4 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
The benefits of apple cider vinegar seem to be causing endless buzz in the health world lately. But did you know it’s actually existed as a healing elixir for thousands of years?
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed it to patients suffering coughs and colds around 400 BC. Doctors in the American Civil War even used it to treat soldier’s wounds. That’s great, you are saying, but what can I use it for in 2017? Well enthusiastic student, thank you for speaking up! Turns out the benefits of apple cider vinegar are many and varied. From practical physical and mental qualities to keep you performing at your best. So prepare for transformation, health warrior.
Reduce Blood Pressure
Because apple cider vinegar helps minimise bad cholesterol, the knock-on effect causes a reduction in blood pressure. This is great news! But want to know something even better? Due to its detoxifying properties, your body is able to work harder when you’re feeling stressed and fighting off sickness or disease. As if it could get any better, the high amounts of potassium act as a cleaning agent inside your arteries, removing excess sodium and reducing blood pressure even further. So if you’ve got exams or your boss is riding you at work, a little vinegar can make all the difference.
Help With Digestion And Bloating
Is there anything worse than bloating? Even the word sounds hectic. You’re trying to squeeze past people socialising after dinner but your stomach is pressing against a stranger’s waist and you can hardly breathe. Well, have no fear! Apple cider vinegar works to produce greater quantities of enzymes in the stomach, simulating digestion. The result? You’re slipping out the front door of the restaurant as trim as you arrived.
Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
While we should all be avoiding sugar and refined carbs, sometimes we give in to cravings. Luckily, this vinegaer has been shown to stabilise blood sugar levels and improve insulin function. What! Say that again? Okay. When eating high-carb meals, ACV actually increases insulin sensitivity while dramatically reducing blood glucose. With sugar now linked to mood swings, weight gain and responsible for roughly 184,000 deaths every year, this miracle elixir can be a great remedy when combating the drug’s ill effects. What a time to be alive!
Help Improve Nutrient Absorption
Fun fact: did you know that most of us aren’t producing enough stomach acid? No! Sadly, it’s true. This is important because our bodies require stomach acid to absorb nutrients. Protein-digesting enzymes allow us to break down kale, broccoli and spinach, all the health snacks we’ve been eating, right people? When you introduce apple cider vinegar to your diet, your body is able to fully harness and absorb vitamins and minerals like: folate, B12, calcium and zinc. So do yourself a favour and work some of into your life. Your body will scream hallelujah!
To receive all these benefits, simply mix 2 tbsp. of unfiltered organic ACV into a glass of water and drink before your next meal. Easy!
Bringing you stories from our HelloFresh family from all over the world. This story was originally published on our Australian blog: blog.hellofresh.com.au
