Summary
- How is apple cider vinegar produced?
- Numerous benefits of apple cider vinegar
- Simple recipes with apple cider vinegar as an essential ingredient
In recent times, apple cider vinegar has gained immense popularity due to its hype among the fitness world.
It is well known as an immunity booster and a remedy for weight loss. It has now become a common household item.
But for many generations, it has been used for medicinal and cooking purposes in the west.
Because of its impact on the fitness industry, its popularity has spread to the rest of the world, including India.
It’s now readily available in the Indian market at affordable prices.
So how is it really produced? Apple cider vinegar is commonly produced using a 3-step process.
Step 1: In order to make good quality apple cider vinegar, the apples which are high in sugar are selected.
The amount of sugar in the apples and its state of ripeness can affect the flavor and taste of the end product.
The apples are peeled, and the cores are taken out. The fruit can either be grated or crushed to get the juices out.
Step 2: The juice is then poured into a clean container. In order to protect it from insects and dust, the container is covered with a clean cloth.
Next, yeast is added and the container is placed in a warm place to carry out the fermentation process.
They convert the sugar present in the apple juice into ethanol alcohol. This occurs within a span of one to two weeks.
Step 3: With the help of an airborne bacteria called acetobacter, the ethanol alcohol is converted into acetic acid, which is then diluted to form vinegar. This needs to mature for almost a year before it’s ready to use.
Now that you have understood how apple cider vinegar is made, let’s learn about its nutritional composition.
It contains the following essential nutrients which are necessary for our well-being, namely, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, amino acids, and antioxidants.
Hence, it has numerous benefits when it comes to health and fitness. It is also used for skin ailments and even as a disinfectant. The list is endless.
Let’s Explore Its 6 Amazing Benefits in Detail
1. To Promote Weight Loss
The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar aids in weight loss. This is achieved in various ways, namely, by reducing blood sugar levels, decreasing insulin levels, promoting better metabolism, reducing fat storage, and lastly, by suppressing appetite.
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar only contains about 3 calories. This is one of the reasons why apple cider vinegar aids in weight loss.
In addition to that, research has shown that it is a ‘natural appetite suppressant’, which means that it curbs hunger and makes you feel full for longer periods of time.
Since apple cider vinegar is a natural ingredient, it is a much safer alternative to promote weight loss rather than consuming medications like diet pills, which can have long-lasting effects.
For the purpose of weight loss, you can consume apple cider vinegar by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of it with 1 cup of water. It is essential to dilute it with water, as it can be harmful to drink it directly as it is a type of acetic acid.
Note: Drinking apple cider vinegar is not recommended for people who have health issues such as stomach ulcers. However, consuming it in large quantities can also cause damage to the tooth enamel, so it’s important to be mindful of the quantity of consumption.
To avoid damage to your teeth, you can rinse your mouth with water after consumption. Moreover, people with diabetes must consult their doctors beforehand as apple cider vinegar may alter insulin and blood glucose levels.
Bear in mind that only the consumption of apple cider vinegar may not achieve weight loss. For better results, maintain a balanced diet and incorporate apple cider vinegar to suppress the hunger pangs.
Drinking apple cider vinegar in the morning is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some people dislike the sour and alcoholic taste of vinegar.
Fortunately, there are other ways of consuming apple cider vinegar. One of them is by using it as an ingredient in salad dressings.
You can create a simple salad dressing with 6 ingredients.
Here is a simple apple cider vinegar dressing recipe by Love and lemons that you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredient list:
¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon of honey
¼ teaspoon of salt
3-4 grated small garlic cloves
1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
¼ cup of olive cup
Preparation:
Take a small bowl and simply mix all the ingredients together, and your apple cider vinegar is ready to use! You can drizzle it over a simple salad of chopped onions, tomatoes, and cucumber, or any other salad of your choice.
Storage instructions:
Pour the remaining apple cider vinegar dressing into an airtight jar and place it in the fridge. It can last up to 7 days.
2. To Boost Immunity
Since apple cider vinegar is made using unstrained apple juice, it is rich in vitamin C and fiber. Due to the process of fermentation, it has a significant amount of antioxidants which aids in maintaining good gut health.
Apple cider vinegar is also used as a remedy for common cold as it helps in reducing the congestion that results from cold. The combination of bacteria and yeast in the vinegar act as a probiotic.
There are a lot of benefits that come from consuming probiotics. They are a combination of good bacteria or yeasts that naturally live in our bodies.
Apple cider vinegar is made up of good bacteria and yeasts, which promote well-being and keep us healthy by fighting off the bad bacteria that made us sick.
Here is a homemade cough medicine by Healthline for treating colds. This remedy provides relief from symptoms such as throat irritation and cough.
Ingredient list:
2 tablespoons of water
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
¼ teaspoon of pepper
¼ teaspoon of ground ginger
1 tablespoon of honey
Preparation:
Combine all the ingredients together. Take a teaspoon of it from time to time to get instant relief.
3. As a Detox Ingredient
Apple cider vinegar is known to have a cleansing effect; hence it is used as a detox ingredient. Many people believe that drinking it on a daily basis removes the toxins from the body.
Apple cider vinegar detox is made from combining vinegar with water with the addition of a sweetener (optional). People who strictly follow this detox routine prefer to drink it 3 times a day – morning, mid-morning, and mid-afternoon.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Detox:
- Balances the pH level of the body
- Increases the intake of potassium
- Promotes a healthy digestive system
- Removes toxins from the body
- Adds good bacteria and ensures good gut health
- Maintains a healthy immune system
- Provides a good amount of enzymes
Note: Although we hear numerous success stories from people regarding the benefits of apple cider vinegar detox, there is little scientific evidence to support it. Hence, it is not recommended that you follow this routine for a long period of time.
4. Can Be Used for Cosmetic Purposes
Did you know that aside from consuming apple cider vinegar, it can also be externally applied to skin and hair? Since it contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, it is beneficial to prevent the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
It also helps to get rid of dead skin cells to achieve clean and clear skin. Face masks are a great way to cleanse and detox your skin. You can use apple cider vinegar to make a homemade face mask.
Here is a homemade apple cider vinegar face mask recipe by Misswish.
Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and combine it with 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Your face mask paste is ready to use.
For better results, wash your face before applying the mask. Keep the mask for 20 minutes before washing your face with warm water.
The acidic and pH properties of apple cider vinegar help eliminate dandruff and exfoliate your scalp. The antibacterial effect of apple cider vinegar is beneficial in controlling bacteria and fungi growth to prevent scalp issues like dryness and itchiness.
Here is a simple hair wash recipe by Healthline.
Mix a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water. After washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner, use this solution. Spread it evenly over your scalp. Wait for a few minutes before you rinse your hair.
If you feel that the smell of the apple cider vinegar is too overpowering even after washing your hair, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the solution to give it a fragrant smell.
5. As a Disinfectant:
As you have already know, there are countless health benefits to apple cider vinegar, but another often overlooked benefit is that it can be used as a natural disinfectant to clean surfaces, especially in the kitchen.
Use a 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water to make an effective disinfectant solution. This solution can be used to wipe down the kitchen countertops, stovetop and also to disinfect the sink.
Note: Remember to dilute the solution with water so that the acid in the vinegar doesn’t cause the kitchen surfaces to wear away and become dull.
The same solution can be utilized to remove stains from your coffee cups or glasses. Moreover, it can be effective in cleaning windows and removing tea or coffee stains from your table.
Thus, it serves as a natural alternative to chemicals. In recent times, many people are realizing the benefits of natural cleaners as it’s harmless to us and the environment.
6. As an Ingredient for Cooking
To Preserve Food: Similar to other types of vinegar, apple cider vinegar makes a good preservative. Onion or cucumber pickles can be prepared using apple cider vinegar.
As an Ingredient in Marinades: The acid in the vinegar breaks down the surface of the food so that the marinade is absorbed into the meat or vegetable.
To Wash Fruits and Vegetables: People use apple cider vinegar to wash the fruits and vegetables because it gets rid of bacteria. It may also help remove the pesticide residue as well.
As an Ingredient in Cakes: Apple cider vinegar is often used as a substitute for eggs in cakes. It gives a fluffy texture and retains the moisture content in the cake. Moreover, it adds a depth of flavor to the end product.
In Chutneys: If you want to add a hint of tanginess to your chutneys, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar to get that flavor. It not only makes your chutneys taste delicious but also gives numerous health benefits.
In Soups: If you make soups often, apple cider vinegar will soon become your favorite ingredient. It is a good addition to your recipe as it enhances the flavor of the soup and serves as a great source of antioxidants.
The Take Away
Apple cider vinegar is a very versatile household item with tons of benefits, which include boosting your immune system and eliminating digestive issues.
It is pretty affordable and has created a lot of buzz in recent years. However, it should be consumed in moderation as too much of anything can often be harmful to our health.
Everyone is different. Not everyone might find apple cider vinegar to be beneficial. The only way to know whether it works for you is to try it out and see the results for yourself.
