Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

I'm a huge fan of anything I can have in my house that is not only natural, but that I can use for various things.

One of my all time faves is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).

I've never been a big fan of vinegar and only knew of its existence for coloring easter eggs, or because it was required for a recipe.

It wasn't until the last few years that I discovered ACV. You might be thinking thats crazy! How did you not know?

I know. I know.

And when *I discover* something, it's like the universe has shifted and I want to shout it from the roof tops.

You might already have ACV in your home, if you do, then 10 gold stars for you. I'll give you bonus points if you know all of the ways you can use it, and just how good it is for you.

Or if your only context for using it is for salad dressing, but have no idea what it's all about, well I'm hear to tell you, or -shout it from the roof tops- about why you MUST keep it in the pantry to have on hand at ALL times ;).

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

First you want to have the gold standard. 

That's the raw, organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized ACV with what is called *the mother*. This is the strands of sediment floating around the bottom of the jar.

This is the gold in this magical elixir. Those strands are the raw enzymes and gut-friendly bacteria that promotes healing. If you want a great brand, I use Bragg as it has "the mother", is raw and organic.

Here are just a few of the ways you can use it:

01  Lowers glucose levels, balancing blood sugar (1)

This is for those with Type 2 diabetes or if you tend to eat a high carb diet

02  Gut Health

Like I said before, the mother helps promote healthy bacteria (2)

03  Relieves gas, bloating and heartburn

Just a tablespoon will do in water. When I've seen friends sporting antacid tablets, I tell them to ditch those pronto (because you need stomach acid to digest your food!!) and take some ACV instead.

 04  Helps the body become more alkaline

Even as acidic as it is, seems counterintuitive, but it helps your body become more alkaline. Having a more alkaline system has many health benefits. One, is that most disease cannot live in an acidic environment. 

05   You can clean with it

Mix a little with water (1:1) in a spray bottle and it's excellent for cleaning glass, and just an overall antibacterial. It's a great alternative to using toxic  chemicals in your home. (6)

06  Aids in weight loss and cardiovascular health

It has been shown to assist by making you feel fuller and eat less (7)(8)

And like it says on the bottle of Braggs ACV, "it has been highly regarded throughout history... as Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, used it for its amazing natural qualities". 

So if you don't have ACV in your arsenal for staying healthy, especially this time of year, I encourage to go grab some!

To your health,

Shannon