Hi guys! Today’s post is all about, apple cider vinegar (ACV). Though ACV has a lot of uses and benefits for your health, some people claim it to be a miracle for health, “not all that glitters is gold.”

Some people claim that ACV can cure almost everything going from athlete’s foot, head lice, and acid reflux to curing diabetes, gout, and cancer. However, most of those claims are overstated or unfounded.Their advice is to take a few tablespoons ACV daily to improve nutrient absorption, digestion, etc… But ACV should not be used long-term. And I tell you why later in this article. So keep reading as it is super important.

But first, let’s start with the good news…

 

Top 9 Health Benefits And Uses Of ACV

 

Apple cider vinegar has a long history as a folk remedy. Hippocrates, Cleopatra, and Babylonians used it as a preservative, condiment, and as a cure-for-all.

ACV came to our attention in the fifties with D.C. Jarvis’ best-selling book “Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good Health.” Ever since, ACV has been a popular product, playing an important role in many of our Western households as a beauty, home, or health-promoting natural product.

Some of the uses and benefits below are supported by science and others are back up by our folk wisdom. Although there are many uses of ACV, I’ll list the most important ones for you below.

 

1.      Improve Nutrient Absorption

ACV is high in acetic acid which can increase your body’s ability to absorb minerals from the food you eat. So drinking a mild tonic with apple cider vinegar before a meal can help you to get more out of the foods you eat.

 

2.      Improves Digestion

ACV promotes bowel movement, prevents indigestion and cures bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and cramps. Just squeeze half a lemon in 6 ounces water, add 1 tbsp. ACV and drink up to 3 times a day until symptoms disappear.

ALSO READ: Discover 10 Easy Ways To Improve Digestion Naturally 

 

3.      Soothe A Sore Throat

Add 1 tablespoon ACV, honey, and the juice of half a lemon to one cup of warm water. Drink at first signs of a sore throat. Repeat 3 times a day until symptoms disappear.

 

4.      Shiny Hair

ACV has more or less the same acidity as human hair and therefore has been used for ages as a natural conditioner and cleaning agent. It will boost your hair’s volume and shine. Just fill an old, clean shampoo bottle with one cup cold water and ½ tablespoon ACV. Use the mixture as a rinse after shampooing. Repeat a few times a week for the best result.

CLICK HERE and discover how you can make your own all-natural, chemical-free shampoo.

 

5.      Remove Stains From Your Teeth

ACV can help you to remove stains from your teeth. Rub ACV on the stain and thoroughly rinse afterward. Note that when used over a longer period it can harm your tooth enamel. So go easy on this.

 

Scroll down for more ACV benefits and risks. 

 

6.      Soothe Sunburns

Adding 1 cup of ACV to your bath can help soothe the burning pain from a sunburn.

 

7.      Pet Health

ACV be used to clean your pet’s ears, relief certain skin conditions, and works as a tick and flea repellent.

 

8.      Green Cleaning

Vinegar can be utilized as a natural all-around green cleaning product. You could use undiluted ACV for tough stains or mix equal parts ACV with water to clean everything from your countertops to windows (without streaks :-), a simple trick my mom showed me). I often add a few drops of lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus or orange essential oil for a fresh and clean scent.

ALSO READ: Discover The Amazing All Natural Uses For Baking Soda

 

9.      Aid Weight Loss

Although ACV is no weight loss miracle on its own, studies have linked a higher intake of acetic acid (the main ingredient of ACV) to reduced body weight and cholesterol levels. Add 2 tablespoons of ACV to 16 ounces of water and sip during the day. But again, ACV should not be used long-term… If you are on a weight loss mission and need some help. CLICK HERE to access my Thinforever program.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar Risks Of Long-Term Use

 

The risks of using ACV internally seems small as long as you only use it over a short period of time. When you consider taking ACV internally on a daily basis, there are a few things you should know.

  • Highly acidic: the main ingredient is acetic acid, which is a harsh compound. When used internally you should always dilute it with water as it can damage tooth enamel and the tissue in your mouth and throat. Liquids with high acid content are known to dissolve the calcium solids in tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities and tooth loss.
  • Depletes potassium levels when used over longer periods. Potassium is of vital importance. It helps your heart to beat, allows your muscle to move, helps your kidneys to filter blood, and maintains nerve health.
  • Long-term use of ACV could cause lower bone density. Potassium, along with sodium, serves to maintain critical fluid balance within the body and plays a significant role in bone health as well. The role of potassium in bone health relates to the ability of selected potassium salts to neutralize bone-depleting metabolic acids.
  • ACV can interact with: diuretics, laxatives, and medicines for diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
  • Skin burns: when applied to the skin, undiluted, it may cause burns and scarring
  • Excessive use may cause damage to the stomach, duodenum, and liver

So if you have low potassium levels, osteoporosis or weak bones, a heart condition, or diabetes, ALWAYS check with your healthcare provider before using apple cider vinegar internally.

 

FYI: Does ACV Still Contains The Nutrients From The Apples?

 

Although you may have heard that ACV’s healing powers, even after fermentation of the apples, comes from the apple’s nutrients, the opposite is true. Apples are rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidant, fibers, pectin, and other beneficial nutrients, whereas ACV is weak in all of those nutrients.

When buying ACV, make sure to buy organic, unprocessed, murky, brown ACV. Those still contain the mother with traces of the apple’s nutrients.

ALSO READ: How to Make Your Own Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Take-home message

 

Although ACV has many excellent and all-natural benefits and uses, moderation is key! I often use it as a green cleaning agent, which is absolutely safe and eco-friendly. Internally we only use it for a short period of time, like when I have a sore throat or when I have digestive issues like cramps or bloating.

 

Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!

 

 

Amy Goodrich

Amy Goodrich

 

Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.

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