15 Health Wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar

Lisa Franchi July 22, 2013

More and more people are acknowledging the fact that some of the best medicines in the world can be found in their kitchen. Wherever you look – internet, books or magazines – you will find many of the commonly used cooking spices, herbs and kitchen must-haves have been found to be as effective, if not better than what we pay for over the counter. We’ve heard about the amazing benefits of turmeric, garlic, tea, ginger, etc. Now, let’s talk about another common household good that turns out to be, a great addition to a healthy diet. It’s apple cider vinegar!

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a type of vinegar that is made from apple or cider which is commonly used in salad dressings, marinades, food preservatives, and so much more. But aside from its culinary uses, ACV is now gaining popularity as a health booster. Here are the major benefits of apple cider vinegar:

Shiny and Glowing Hair

ACV promotes thick, shiny and glowing hair. Infuse 1/2 a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of cold water and pour the solution to your hair after shampooing. Do it several times a week for dramatic results.

Healing of Warts

Warts are benign or non-cancerous skin growths that appear like solid blisters. Whilst it usually doesn’t cause serious health problems, having warts is really embarrassing and irritating. If you don’t want to undergo surgery to remove warts, try the ACV remedy. Soak a cotton pad in apple cider vinegar and place it on top of your wart, then secure it with a bandage. Leave it on overnight and remove in the morning. After a week of consistent application, you should be able to see the results.

Anti-Sunburn

You can relieve the pain and reduce skin peeling caused by sunburn by applying ACV on the affected area using a clean wash cloth.

Strong Oral Health

Mix ACV with water and then make it your natural mouthwash. This natural antiseptic will remove the bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque.

Anti-Varicose

Many women use ACV to eliminate varicose veins and maintain a youthful-looking skin. You can either mix 1-2 tablespoons in water and drink it or apply the vinegar on your skin.

Deodorant

Rubbing a little of ACV in the underarm could neutralise unwanted odour. What’s more – it doesn’t cause skin irritation or darkening which are common concerns among commercial deodorants.

Foot Pain Relief

Wearing high heels or gaining weight could cause swollen feet. This can be easily relieved using apple cider vinegar. Add a dash of ACV in lukewarm water and make it your natural foot soak.

Moisturised Skin

Why spend a fortune on expensive creams when you could have an inexpensive, safe and effective skin care product? Add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in your bath. This helps remove the toxins from your skin, leaving it soft, toned and moisturised.

Facial Mask

Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and clay mask and apply it on your face for 10-15 minutes. Then, rinse it with warm water. This detoxifying mask leaves your skin cleaner, fairer and smoother!

Regulated Skin PH Levels

Want a cheaper version of toner? Dilute apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water then apply it on your face using cotton. This can be done at night after washing or in the morning before you apply facial moisturiser. You can leave a dab of ACV on your face overnight to eliminate acne scars and age-related spots.

Whiter Teeth

Here’s another inexpensive and safer tooth-whitening method.  ACV can be used to remove stains on teeth. Just rub your teeth with apple cider vinegar and then rinse with water.

Weight Management

It may not be a weight loss miracle cure but ACV can help you reach your goal! In 2009, a study published in the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that participants who consumed 2 teaspoons of ACV mixed with water for 12 weeks experienced significant declines in body fat, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides (the bad cholesterol).

Anti-Allergy

Apple cider vinegar has the ability to break up mucous in the body and cleanse lymph nodes. Because of these, ACV is often used to alleviate allergy symptoms, particularly sinus congestion, sore throat and headache.

Anti-Yeast Infection

ACV is rich in natural enzymes that could help combat the growth of infection-causing yeast called candida or thrush. This type of bacteria is also said to cause fatigue, headache, and sugar craving.

Overall Detoxification

It is long believed that apple cider vinegar can help stimulate detoxification in the liver. This vinegar is rich in minerals, vitamins and enzymes that wash away toxins and free radicals in the body. They also help combat fungus and other types of bacteria.

So the next time you shop for your kitchen goods, don’t forget to add apple cider vinegar on the list!