There is a lot of truth in the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. For a tasty and tangy twist try a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar a day.  Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a powerful healing elixir that has been used for thousands of years to fight disease and maintain good health.

The health benefits reported from regular ingestion of apple cider vinegar are varied including relief from allergies, sinus infections, acne, candida, acid reflux, chronic fatigue, sore throats, high cholesterol, and ease from arthritic pains, muscle cramps and gout. The benefits continue including improved bowel regularity and weight management.  Apple cider vinegar is also great for pets too, so don’t forget Fido, Miss Kitty and Mr. Ed. Putting a little apple cider vinegar in their water can have them frolicking like pups, coats shinning in the sun and repelling flies and fleas.

The mechanism through which apple cider vinegar gives such varied health benefits is not completely understood.  It is know that apple cider vinegar contains many vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, pectin and calcium.  However, these vitamins are in such small quantities it seems clear this does not completely account for the health benefits.  Apple cider vinegar is rich in malic and acetic acid, which help normalize body pH, optimize intestinal flora and eradicate pathogenic or disease-causing bacteria.

Apple Cider vinegar also helps to neutralize guanidine, a toxic substance produced by our bodies during normal metabolism.  Guanidine toxicity has been linked to muscle cramps and twitching, migrating nerve pains, aggravation of allergic reactions and arthritic joint pains.

Apple Cider Vinegar can be enjoyed in many ways from ingesting it to bathing in it!  Most of the times ingesting it is the best way to go. Try 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar mixed in 4 ounces of water.  Taken after a meal this is a great natural remedy for heartburn.  If you prefer to get it down quickly try 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in 1 ounce of grape juice.  For some the taste of vinegar is just a bit to tart, for those I recommend a little sweetener.  The Bragg company, who have been making apple cider vinegar for 100 years, recommend 1 to 2 tsps Bragg Organic Vinegar in 8 oz
Glass Purified Water with
1 to 2 tsps Organic Honey, 100% Maple Syrup, Blackstrap Molasses or 4 drops herb Stevia.  This health packed elixir can be enjoyed hot or cold.  Apple cider vinegar can also be enjoyed in salad dressings.  My favorite recipe is: ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cups Bragg Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tablespoon of local, raw honey, 1 tablespoon of mustard.  Shake ingredients in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid and enjoy!!

Now that we have discovered great ways to get your vinegar down there are no more excuses.  In fact I think you will begin to love your vinegar so much you will want to bath in it!  An apple cider vinegar bath is great for speeding recovery from colds and flus or it can be done weekly for regular detoxification.  Simply fill the tub with warm water, 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, the juice of ½ a lemon and soak for 20-30 minutes.  Drink glass of water before, during, and after your bath, as you will sweat out toxins.

Not all apple cider vinegars are created equally, some are full of medicinal properties while others offer little to no health benefits. When purchasing your apple cider vinegar push your cart past the crystal clear, sparkling varieties and go right for the murky brown colored liquid with the stuff floating in it. Yes, you read correctly you want the one with the long stringy floaty things in it. This substance is called “the mother” and is your tell tale sign you have come to the right place. The “mother” is made up of living nutrients and bacteria and gives the vinegar its many health benefits.

Start feeling better today with a trip to your local grocery or health food store for some wonderful, murky, cloudy, brown apple cider vinegar and drink to your health!