Organic apple cider vinegar, ACV, is a naturally fermented product. Unlike the clear, distilled and filtered grocery store vinegar, organic ACV is a dark golden, cloudy liquid. You will see sediment in the bottom of the bottle; the sediment contains beneficial bacteria and nutrients. Look for organic ACV at health food stores and drugstores, and wherever you buy organic food products.
History
Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for various ailments. Lord Byron, who was both anorexic and bulimic, used a vinegar and water diet in 1820. The poet drank large amounts of vinegar and water, with side effects of diarrhea and vomiting. Nonetheless, it was a popular fad diet of the time. Mayo Clinic's Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., reports that ACV does not promote weight loss, and recommends sensible eating and physical activity instead.
Organic
According to Ohio State University, organic apple cider vinegar begins with ripe, organic fall and winter apples, which have high sugar content. They are pressed into unfiltered juice. The high natural sugar content and small bits of remaining pulp are necessary for proper fermentation. Because the apples are organic, they contain no synthetic chemicals that could be carried into the juice.
Double Fermentation
The first fermentation takes place to change the fruit sugars into alcohol. A second fermentation changes the alcohol into acetic acid. The solids that remain in the liquid are the "mother" of vinegar. Organic ACV should retain the mother. It should not be filtered, pasteurized or distilled. These are processes that remove or kill the active properties of the vinegar. For this reason, it is often called "raw" ACV.
ACV Diet
The organic ACV diet consists of taking one or two teaspoons of organic ACV prior to each meal. According to appleciderbenefits.com, you can take the ACV by the spoonful, mixed with organic honey, or you can mix it in a glass of water or other beverage. ACV diet plans also advise eating sensible, balanced meals, and getting plenty of exercise.
Weight Loss
Critics of the ACV diet claim that sensible eating and exercise will help you lose weight, even without vinegar. ACV diet proponents claim that organic ACV aid in healthy weight loss and general well-being. The organic ACV diet for weight loss gives slow, steady results. It will not produce quick weight reduction.
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association reports that people with type 2 diabetes and those with insulin resistance can benefit from adding vinegar to their diet. Early studies indicated that vinegar eased the glucose and insulin responses to high carbohydrate sucrose and starches. Further studies with type 1 diabetics indicated that vinegar could be used to reduce hyperglycemia. Always consult your diabetes health professional before making changes to your diet.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity to a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Subjects With Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes
- Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits: Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss
- Global Healing Center: The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
- Woman's Day: 15 Most Bizarre Diets in History
- Ohio State University: Making Cider Vinegar at Home
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