Apple cider vinegar is a versatile ingredient used in many homes from the kitchen to the medicine cabinet to the bathroom and is used in several ways. Apple cider vinegar contains iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, amino acids, antioxidants, polyphenols, dietary fibers, and only 3 calories every tablespoon. It contains significant quantities of acetic acid and citric acid. 

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is used both as a natural preservative and a disinfectant. It can destroy harmful bacterias and stop them from multiplying. Apple cider vinegar is also used in salad dressings, baking, cooking, for skin and hair issues, and many health conditions like obesity and diabetes.

How is apple cider vinegar made?

Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apple juice. First, apples are crushed, and their juice is squeezed out. Then yeast is added to start the fermentation process, which converts the sugar from the juice into alcohol. This process takes a week or two. In the second step of fermentation, the alcohol is converted into vinegar or acetic acid by acetic acid bacteria. Acetic acid is responsible for the tangy taste of the vinegar. Strands of a “mother ” are formed in the apple cider which is strained out to make it look more appealing. But this leads to the loss of many enzymes and nutrients. The “mother” is also used to make another batch of vinegar. The apple cider vinegar is then allowed to mature over several months. Apple cider vinegar contains 94% water and 1% carbohydrates with no protein or fat.

Best apple cider vinegar to consume

The best apple cider vinegar to consume is the “mother” or the unfiltered microbial culture left in the vinegar before distilling and pasteurization. The Mother primarily consists of yeast, bacteria, and cellulose, and you can see strands of cloudy substance floating around. 

The Mother is ripe with natural protein, acetic acid, and healthy bacteria. It forms a cloudy, brownish vinegar. A filtered and pasteurized vinegar will look absolutely clear. The raw apple cider vinegar is full of proteins, probiotics and gives a tangy flavor to soups, salads, and sauces. 

The unpasteurized apple cider vinegar contains healthy bacteria that can improve your digestive health. The healthy bacteria in raw apple cider can strengthen your immune system and keep a lot of diseases and infections at bay. The Mother can also improve your hair and skin health. It can lower your hair’s pH to fight that frizzy feel. Raw apple cider vinegar has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties. It can balance the skin’s pH level and has an exfoliating effect on the skin. It can also help control bacteria that cause scalp itchiness. 

Benefits and uses of apple cider vinegar

• If mixed with dish soap and water in a bowl, this mixture can keep the fruit flies away. Diluted apple cider vinegar when spritzed in your garden can ward off the weeds and pesticides. 
• It also prevents bacteria like E-coli from spoiling food and therefore is also used as a food preservative.
• Apple cider vinegar is shown to help lower blood sugar responses after meals and manage diabetes. However, you cannot stop having your medications. It is shown to lower blood sugar significantly when consumed before a high-fiber diet.
• Some studies reveal that apple cider vinegar can aid in weight loss by spiking the feelings of fullness. This can help you stay on track with your diet.
• Apple cider vinegar is also a natural laxative and can improve digestion. It can also relieve heartburn and decrease bloating.
• It is also an effective remedy for skin conditions like eczema, as it has antimicrobial properties and is naturally acidic. Apple cider vinegar can rebalance the skin’s pH, and its antibacterial properties can be beneficial in acne.
• Apple cider vinegar can also reenergize the scalp, make your hair tangle-free, reduce hair frizz, treat dandruff, and at the same time add shine to them.
• Due to its antifungal properties, this vinegar can also be helpful in Candida in the mouth. Apple cider vinegar can also fight bad breath.
• Studies have shown that due to the presence of several antioxidants, apple cider vinegar can curtail bad cholesterol and spike good cholesterol. It is also helpful in keeping your heart healthy.
• Diluted apple cider vinegar can also be used for pets to get rid of fleas. However, it is best to do a patch test to see if your pet has a reaction to it.
• It can also help alleviate the symptoms of cold and cough.

How to drink apple cider and the best time to consume it?

The best time to consume apple cider vinegar is on an empty stomach in the morning or right before a meal. Having apple cider vinegar right before a meal gives you the feeling of fullness, and that can help you meet your weight loss goals. Having apple cider vinegar every day can enhance your health. However, apple cider vinegar is highly acidic in nature so, having more than one tablespoon at one time can cause nausea and other health issues in the long run.

Apple cider vinegar is loaded with innumerable benefits. However, if used the wrong way, it can be potentially unhealthy and dangerous. Let’s clear up the confusion and discuss the different ways to consume it. Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature. Therefore, the best way to consume it is to dilute it, preferably in the ratio of 1:10 ( one part vinegar and 10 parts water). Diluting apple cider vinegar will not only protect your throat and stomach from the acid but will also make it far more palatable. Apple cider vinegar can be consumed with honey to mellow down its puckery taste and also amp up its health quotient. This wonderful concoction can also help alleviate the symptoms of cold and cough.

Downsides of apple cider vinegar

• Some studies suggest that apple cider vinegar can lower potassium levels in the body.
• Individuals with diabetes can experience an alteration in their insulin levels and should be careful when having vinegar. According to a study with people with Type 1 diabetes, apple cider vinegar can slow down digestion making it harder to control blood sugar levels.
• The taste may not suit everyone’s palate.
• There are still very few studies to prove that drinking diluted apple cider vinegar can help lose weight.
• There is not enough clinical evidence to prove that regular consumption of apple cider vinegar has any medicinal or nutritional value.
• It’s topical use to treat skin diseases may lead to burns.
• It may be unsafe for consumption for breastfeeding and pregnant women and for children also.
• Due to its acidic nature, apple cider vinegar can cause tooth decay and weaken tooth enamel even when consumed in diluted form.

Safety concerns

Apple cider vinegar has lots of health benefits, is calorie-free, adds flavor to foods but consuming large amounts over long periods of time can be precarious. The correct dose of apple cider vinegar depends upon an individual’s age, health, and many other conditions. You should follow your physician’s or other health care professional’s advice before using it, especially if you are pregnant. Consuming apple cider vinegar without diluting it can damage your esophagus and throat. Therefore, the best way to consume it is by adding water to it.

The  Takeaway

Apple cider vinegar can’t be a replacement for a balanced diet and exercise. It can definitely improve your health but won’t work miracles if you don’t take other steps towards your health. However, apple cider vinegar should not be overconsumed. Moderation is always the key!