People have used Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for thousands of years. Everyone from the ancient Babylonians to the Greeks used it as a cure-all for all kinds of health ailments.
Like coconut oil and grass-fed butter, ACV is enjoying a comeback among people who care about their health. But is it just another ‘fad’ or is ACV really as amazing as everyone claims?
No matter where you look, you’ll find someone making claims about what ACV can do for your health, beauty, and home. Like most things, some claims are anecdotal, and haven’t been supported by scientific research. However, many ACV claims have been scientifically tested and proven.
If you want to know how ACV, keep reading!
What is ACV?
ACV is a bitter, acidic liquid made from (you guessed it) apples!
It’s generally a two step process:
1.Manufacturers expose crushed apples to yeast. The yeast eats the sugars, which turns them into alcohol (in a process called fermentation).
2.Manufacturers add acid-forming bacteria (i.e., acetobacter), which ferments the alcohol further. Then it turns it into a liquid called “acetic acid”—the main compound in ACV. This bacteria converts the alcohol into vinegar. Acetic acid and malic acid give apple cider vinegar its sour taste.
Why Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apples contain enzymes, boron, iron, minerals, trace minerals, pectin-soluble fibre and are an extremely good source of potassium.
Vinegar is known to have anti-fungal abilities and to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens, so traditionally people used it to clean their homes, bodies, and to fight off fungus from forming.
Combine the benefits of apples and vinegar and you have yourself a highly absorbable, super liquid that historical records show has been fermented and used as medicine since before 5000 BC.
Why Capsules?
The problem a lot of people encounter with ACV is that it is quite hard to stomach the strong pungent taste. This often results in us only taking it for short periods of time, diluted in other beverages or followed by a shot of something else to get rid of taste as quickly as possible.
This is why we have formulated an all organic, ACV capsule made from Australian grown apples. Our ACV has been aged for 9 months in oak barrels before being dried using a new innovative, low temperature process to bring you ACV, with the MOTHER (strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria), in an easy to swallow, non-pungent, no taste, capsule.
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother
What is Apple Cider Vinegar with the MOTHER?
In short, it is ACV That still has the culture of beneficial bacteria that turns regular apple cider into vinegar in the first place. This is like the SCOBY (also called a “mother”) in Kombucha.
In ACV particularly, “the mother” is a complex structure of beneficial acids that have shown to have health benefits. Unrefined vinegars have a murky appearance and typically still contain the mother culture. Clear and pasteurized vinegars typically do not contain the mother culture and don’t carry the same benefits. The Mother has a cobweb-like appearance and can make the vinegar look slightly congealed.
ACV Nutritional Information
Let’s talk about health benefits!
• Low in Calories
ACV contains around 3 calories per teaspoon which is why so many people use the liquid form as a substitute for salad dressing, marinades and in hot and cold drinks.
• Better Digestion
Heartburn, acid reflux, and other digestion problems are some of the most common health issues today. Millions of people suffer every time they have a meal. Many of them end up relying on potentially dangerous pharmaceutical drugs. Some of the most common digestion issues don’t stem from having too much stomach acid—but too little to break down foods properly. Ingesting apple cider vinegar can give your digestive system the extra acid it needs to work—without causing any problems.
An ingredient called “apple pectin fibre” is found in “the mother” of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. It eases the entire gastrointestinal tract, which helps take care of bloating, gas, and stomach cramps.
You can even use ACV as a mild laxative when you’re struggling with constipation. And don’t worry if your bowel movements are already regular. Adding ACV shouldn’t cause any issues.
As if all of that weren’t enough, acetic acid also helps you absorb the minerals in your food, so you can get the most nutritional bang for your buck.
• Antibacterial
People have used apple cider vinegar to clean and disinfect for thousands of years. It was one of the favourite methods of Hippocrates (the father of modern medicine) to treat wounds, sores, and ulcers.
Acetic acid kills contaminants and prevents them from multiplying or reaching harmful levels. Apple cider vinegar can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi such as; athlete’s foot, nail funguses, or warts.
• Better Blood Sugar Control
Apple cider vinegar’s effect on blood sugar is one of the most important (and well-researched) benefits to date. For one thing, ACV lowers blood sugar levels. That’s great for type 2 diabetics, who often struggle with chronically elevated blood sugar.
How does it work?
Scientists think the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar lowers blood sugar by preventing the complete digestion of complex carbs. This process probably delays gastric emptying—or decreases the rate at which body tissues uptake glucose.
The result: Sugar is released more slowly and evenly in the blood, leading to a more efficient insulin response.
ACV is also great for people who don’t have diabetes. Because elevated blood sugar is linked to premature aging and various chronic diseases, adding some ACV to your diet is a great way to keep it under control.
Numerous studies have found that ACV:
- Reduces blood sugar
- Increases insulin sensitivity
- Decreases the blood sugar response during meals
• Weight Loss
One study found that ingesting apple cider vinegar with meals increased the participants’ satiety (i.e., feelings of fullness). The participants who ate ACV ended up consuming fewer calories throughout the rest of the day… without even consciously trying.
Not all calories are created equal, but effortless reduction of your daily intake can add up to significant weight loss over time. Another study of obese people found that the daily consumption of apple cider vinegar resulted in a smaller waist circumference, less belly fat, and lower blood triglycerides.
ACV isn’t going to turn an obese person into a thin person by itself. But combined with other things like proper diet and exercise, it does create a tangible effect, which can lead to some pretty awesome results.
• Improves Heart Health.
Apple cider vinegar could also decrease some of the key risk factors of heart disease (the #1 cause of death). ACV has shown to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Multiple studies of rats confirmed the link between ACV consumption and improved heart health.
Apple cider vinegar also contains an antioxidant called “chlorogenic acid.” which keeps LDL cholesterol from becoming oxidized, which is key because it’s oxidized LDL (not LDL itself) that acts as a driver for an eventual diagnosis of heart disease.
A lot more research needs to be done to specifically explore the connection between apple cider vinegar and heart disease in humans. However, one observational study found that women who used apple cider vinegar in their salad dressings reduced their risk of heart disease.
Other ACV Uses
• Detox
Because apple cider vinegar helps balance the body’s pH levels, it’s a popular choice in many detox drinks and programs.
In an environment filled with so many toxins (e.g., in the air, water, and conventional foods), it’s a great way to get proactive about protecting yourself.
• Skin Care and Acne Treatment
One of the coolest things about apple cider vinegar is how it helps balance the pH of your skin. Imbalanced pH can lead to annoying skin issues, such as blemishes, age spots, clogged pores, and acne breakouts.
Most skin care products are on the alkaline side of the pH scale. ACV is more effective because its natural acidity is closer to the natural pH of your skin. Combined with its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, ACV how shown to be highly effective in promote skin health.
• Hair Care
For your hair, apple cider vinegar is hard to beat. People use it as a natural hair-care product because its acidity is close to that of human hair. ACV has shown to add body and shine to most hair types.
• Pets
Did you know apple cider vinegar can help your pets’ flea problems? It’s true. ACV helps re-establish pets’ “acid mantle” (i.e., the fine, slightly acidic film on the surface of their skin), which acts as a barrier to viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants (e.g., fleas).
• Around the House
Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar can make an awesome natural disinfectant. So, it’s a great alternative to expensive cleaning products, which are loaded with toxic chemicals. Just use one-part ACV and two parts water.
ACV is Great for Cleaning;
- Counter Tops
- Glasses
- Kitchen Surfaces
- Microwaves
- Mirrors
- Ovens & Range-hoods
- Toilets
- Windows
Caution: ACV may react with laxatives, diuretics, or medications for diabetes or heart disease. If you’re taking any of those, talk to your doctor before you add apple cider vinegar to your diet.
This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Results may vary from individual to individual
