Apple Cider Vinegar

A cooking ingredient that helps in weight loss, beauty treatments and can also be used as a cleansing agent … Sounds interesting doesn’t it? Yes, apple cider vinegar is the substance that has all these properties. Here is all the information you need about apple cider vinegar…

What exactly is apple cider vinegar?

Vinegar in general is nothing but a product of fermentation. When a sugar is fermented it yields alcohol, which in turn produces vinegar on further fermentation. Apple cider vinegar is made from pulverized apples. The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar is acetic acid and it also contains other acids, vitamins, mineral salts, and amino acids. Apple cider vinegar popularly called cider vinegar is made from apple juice, and is often sold unfiltered. It is brownish-yellow in color and contains a substance called ‘mother of vinegar’ which is composed of cellulose and acetic acid bacteria.

What are the different benefits and applications of apple cider vinegar?

Although there have been many benefits and applications of apple cider vinegar, some of these have no scientific backing. Apple cider has known to be used as a skin toner, a medicine for sore throat, and an ingredient in cooking as well as a cleansing agent that removes stains. Apple cider vinegar is used as a homemade skin toner, which helps to rejuvenate the skin and preventing it from developing scales. Apple cider vinegar also helps to get rid of blemishes and is a great remedy for sunburns, however it has to be diluted with water according to the skin type since different skin types can react differently to this apple cider vinegar treatment. Apple cider vinegar has also been recommended by many beauty experts to cleanse greasy and oily hair.

Many people consume apple cider vinegar with small quantities of honey as a remedy to cure several health problems and maintain an overall healthy metabolism and body functioning. Apple cider vinegar can be used while cooking various meat preparations to eliminate the greasy taste and promote a better texture. Apple cider vinegar is also used in several salad dressings. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a stain remover to remove difficult stains. Several studies have also observed that the use of apple cider vinegar helps in reducing blood sugar levels in case of diabetic patients, and reducing the risks of cancer.

Disadvantages/ risks of using apple cider vinegar?

Although apple cider vinegar has several useful application and benefits, there are several risks or disadvantages associated with the use of apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is very harsh due to the presence of acetic acid and hence needs to be diluted before use. Use of apple cider vinegar for a long time can lead to lower potassium levels and lower bone density. In case you are on medication for diabetes or any heart problems, you should know that apple cider vinegar could interfere with the medicines and hamper their effect, and hence you need to consult your physician before using apple cider vinegar in any way be it topical application or direct consumption. Commercially produced apple cider vinegar can include other harmful ingredients, which might have an adverse effect, and hence it is difficult to find pure and safe variety of apple cider vinegar.