Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been known for centuries for its health benefits. Whether it’s for your skin or managing your blood sugar levels, among others, let’s discover the use of ACV.
How I Experienced The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
A few months ago, my cousin reminded me that I used to use ACV on my hair after my shampoo, years ago. I can’t remember why I stopped, but I decided to try it again. My scalp had been dry for months, showed some eczema on my hairline, and it looked like I had dandruff all the time. Not a very sexy look in my books.
So I bought a bottle of organic and unfiltered ACV, mixed a couple of tablespoons with 75cL of water in a bottle. After my shampoo, I poured the ACV concoction on my hair. I rinsed very briefly because the smell is really pungent. But don’t worry, I also remembered that the smell disappears really quickly.
After the second use of this mixture, my eczema was no more.
It looks like I’ve never had any, and my hair is so shiny it looks I used a conditioner – I don’t use any. It’s now part of my hair routine. So I decided to go into the benefits of ACV because I know there are loads more.
Several studies look at the benefits of apple cider vinegar. However, there aren’t enough results to prove a cause to effect so I will employ the term “may do this and that”.
Potential Benefits of ACV
It may help skin conditions. Apple cider vinegar has been known for its soothing effect on skin conditions like eczema and dry skin. ACV is relatively acidic, like the skin, so it helps rebalance the natural pH of the skin, contrary to alkaline soaps.
It is antibacterial so ACV will naturally remove bacteria, and potentially can improve acne for example.
Obviously we’re all different and our skin is specific to our body type. Talk to your doctor before using new products on an existing condition.
It may help manage blood sugar levels. ACV has been used to treat type 2 diabetes, which is an issue with the role of insulin in your body. ACV is suggested to help lower insulin sensitivity. This makes it the perfect ingredient for people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
My favourite way to use ACV is to add it into your salad vinaigrette, with olive oil and Dijon mustard.
It may aid weight loss. Studies show that people feel fuller after consuming ACV. And if we consider that ACV lowers blood sugar levels, when trying to lose weight, you can focus on low glycemic ingredients. That will keep your blood sugar levels low in general and not disturb the fat storage process. This makes it your friend and you can use it freely (and in moderation of course).
It helps with cleaning the house! Being an antimicrobial substance, you can use ACV to create an all-purpose cleaner. For this, dilute it with an equal part of water. You can also wash your toilets with pure ACV. Ad it will help clean your windows, and deodorise your large appliances like your washing machine: run it on empty with 2 cups of ACV in the laundry detergent container.
How Should You Drink It?
Apple cider vinegar is too acidic to drink straight so dilute it into a glass of water if you want to drink it on its own. It can also damage the enamel from your teeth so make sure to mix it with water.
I can’t say that ACV is safe for everyone to drink so if you’re taking medication, refer to your practitioner before adding a lot of vinegar into your diet. All these benefits are considered traditional remedies and might not be adapted to everyone. But if you’re generally healthy and want to try something for one of the above reasons, always do so in moderation 😉
Let me know in the comments if this was helpful and how you use your ACV !
You might also like What You Need to Know About Sugar, How to Understand and Optimise Your Blood Sugar Levels, or My Step-by-Step Skincare Routine.
