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Apple cider vinegar can be considered one of the rockstars of the natural health community. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard the many benefits it offers–from helping with blood sugar levels to killing bacteria.

The many benefits of apple cider vinegar come from its raw enzymes and the good bacteria that its fermentation process produces. Since it comes from the juice of crushed apples, it contains vitamins like B and C, as well as nutrients like niacin and folic acid. Back in the olden days, this golden liquid was used as a natural preservative and disinfectant.

To say that apple cider vinegar is great for natural health is quite underwhelming for the many benefits it offers. It is basically an all-around-joe that can treat problems like acne and diabetes! In case you need more reason to rush to the nearest neighborhood store to grab a bottle of one, we listed 20 ways apple cider vinegar can help below:

1. It can be used in managing blood sugar.

And therefore, help prevent diabetes. Acetic vinegar, which is its main component, can help block enzymes that digest starch in the body, which lowers blood result. Controlling and lowering blood sugar is actually the most well-known use of apple cider vinegar at present, with type 2 diabetes patients commonly integrating it to their diet. It is suggested that patients should consume apple cider vinegar after a meal, but it can also be integrated into the normal diet by being used in cooking or as a salad dressing. Studies also suggest that taking two tablespoons of this golden liquid before going to bed can help reduce fasting blood sugar in the morning by 4 percent.

2. It helps protect you from harmful bacteria.  

Again, thanks to acetic acid! Taking a healthy dose of ACV can reduce harmful pathogens in the body like E.Coli and stops it from spreading in your system. This goes back to its use in history when the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, got the idea of using it as a disinfectant. Apple cider vinegar is said to be so potent that it was even traditionally used for treating other problems like warts, ear infections, and lice.

3. Cures Indigestion and Heart Burn

Apple cider vinegar is also said to provide ease to problems like acid reflux, heartburn, constipation, and indigestion. The solution works best for these concerns are caused by a lack of stomach acid which ACV’s acidic nature can help alleviate. Do remember, however, that diets prescribed to cure heart burn and indigestion involve lowering consumption of acidic food so consulting with a health provider before using ACV is still a must.

4. Ease Sore Throat.

Sore throat can be a pain to deal with so as soon as you feel its beginnings, you can reach for that bottle for ACV for a quick fix. Basically, apple cider vinegar’s germ-busting properties can help prevent the infection from progressing. Try mixing ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with ¼ cup of water and use the solution to gargle every hour.

5. It can cure colds.

Apple cider vinegar should definitely be a favorite if you’re the type to lean on natural remedies for common problems like colds. The potassium on it can help thin mucus while its acetic acid can aid in clearing the nasal passages.

6. It can help boost energy.

ACV instead of red bull? Yes, please! Stress and too much exercising actually trigger the body to go on lactic acid build up which the amino acids in apple cider vinegar can take care of. Its enzymes and potassium also help curb the feeling of constant fatigue so the next time you’re feeling sluggish, reach for that bottle and pour yourself a tablespoon or two. Wash it down with a healthy juice drink or just plain ol’ water, depending on how fancy you’re feeling that day.

7. It can lessen the incidence of leg cramps.

In case you don’t know it yet, leg cramps happen to those who are not consuming enough potassium. Since apple cider vinegar is high on this, you can take a few tablespoons of ACV with a glass of water mixed with honey to prevent them. It actually doesn’t taste that bad! Besides, if it can help stop you from waking up in the middle of the night crouched in pain, then it’s probably worth it, right?

8. It takes care of free radicals.

Which, as most of us know, are bad news. Free radicals can lead to problems like immune diseases, arthrititis, even emphysema, and apple cider vinegar helps get rid of them by preventing oxidation stress and damage on cell membranes and other tissues.

9. It can prevent the growth of cancer cells.

Is there anything apple cider vinegar can’t do? Some professionals vouch that ACV prevents the growth of cancer cells. In addition to that, this golden liquid is also said to help shrink tumors.

10. Helps in weight loss.

Apple cider vinegar is also widely-acknowledged for its weight loss benefits. Several studies have been dedicated to proving the effect of ACV among people who have obesity and according to results, the golden liquid can have a satiating effect that can help in losing unwanted pounds. It is also claimed that not only can ACV help in reducing Body Mass Index, it can also help in trimming down visceral fat, particularly in the stomach area. Do remember, however, that taking apple cider vinegar shouldn’t be considered a magical shortcut to losing weight but only as an aid thanks to its satiating and craving-curbing properties.

11. It stops hiccups.

Okay so hiccups may not exactly be a big deal, but you have to admit, they can be pretty annoying. Instead of waiting them out to go away, take a spoonful of apple cider vinegar to relax the spasms. They say it is so effective that there are even lollipops made with ACV to specifically help with hiccups!

12. Clears Dandruff

Apple cider vinegar is not only great for common problems, you can also use a dash of it for your beauty woes! Again, we have ACV’s high acetic properties help manage the scalp’s pH which makes it harder for yeast, the main cause behind dandruff, to grow. To use it, mix it with water, spray it onto the scalp, and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing well. Use this solution at least twice a week or until your scalp’s health gets better.

13. Freshen tresses.

Ditch your dry shampoo and use an apple cider vinegar to freshen your locks in between washes. Originally, ACV is used to remove shampoo build-up, but the theory also works if you want to skip washing your tresses for a few more days. Do be careful when using it though since it can sting badly when it gets to your eyes. It is also suggested to do a skin test first just in case you have sensitive skin.

14. It’s an acne-eraser.

Many claim that apple cider vinegar is great as a home remedy for acne because of its anti-bacterial properties. In addition to just taking care of the bacteria that causes breakouts, ACV also has malic and lactic acids that can help exfoliate, soften, and even skin. Moreover, similar to balancing out the pH on your scalp, this golden liquid can also do the same for your skin, leaving you with a healthier-looking complexion.

15. It can help remove teeth stains.

Are you feeling conscious about your not-so-white pearly whites? The bottle of apple cider vinegar on your cupboard might just be your saving grace! ACV is said to help lighten stains when used with baking soda as a toothpaste alternative.

16. And cure bad breath!

A perfect smile will be useless if you have bad breath, don’t you think? If you’ve tried dozens of mouthwashes and do proper brushing and still deal with stink breath, then it’s time to bust out the apple cider vinegar. Adding a teaspoon of it with water and using it to gargle can help zap away odor-causing bacteria.

17. It can remove foot odor for good.

Is there really nothing that apple cider vinegar can’t do? Apparently, it can help keep smelly feet under control, too! Again, this is all thanks to ACV’s capability to balance out the skin’s pH, which can cause the bad smell when it goes awry. It is suggested to make a solution of apple cider vinegar with water and dip cotton pads on it which can be used to wipe the feet with. You can even make batches of this beforehand and just store them in airtight containers. Worried that the smell of the vinegar will leave your toes smelling less desirable? Don’t worry. The odor will dissipate once the solution has dried!

18. Use it as a deodorant.

At this point, you might just very well slather apple cider vinegar all over your body–well, not really. But it does work as a deodorant as well. This might seem counterintuitive since it smells like, well, vinegar, but it works great in neutralizing bacteria that can cause unwanted odor. Use it like how you would use it on the feet by dipping cotton pads which you can use to wipe your underarms. You can also opt to create a light solution and just spritz it on your pits, letting it dry before getting dressed. A word of warning though, don’t do this if you’re planning on putting on delicate fibers like silk.

19. It can help prevent premature aging.

We already talked about apple cider vinegar’s free radical-fighting properties, so it makes sense that it is also said to help stop premature aging. Besides kicking out free radicals out of your system, it also has antioxidant properties that can keep you premature aging at bay. Its pH balancing wonders also help.

20. It can hep relieve sunburns.

It might be time to carry a bottle of apple cider vinegar on your beach bag on your next trip. Sounds weird? Not really. ACV can actually help relieve minor sunburns by mixing it with cold water and spritzing the solution on affected areas for instant relief. A word of warning though: apple cider vineger CANNOT be applied in strong concentrations directly into the skin because its acidity level can irritate and damage it. So use sparsely. Better yet, consult with your health provider first before using it as an all-around solution.

Some things to remember:

There’s no doubt that apple cider vinegar is a great natural home remedy, but use it carefully because its acidity level can cause serious damage if you’re too carefree with it. For example, it can erode your tooth enamel if you use too much of it when gargling or, as mentioned before, burn your skin. This is because apple cider vinegar is generally an acid which has a pH of two or three. A little FYI: Any liquid with a pH less than seven is considered acidic.

People with diabetes are recommended to closely monitor their blood sugar levels even when using AVC. This is to make sure that the dosage of apple cider vinegar they consume can be rightly managed as they use it. It is generally recommended to keep ACV consumption to less than 8 ounces per day since studies suggest that hitting this number or going over it can lead to problems such as low potassium. This is especially true for people who take insulin which, when used with apple cider vinegar, can deplete potassium in the body. The same applies to diuretic drugs.

In terms of proper dosage, it is still best to consult with a professional before using apple cider vinegar regularly. ACV dosage should be dependent on factors like the user’s health history, status, and even age to name a few. Also, do not skip on reading product labels and following directions when using it. While it may be widely believed to be a cure-all golden liquid, it still pays to be sure before using it regularly.

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