Facts About Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Facts About Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
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Organic apple cider vinegar is a natural health remedy that has been used for centuries to treat and prevent a variety of ailments. This common vinegar type can be found in most health food stores and supermarkets. Choose organic apple cider vinegar over non-organic, as it provides more nutritional benefits than non-organic or processed apple cider vinegars.

Production

Organic apple cider vinegar is made by distilling organic apple cider twice. Because it is fermented twice, specific bacteria and enzymes are able to develop, which provide the vinegar with its nutritional qualities. According to Braggs, a company which produces organic apple cider vinegar, these bacteria and enzymes are the "mother" of the vinegar and can be seen as the sediment at the bottom of a bottle of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar will not spoil if you store it in a cool, dry area away from sunlight.

Taking Apple Cider Vinegar

To take apple cider vinegar, the Global Healing Center recommends mixing 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 gallon of purified water. Apple cider vinegar has a very strong taste, so mix in as much honey or agave nectar as you need to make the drink palatable. You can also add ginger or cinnamon for added flavor and nutrition. Because apple cider vinegar contains live nutrients and bacteria that your body may not be familiar with, only drink a small amount of the mixture at first, and slowly build up to drinking larger amounts or drinking it more frequently.

Health Benefits

When taken daily, apple cider vinegar offers many potential health benefits. It may help regulate digestion and can ease joint pain and stiffness in your limbs. If you experience heartburn, drinking a small amount of apple cider vinegar after a meal may help remedy your heartburn. Apple cider vinegar has also been attributed to clear skin, and, applied to sunburns, it can help speed up healing and ease discomfort. The potassium and calcium in apple cider vinegar can also help strengthen your bones, hair and teeth.

Considerations

While there is no clear limit to how much apple cider vinegar you can consume daily, Braggs suggests limiting your daily intake to no more than six tablespoons per day. Apple cider vinegar is not a substitute for certain medications. Consult your health care professional or a registered dietitian before beginning an apple cider vinegar consumption regimen.

References

Article reviewed by Brigitte Espinet Last updated on: Jul 3, 2011

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