Apple cider vinegar benefits are plentiful. Its wide-ranging uses (rivaling the number of
uses of tea tree oil
and other nifty natural helpers) include everything from curing hiccups
to alleviating cold symptoms, and some people have turned to apple
cider vinegar to help fight diabetes, cancer, heart problems, high
cholesterol, and weight issues. Read on for more reasons to keep apple
cider vinegar handy in your pantry.
Adapted by Alyssa Jung from Kitchen Cabinet Cures (Reader's Digest Association Books)
Apple cider vinegar helps tummy troubles.
Sip
some apple cider vinegar mixed with water. If a bacterial infection is
at the root of your diarrhea, apple cider vinegar could help contain the
problem, thanks to its antibiotic properties. What's more, some folk
remedy experts contend that apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which
can help soothe intestinal spasms. Try mixing one or two tablespoons
into water, or clear juice like apple juice.
Apple cider vinegar cures hiccups.
Take
a teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar; its sour taste could stop a
hiccup in its tracks. One teen took the hiccup remedy further and
created a lollipop
that includes apple cider vinegar, which she says "cancels out the
message to hiccup" by overstimulating the nerves in the throat
responsible for the spasms.
Apple cider vinegar soothes a sore throat.
As
soon as you feel the prickle of a sore throat, employ germ-busting
apple cider vinegar to help head off the infection at the pass. Turns
out, most germs can't survive in the acidic environment vinegar creates.
Just mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup warm water and gargle
every hour or so.
Apple cider vinegar could lower cholesterol.
More research is needed to definitively link apple cider vinegar and its capability to lower cholesterol in humans, but
one 2006 study
found that the acetic acid in the vinegar lowered bad cholesterol in
rats. Also, a Japanese study found that half an ounce of apple cider
vinegar a day lowered cholesterol in people who participated in the
panel.
Apple cider vinegar prevents indigestion.
Sip
before eating, especially if you know you're going to indulge in foods
that will make you sorry later. Try this folk remedy: add 1 teaspoon of
honey and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and
drink it 30 minutes before you dine.
Apple cider vinegar clears a stuffy nose.
Next
time you're stuffed up, grab the apple cider vinegar. It contains
potassium, which thins mucus; and the acetic acid in it prevents
bacteria growth, which could contribute to nasal congestion. Mix a
teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink to help
sinus drainage.
Apple cider vinegar aids in weight loss.
Apple
cider vinegar can help you lose weight. Here's why: The acetic acid
suppresses your appetite, increases your metabolism, and reduces water
retention. Scientists also theorize that apple cider vinegar interferes
with the body's digestion of starch, which means fewer calories enter
the bloodstream.
Apple cider vinegar gets rid of dandruff.
On
his website, Dr. Mehmet Oz recommends apple cider vinegar as a dandruff
treatment. The acidity of apple cider vinegar changes
the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Mix 1/4 cup
apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water in a spray bottle, and
spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let sit for 15
minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week
for best results.
Apple cider vinegar clears acne.
Apple
cider vinegar makes a great natural toner that can leave skin looking
healthier. Its antibacterial properties help keep acne under control,
and the malic and lactic acids found in apple cider vinegar soften and
exfoliate skin, reduce red spots, and balance the pH of your skin.
Apple cider vinegar boosts energy.
Exercise
and sometimes extreme stress cause lactic acid to build up in the body,
causing fatigue. Interestingly, the amino acids contained in apple
cider vinegar act as an antidote. What's more, apple cider vinegar
contains potassium and enzymes that may relieve that tired feeling. Next
time you're beat, add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a
glass of chilled vegetable drink or to a glass of water.
Apple cider vinegar cuts down on nighttime leg cramps.
Leg
cramps can often be a sign that you're low in potassium. Since apple
cider vinegar is high in it, one home remedy suggests mixing 2
tablespoons apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon honey to a glass of
warm water and drink to relieve nighttime leg cramps. Of course, by the
time you walk to the kitchen to put the drink together, your cramp is
likely to be history—but maybe that's the point.
Apple cider vinegar banishes bad breath.
If
proper brushing and mouthwash doesn't do the trick, try the home remedy
of using apple cider vinegar to control bad breath. Gargle with it, or
drink a teaspoon (diluted with water if you prefer) to kill odor-causing
bacteria.
Apple cider vinegar whitens teeth.
Gargle
with apple cider vinegar in the morning. The vinegar helps remove
stains, whiten teeth, and kill bacteria in your mouth and gums. Brush as
usual after you gargle. You can also brush your teeth with baking soda
once a week to help remove stains and whiten your teeth; use it just as
you would toothpaste. You can also use salt as an alternative
toothpaste. If your gums start to feel raw, switch to brushing with salt
every other day.
Apple cider vinegar fades bruises.
Apple
cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties; dabbing or laying an
apple cider vinegar compress on a bruise can help fade the
discoloration.
Apple cider vinegar helps control blood sugar.
A few swigs of apple cider vinegar could help keep your blood sugar levels balanced, according to
several studies that have shown a link between the two.
One study
of people with type 2 diabetes who weren't taking insulin found that
taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed resulted in
lower glucose levels by morning.
Another study
at the Arizona State University found that insulin resistant people who
drank a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water before eating a high
carbohydrate meal had lower blood sugar afterward. Scientists think the
antiglycemic effect of the acid is the key.
Source: rd.com / readersdigest.com