Have you researched the benefits of apple cider vinegar?

You don’t have to look far in the world of wellness practices to hear about apple cider vinegar. It’s an ancient wellness remedy.

Used by Aristotle to treat infections and wounds over 2000 years ago, vinegar, and apple cider vinegar, has been used for it’s beneficial properties for generations.  Whether ingested or applied topically, apple cider vinegar has a reputation for a reason – it offers numerous benefits backed up by science, and by thousands of people.

Regular vinegar and apple cider vinegar is used as a non toxic cleaning agent and has been for years! We’re all for that! (plus a few essential oils too!)

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is made from crushing apples and allowing them to go through fermentation. This forms yeast, and alcohol is formed.

But isn’t yeast or fungus a “bad” thing? Not necessarily.

While we do bioenergetically scan for molds and fungus like Candida, or more pathogenic black molds, we all have been exposed to molds through our lifetime. Candida lives within your body, and can become imbalanced if the conditions are right.

When it comes to foods, and fermentation, some yeasts are used to produce fermented foods like apple cider vinegar. One strain used in food production is Saccaromyces.

From there, bacteria is introduced, producing acetic acid, the primary ingredient in most vinegars.  Some apple cider vinegars also contain “Mother,” a mixture of enzymes and other nutrients left over from the fermentation process.  It may give the apple cider vinegar a cloudy cast, but it’s perfectly normal and healthy.  

You want to purchase a vinegar with the “Mother” because it contains enzymes, and good bacteria, beneficial to your digestive system. When you see the mother in the vinegar, it is considered raw and unpasteurized.

Unpasteurized vinegar has its uses. It’s a great non toxic cleaner, and it can still be used on the body, like in a hair rinse.

If you’re intention for apple cider vinegar is for digestion, then look for an unpasteurized version, with that cloudy floating mass at the bottom of the bottle. THAT is your prebiotic goodness.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar offers a variety of health benefits, and we’ve already touched on one. Improving your digestive system. The vinegar can do this in many ways.

1. Good bacteria.
   That bacteria introduced in the fermentation process, such as Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter, Gluconobacter and Komagataeibacter  oxidise ethanol to acetic acid (1).  Bacteria like Acetobacter are considered probiotic and good for you! Why do you need to add probiotics to your foods, or as a supplement? Years of stress, illness, and antibiotics to name a few reasons. Your gut becomes imbalanced with all three, and with certain ways of eating.
2. Improved Skin:
   Because of its natural acidity, apple cider vinegar may regulate the PH balance of your skin, reducing blemishes and rough, irritated skin.  Additionally, people with eczema have reported improvements in their condition after using a diluted apple cider vinegar formula.  To pile on even more benefits, apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, meaning that it may help reduce skin infections and kill harmful bacteria.Some of our staff have even used it diluted on their dogs paws, where yeast can form. Make sure there are no open areas of skin, no cuts or wounds, when using vinegar for people or pets!
3. Controlled Blood Sugar:
   Does apple cider vinegar lower blood sugar after eating, as well as improve insulin function? Consuming apple cider vinegar after a meal may help improve glucose levels, according to small studies like this one. For anyone, regulated blood sugar is a good thing, but for people with type-2 diabetes, apple cider vinegar might be helpful, along with other interventions like exercise and tweaking your diet.  Even as little as 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar can have a measurable effect on blood sugar regulation. Make sure you dilute this for your dental health, and drink it accompanying food.
4. Killing Harmful Bacteria: As mentioned previously, apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties.  One use of apple cider vinegar that doesn’t involve ingesting it is using it to clean, or preserve food.  Vinegar has been shown to inhibit e. coli bacteria, not letting it grow or spread.  Whether using it to wipe down a counter or preserve some veggies, apple cider vinegar keeps things clean and safe.
5. May help acid reflux.
   Acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), is a common complaint in all ages. It may be from too high stomach acid, too little stomach acid, stress, certain foods, lack of digestive capability and microbes.Some people feel that apple cider vinegar works for their reflux, or their acid indigestion. Many practitioners tell people to use this for reflux, and while they are not inherently wrong, there are some precaution’s we’ve listed on the practitioner blog.You may feel worse after drinking apple cider vinegar, because of too much stomach acid, an issue with ytour mucosal lining, (which can be caused by your own acid or acid-y drinks), so this is a good indicator to dilute, use less, or stop altogether.
6. Will apple cider vinegar help with weight loss?
   Many blogs are sharing that apple cider vinegar creates feelings of fullness in your stomach, thus aiding in weight loss. Is this claim true? And why would this be so? According to our practitioner, Tanya, who is trained in Mindful Eating Awareness, flavourful foods increase the feeling of satiety after a meal. It stands to reason, if you LIKE what you eat, your appetite will be satiated. Feeling satiated can be one way to keep you from opening and closing the cupboards, looking for snacks, when you are not hungry.But does it directly have an effect on weight loss? This study looked at the use of apple cider vinegar and appetite control, stating that it was the effect of unpalatability, and maybe nausea, that led to a decreased appetite.The reason that this claim exists may be due to number three in our list, that apple cider vinegar may have a positive effect on blood sugar. If your blood sugar is stable, you may eat less, have less cravings and feel more satiated!

Are there downsides to using apple cider vinegar?

If you are ingesting it, yes, there are.

Potassium and electrolytes.
Too much can shift your blood potassium levels. This may affect your heart, and cardiovascular system.

Bone mineral density.
There may be some impairment of mineral uptake if too much apple cider vinegar is consumed. This have a negative effect on your skeleton, which is part of your locomotor system.

Should you worry about apple cider vinegar?

With any recommendation, there are always little things that may be good for one person, and not another. Always check with a registered or licensed health professional if you suspect you have a health issue or are on medications.

If you are ingesting apple cider vinegar: 1-2 tablespoons is a good rule of thumb for a dose.

Some will recommend you drink the apple cider vinegar straight.To cut down on the bitter taste, AND the potential acid erosion on your teeth, many people mix it with warm water. You can even add honey – like a tea.

Drinking before meals may benefit your blood sugar, and will minimize effects on your oral cavityl

If using this topically: create towels or wraps by soaking a towel or tissue in 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon vinegar.  Gently massage your skin, or leave the wrap on for no longer than 3 hours at a time.  Another way to topically use apple cider vinegar is to add 1- 2 cups to a warm bath.  Soak for 20 minutes and appreciate the skin-softening and anti-irritant effects.

Make sure there is no broken skin when using.

How Else Can I Improve My Health and Wellness?

While apple cider vinegar is host to a wealth of health benefits, there are other ways to improve your health and wellness. Products and superfood are great, but they are all a greater part of you as a whole. Your health depends on how your body systems are supported, your stress levels, your emotional state, and yes, your nutritional status.

Looking for other ways to raise your wellness?

Read our blog on The OFTEN OVERLOOKED Lymph System.

Pairing one of our Bioenergetic Scans, with the Full Scan being the most comprehensive, along with lifestyle changes, can keep you feeling healthy and energetic.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6117990/#:~:text=The%20main%20species%20responsible%20for,medium%20(2%2C%203).
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7374219/

*This is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice.