Apple Cider Vinegar, Natural Wonder

Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, is said to have used only two remedies: honey and apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made by the fermentation of apple cider. During this process, sugar in the apple cider is broken down by bacteria and yeast into alcohol and then into vinegar. Raw apple cider vinegar is not pasteurized. It is made from nutritious, organically grown apples and retains many of the fruit’s beneficial components. It gets fermented twice, producing enzymes and life- giving nutrients that are the reason apple cider vinegar has been used for hundreds of years for its medicinal properties. These nutrients are contained in what is called the mother of the vinegar which can be seen floating around or settled on the bottom of the bottle. That’s why you should always shake your vinegar before serving.

Apple Cider Vinegar has several beneficial ingredients which enable it to work its magic, helping us feel better and look better:

• Malic Acid – gives ACV the properties of being anti-viral, anti-bacterial & anti-fungal
• Acetic Acid –slows the digestion of starch which can help to lower the rise in glucose that commonly occurs after meals, helps absorption of calcium
• Pectin – helps to regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol
• Calcium – helps create strong bones and teeth
• Ash – gives ACV its alkaline property which aids your body in maintaining proper pH levels for a healthy alkaline state
• Potassium – helps to prevent brittle teeth, hair loss and runny noses

Apple Cider Vinegar is said to cure more ailments than any other folk remedy. It has been successfully used for heartburn, bowel irregularity, to aid in weight loss, diabetes, dandruff, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, skin conditions, joint pain and stiffness and yeast infections. Of course, there's also my magic cough syrup which features apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar should be mixed in water with a little honey or agave nectar before drinking. When I started taking it, I would just swallow a tablespoonful straight. I had a particularly tart batch and wanted to get each dose over with quickly. (Now I use Bragg's which has a milder flavor!) It turns out, though, that it should be diluted due to its very acidic nature. Additionally, it ensures that you're drinking water. I'm not very good with that, so this way I can kill a couple of birds with one stone.

You can start by mixing 1 tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water and drinking once a day. Then, you may want to start having it after every meal. If you're interested in taking it for high blood pressure or diabetes, you should consult your doctor first, especially if you're on medication.
Finally, I advise you to take the real thing. Apple cider vinegar supplements are processed and unregulated. A bottle of organic, raw apple cider vinegar is probably less expensive anyway. Remember, you'll probably have to go to a health food store to get it because the stuff you find in most supermarkets is usually void of the mystical wonders of this ancient cure-all.