Apple cider vinegar — a low-acidity, slightly-sweet vinegar made from fermenting crushed apples — traces its historic roots all the way back to 5,0000 BCE. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the ancient Babylonians used apple cider vinegar as potent medicine and a drinkable tonic that they believed would increase their health and wellness.
That practice continues to this day. You can use apple cider vinegar in a seemingly endless array of scenarios to bolster your nutrition, strengthen your health, upgrade your skincare and beauty routine, and even clean your home.
You can find this all-natural health product in a variety of convenient formats:
- Liquid form: The most versatile type of apple cider vinegar. It's ideal for drinking, cleaning, washing, and all other uses.
- Tablet form: Encapsulated apple cider vinegar. Perfect for taking as a health supplement when on-the-go.
- Powder form: Vinegar powder adds all the flavor, nutrition and health properties of apple cider vinegar to your favorite recipes, without the mess of dealing with liquid vinegar.
- Infused products: From apple cider vinegar-infused teas to flavored tonics, there are many products available that make drinking apple cider vinegar convenient and enjoyable.
Many salad dressings and similar recipes call for this mellow vinegar. But to truly experience all of the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar, think beyond the cookbook. The following list will get you started.
The #1 Reason to Use Apple Cider Vinegar: Nutrition
Why Drink Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar has a lower acetic acid level (5-6 percent) compared to the 8+ percent seen in many other common types of vinegar. This means it's less "sour," and it also has a slightly sweet flavor and aroma from the apples. This makes it ideal for adding to beverages, or even drinking on its own as a health shot.
But the actual value of drinking apple cider vinegar goes far beyond just its tangy taste. In fact, this fermented liquid is a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition.
What Nutrients Are in Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a naturally fermented product. When you choose an organic, raw apple cider vinegar, you get the full spectrum of prebiotics, probiotics (gut-friendly bacteria), enzymes and proteins generated by the fermentation process. That's why raw apple cider vinegar has a cloudy look to it.
Apple cider vinegar is also:
- Naturally fat-free
- Practically free of carbohydrates (the amount in a tablespoon serving is almost negligible)
- Compatible with most special dietary concerns (e.g., gluten, allergies, keto, etc.)
- High in essential minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and zinc
Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 Ways to Use ACV as a Nutritional Supplement
1. Boost Your Gut Health
Gut health is linked to not only improve digestion, a stronger immune system, and even a healthier metabolism, but researchers have found a powerful gut-brain connection that suggests a healthy gut may correlate to better brain health, improved cognition, reduced levels of stress, and much more.
2. Manage Your Blood Sugar
The rates of diabetes continue to rise by 1.5 million Americans every year, and nearly 90 million Americans have prediabetes (meaning you're at risk of developing diabetes).
One study found that diabetic people who took apple cider vinegar every evening before bed (such as in a soothing mug of apple cider vinegar tea) reduced their fasting blood sugar significantly.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar: 15 More Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar
3. Eliminate Odors
Combine the vinegar with water and spritz it anywhere you struggle with bad odors in your home, such as in the bathroom or at the bottom of your kitchen trash can. The vinegar eliminates bad smells and also kills the bacteria that may be creating the odors.
4. Clean Everywhere
Apple cider vinegar helps dissolve grime, oil and dirt. It's also gentle enough for most surfaces, making it a perfect DIY general purpose cleaner.
5. Sanitize Your Hard Surfaces
Whether you're worried about the cold and flu, or you want to keep your bathroom sparkling fresh, apple cider vinegar has significant antimicrobial properties. Use it to sanitize counters, doorknobs and light switches, toilet seats and more.
6. Smooth Your Hair
The pH levels of apple cider vinegar help to close the cuticles on your hair. Use it as a rinse to smooth and tame frizz and leave your hair feeling soft and glossy.
7. Cook the Perfect Egg
If you struggle with peeling hard-boiled eggs, add a dash of apple cider vinegar to the boiling water. The acidic vinegar helps you to cook the perfect egg and makes peeling a breeze.
8. Marinate Your Food
From meat to plant-based options like tofu, apple cider vinegar helps to texturize and add flavor to your dinner. Mix it with your favorite seasonings for added deliciousness.
9. Kill Weeds
Spray apple cider vinegar on unwanted plants, such as dandelions in your garden beds, to naturally kill them.
10. Freshen Your Breath
Gargle apple cider vinegar and water. It'll refresh your mouth and eliminate the bacteria that cause bad breath (and gum disease). It may also help to fade coffee stains and other surface stains so your smile is brighter and whiter.
11. Wash Dishes
Mix apple cider vinegar with your favorite dish detergent to power-up your cleaning power. You can also add it to your dishwasher for sparkling dishes (and no odors in the machine).
12. Clarify Your Skin and Hair
If you've got a lot of clogged pores, or a lot of hair products built up in your hair, the astringent, clarifying properties of vinegar can help to get rid of grime, oil and buildup and enhance the effects of any other skincare or haircare products you use afterwards.
13. Clean Vegetables
Most of the produce you bring home from the grocery store is covered in preservatives, pesticides and other things you might not want to put in your body. Apple cider vinegar is a natural, organic way to clean your fruits and veggies.
14. Remove Stains
If you have stains from rust or similar minerals, the chemical properties of vinegar helps to dissolve the metals and get rid of discoloration.
15. Preserve Food
Whether you're preparing for an emergency, or just want to preserve surplus food from your garden, apple cider vinegar is perfect for pickling, canning and preserving.
16. Freshen Your Underarms
Many people are worried about the aluminum and other chemicals in commercial deodorants. A quick wipe with apple cider vinegar can help get rid of odors and leave you feeling dry and clean.
17. Improve Food Flavors
Apple cider vinegar helps to "brighten" the flavor of all foods, especially meals that contain proteins or fats. Use a dash of it to wake up your favorite dishes and sauces.
Shop Apple Cider Vinegar from Co-op Market
As you can see, apple cider vinegar's diverse uses makes it a must-have staple that every kitchen needs. Co-op Market offers a convenient selection of apple cider vinegar in liquid, tablet and powdered form to meet all of your household and health needs, plus delicious infused products like teas and tonics. Browse our selection of health and wellness products today!
