV
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- Water to dilute
- Honey to taste
All these ingredients work together to enhance the metabolic and cleansing benefits of the vinegar and make it more palatable, too.
Check online for drink recipes using Apple Cider Vinegar. Also, feel free to experiment with making and enjoying this powerhouse of vitamin and enzymatic action.
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