Apple cider vinegar is the most popular type of vinegar preferred for natural health. It has many benefits, many of which are supported by scientific evidence. Among the benefits of apple cider vinegar; Important benefits such as accelerating weight loss, lowering cholesterol, fighting infections, blood sugar control, and soothing other symptoms of diabetes are counted.
Apple cider vinegar contains only three calories per tablespoon. There are not too many vitamins or minerals in it. There is only a small amount of potassium. It also contains some amino acids and antioxidants in a quality apple cider vinegar structure.
Apple vinegar; It has a long history as a traditional home remedy used in different areas such as sore throat healing, fever reduction and wound cleansing.
How to Make Apple Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is made in a two-step process. The first step is to leave the crushed apples and their shells to ferment. During the fermentation, the sugars contained in the apple are turned into alcohol as fermented. In the second stage, bacteria are added to the resulting alcohol solution.
These bacteria provide advanced fermentation and convert alcohol solution into acetic acid and other sugar acids, the main active compound of apple cider vinegar.
Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar also contains a blend of protein, enzyme and beneficial bacteria, which give the product a fuzzy look and is called “mother of vinegar”.
Vinegar mother is also a kind of yeast used in the fermentation process of vinegar. Some authorities believe that the vinegar mother is an effective part in most of the health benefits; however, there are currently insufficient studies to support this.
Apple Vinegar Usage Areas and Dosage
Apple cider vinegar is used as a preservative in food, salad dressings and food storage. Although it is very useful when consumed correctly, consuming too much vinegar can cause undesirable effects.
It is not recommended to drink directly without dilution, as it contains a lot of acid. Consuming too much may cause different problems such as ulcers, acid reflux or abrasion of tooth enamel due to deterioration in stomach acid balance. For this reason, consuming 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar in water or tea and consuming it will be a right health application.
What Are the Benefits of Apple Vinegar?
The most important benefit of apple cider vinegar that has been identified so far is its effects on controlling symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that progresses with increased blood sugar levels due to the insulin resistance of the body tissues or the inability to produce insulin in the body.
The main goal in the treatment of the disease is to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range. The most effective way to do this is to avoid processed sugars. Apple cider vinegar also has a powerful effect on lowering blood sugar. It has been shown in studies that vinegar has many benefits for blood sugar and insulin levels.
When consumed during a high-carb meal, tissues have been found to increase insulin sensitivity by 19 to 34% and significantly lower blood sugar levels. For these reasons, vinegar; It is useful for diabetics, people with hidden sugar and those who want to keep their blood sugar levels low. A person with diabetes can reduce the amount of medication he uses by consuming vinegar.
Surprisingly, research has also shown that vinegar can help with weight loss. Vinegar helps one to consume less calories by increasing the feeling of fullness. For example, if vinegar is consumed with a high-carb meal, the feeling of fullness increases and 200-275 fewer calories are consumed for the rest of the day.
In a 3-month study with 175 overweight people, it has been shown to help dissolve belly fat and accelerate weight loss in proportion to the amount of apple cider vinegar consumed daily. From the participants of the study;
Those who consumed 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of apple cider vinegar daily lost an average of 1.2 kilograms, while those who consumed 30 ml (2 tablespoons) lost 1.7 kilograms.
Regular consumption of vinegar lowers blood triglycerides, cholesterol and blood pressure. Thus, the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases is reduced. In some types of cancer, vinegar can slow the growth of cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Apple cider vinegar helps neutralize some microorganisms, including bacteria. It has traditionally been used in the treatment of nail fungus, head lice, warts and ear infections. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar for wound cleaning two thousand years ago.
Vinegar is also used as a food preservative. Researches show that bacteria (such as E. coli) prevent the reproduction of foodstuff by preventing its reproduction in food. For this reason, those who are looking for a natural way to preserve some food and keep it intact for a while, can use apple cider vinegar.
Benefits of Apple Vinegar to the Skin
For those who prefer natural ways in skin care, apple cider vinegar is a very popular skin care product. The majority of apple cider vinegar’s effectiveness is based on the fruit acids it contains, such as acetic acid and malic acid.
During fermentation, a compound called acetic acid is formed, which is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. The most important factor for acne formation is bacteria. For this reason, apple cider vinegar can be used in the treatment of acne with its antibacterial properties.
As a person ages, their skin naturally loses its elasticity and wrinkles begin to form. One of the ways to minimize early wrinkles is to take good care of the skin.
Apple cider vinegar has a firming effect on the skin. Thus, if used regularly, it can help maintain the elasticity of the skin and prevent the formation of wrinkles.
Meat moles are usually non-dangerous skin growths. But even if they are not dangerous, they can sometimes be aesthetically disturbing. Apple cider vinegar can be dried if it is smeared regularly on the meat and help them fall.
There is no study yet showing that apple cider vinegar prevents or treats sunburn. However, applying vinegar to mild sunburn by diluting vinegar with water may provide relief.
Peeling, which is the process of removing the skin by peeling, is an important skin care process that provides removal of old or dead skin cells. Peeling can be done chemically or physically.
Apple cider vinegar contains a fruit acid called malic acid, which can be used in chemical peeling. Malic acid in apple cider vinegar can help peel the outermost layer of the skin.
Benefits of Apple Vinegar to the Face
Apple cider vinegar can be used in skin care as a tonic, face wash water and even for spot treatment. It is an effective way to deeply clean the skin and pores on the skin when used as a facial cleanser. Washing the face daily with apple cider vinegar diluted with water helps to remove grease, dirt and dead skin cells.
Apple cider vinegar can also be preferred as a natural skin tonic. Tonic’s role in skin care is to purify the skin from bacteria and other foreign substances and tighten the pores. The recipe that can be used as a skin tonic can be as follows:
1 part apple cider vinegar
2 parts of purified water
After using a face wash water to clean the skin, this mixture can be applied to the face with a cotton pad or cotton swab. You can also use a spray bottle to spray the mixture evenly on the skin. This tonic is especially suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.
If you have sensitive skin, you can dilute the mixture further before use. Apple cider vinegar should also not be used in conjunction with other acidic skin care products such as retinoic acid due to its acidic properties.
