The list of super foods is growing. A super food is something that contains a high number of essential nutrients that, when consumed on a regular basis, can have a positive effect on your health. Hardly a week goes by without another super food being championed by the media.
Super foods such as pure cocoa, blueberries, green tea, spinach and maca are all promoted as having amazing health qualities but the newest, yet the oldest super food is raw apple cider vinegar.
It has been around for centuries and was used in both cooking and medicine. Manufactured from fermented whole apples, the best apple cider vinegar is raw. That is to say it has not been pasteurized, distilled, or filtered as these processes can reduce the healthful properties of the vinegar.
When you think of apple cider, you probably think of fall. A warm sweet glass full of apples and spice that warms the body on a cool fall day and this delicious drink is where this miracle tonic gets its start. It begins life as apples that are pulverized to make cider. This cider is then combined with yeast which turns the sugars in the cider into alcohol. From this point, the cider wine continues to ferment until it sours and turns into vinegar.
There are numerous health benefits of apple cider vinegar including:
- A natural acne fighter and skin toner
- A wart remover
- A hair rinse to brighten and nourish dull hair
- Removes lice, fleas, ticks, etc
- Cures infections
- Removes toxins
- A natural aftershave
- Relieves sunburn
And so much more!
The most important benefits of using apple cider vinegar are the effects that take place inside of the body. When added to your daily diet, its effects are pretty amazing. Let's take a look at a few of these benefits:
Improved Digestion and Weight Loss
ACV can help restore normal acid levels in your digestive system which helps break down fats and proteins. This allows your body to digest food easier and more thoroughly which promotes nutrient absorption by the body and overall health. Apple cider vinegar can also help you feel fuller which will help you eat less and take some of the strain off of your digestive system. It is also been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels which promotes weight loss and lowers the risk of diabetes. One study also showed that regular supplementation with apple cider vinegar reduced body fat, triglyceride levels, and was effective for overall weight loss. It is a great weight loss supplement and an easy way to fight obesity.
Helps Prevent Cancer
Apple cider vinegar slows the growth of cancer cells and possibly even kills cancer cells. The results of studies have been somewhat contradictory on this subject but many possibilities are mentioned. Some think that the acetic acid in vinegar could be the cancer fighting ingredient. Others have proposed the pectin found in apples as well as polyphenols as possible anti-cancer ingredients. The true source is still a mystery but preliminary evidence has shown that apple cider vinegar is useful in the prevention of some forms of cancer.
Improved Cholesterol Levels and Blood Pressure
A preliminary study performed in rats has shown that apple cider vinegar can significantly reduce cholesterol in the body. Since the study was performed on rats, some speculate that these properties may not be the same in humans. Further studies are needed to confirm but preliminary evidence is positive. A similar study also showed positive results for lowering of blood pressure and heart disease as well. Due to the low number of side effects and the evidence suggesting it may reduce overall risk factors for heart disease, a regular dose of apple cider vinegar might be good advice.
Liver and Other Organ Detoxification
The anti-bacterial properties of apple cider vinegar help cleanse the body of toxin build-up as well as reduce levels of harmful bacteria. The body's PH balance is also stabilized by regular doses as well which helps to promote the natural cleansing effect of the body. Apple cider vinegar has also been used to treat allergies as well by cleansing mucous out of the sinuses and cleansing the lymph nodes.
When considering taking apple cider vinegar, make sure to find organic, unfiltered, and unpasteurized vinegar. You want untreated vinegar to maximize the health properties. Before beginning any supplement program, even a natural one, speak with your doctor about possible side effects and interactions with any medications you are taking. Apple cider vinegar can be taken straight from the bottle or through other forms such as pills to avoid the sour taste and acidity.
Head on over to Natures blends to find your fill of the best and purest Apple Cider Vinegar!