I’ve been hearing about some of the benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar lately. So I’ve been a little curious to learn a little bit more about it. For a while I knew some of its uses for helping your skin but not a lot about drinking it for example.
There are many other health benefits to it as well, for example something simple, quick, and helpful that I didn’t know about is that it could help with the common sore throat. I still have yet to try it though. But now that I started researching a little more about it, I have found tons of things it can help with not just around the home in general but also the health benefits that it brings.
Here’s what I have found:
1. Soothes A Sore Throat
Apple cider vinegar has a surprisingly powerful host of abilities, including the ability to fight germs and bacteria.
Next time you feel pain or discomfort in your throat, try mixing about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water.
Gargle this mixture once every hour, for the acidic components of the vinegar to deplete the germs.
2. Relieves Heartburn
Many people turn to apple cider vinegar, and not antacids, to relieve symptoms of heartburn.
Reflux and heartburn are often caused by too little acid in the stomach, rather than too much.
Apple cider vinegar can aid digestion in giving our stomachs the heathy acid it needs, by mimicking the acidic conditions of the stomach to help break down food.
Try taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with water to soothe stomach troubles!
3. Clears A Stuffy Nose
Apple cider vinegar can also be used to effectively treat a sinus infection.
It contains healthy levels of B and E vitamins, calcium, potassium, and magnesium — all of which can help clear sinus cavities, and soothe allergy symptoms and breakouts.
Apple cider vinegar also has a relatively high pH level, that can help thin mucus, and break down bacteria growth.
Combine a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water to drink next time your nose is stuffy.
4. Gets Rid Of Dandruff
Dr. Oz suggests using apple cider vinegar to treat dandruff.
The high levels of acidity in the vinegar balances out the pH on your scalp, preventing further growth of yeast and bacteria.
Combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water, and spritz with a spray bottle. Wrap your hair with a towel, and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.
5. Relieves Nocturnal Leg Cramps
At times, leg cramps can signify that you have low levels of potassium in your body.
Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey and one glass of warm water to make a home remedy.
The high levels of potassium in the cider vinegar will help soothe any cramps you may have.
6. Keep Cholesterol Levels Healthy
Recent studies discussed in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry have proven that ACV can significantly help with lowering high cholesterol levels. Usually, people struggling to lower their cholesterol must take prescription medicine, which has numerous ill side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.
7. Naturally Lower Blood Sugar
Consuming just two tablespoons of ACV every night before you go to sleep can lower blood sugar levels, according to recent studies. ACV helps to improve insulin sensitivity, which is good news for diabetes patients who are struggling to get high blood sugar levels under control.
8. Natural Teeth Whitener
To make a natural whitener for your teeth, mix ACV in a 2:1 ratio with water. Swish with this solution for a couple of minutes before you brush your teeth with toothpaste. This can be done twice a day as part of your usual teeth cleaning schedule. It will make your teeth looking whiter and brighter in no time.
9. Help With Garden Weeds
Most store brand products for weeds contain glyphosate, which can make people very sick. An alternative to these toxic weed killers is to make your own natural version instead. All it takes is a few ingredients from the kitchen, and of course, ACV. In a one gallon container, such as a clean empty milk jug, pour in a half cup of salt, and one teaspoon of liquid soap for dishes. Then, fill the remainder of the container up with ACV. Give it a shake to mix up the ingredients, and it is ready to use. It will kill any plant that it is poured onto, so be sure to not put it too closely to plants that you want to keep. This recipe can be adjusted to make less or more, depending on how large your garden is.
10. Natural Odor Remover
Instead of chemical-laden deodorizing sprays, simply set a small jar of ACV in areas with strong odors that you want to remove. You can add a few slices of lemons or oranges to it, or even a couple of drops of essential oils, if you don’t like the natural ACV scent. This works great for the bathroom and kitchen.
11. Eliminate Bad Breath
Besides helping teeth look their best, ACV is great as a natural mouthwash. It helps fight bad breath because it kills off the harmful bacteria that causes foul odors. It is also helpful for healing any mouth sores or tooth infections that are present.
12. Reduce Fatigue
ACV is much more nutritious than sugar-laden energy drinks, which makes it perfect for reducing fatigue during an afternoon slump or boosting energy during a workout. It contains potassium and enzymes, as well as amino acids that revitalize your body and reduce lactic acid build-up. Sip it diluted in water or juice in a sport’s bottle while you exercise for the best benefits.
13. Helps Heal Acne
The acid in ACV makes it balance out the pH levels on facial skin, which reduces problematic acne. It is also antibacterial, so it prevents pimples from becoming infected. Apply it directly to blemishes with a cotton swab to heal them up quickly.
14. Soothe Skin
Summertime insect bites and jellyfish stings can be quickly soothed by applying ACV directly to the affected area. It is also great for itchy poison ivy rashes and sunburns too. If the itchy area is large, then the easiest way to apply ACV is by adding it to your bath water and soaking it in for a while.
15. Detoxifier
Exposure to toxins and pollution in the environment can make people very sick. By including ACV in your diet, and some other detox methods, these toxins can be flushed from the body though. ACV is a natural liver detoxifier because of its high potassium content, which makes it great at helping to cleanse lymph nodes too.
16. Removes Furniture Stains
As you can probably tell by now, apple cider vinegar is the magical solution to practically everything related to cleaning.
The substance can even remove water and food stains from furniture, carpets, and cloth!
Use unfiltered vinegar, and maybe even add a few tablespoons of salt, to make a solution to rub onto the stain. Let it dry, and then vacuum over the surface.
17. Clear Sinuses
Sip a cup of water with apple cider vinegar. It will have antibacterial effects on your throat and may help to reduce and break-up the mucus.
18. Sunburn
This vinegar has the ability to sooth and cool the sunburnt skin and it also restores the skin’s pH. Add a cup or two of apple cider vinegar to a bath and soak for 10 minutes.
19. All Purpose Cleaner
Make your own cleaner to remove the unnecessary chemicals in your home. This vinegar is double fermented and is an excellent detoxifier. Simply mix 1 part water, 1 part apple cider vinegar and 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil together in a spray bottle.
20. Flea Repellent (pets)
This vinegar is an excellent flea repellent. Just apply it topically to your dog’s skin or put it in a spray bottle and spray over fur and in the dog’s bed.
21. Stop Your Pet From Chewing On Your Things
Most of the animals can’t stand the smell of vinegar so they will avoid chewing on cords, couches etc. Put some apple cider vinegar on those things once a week. If your dog pees in your house, clean it up with apple cider vinegar cleaner and they’ll never pee there again.
22. Alkalization
Diseases can’t thrive in an alkaline environment and the regular consumption of apple cider vinegar can help your body maintain a healthy pH level.
As you can see, I was more interested in the healthy benefits but noticed some good general household uses and wanted to include them here, there are tons of benefits and uses, these are only scratching the surface of what this almost miraculous natural substance can do.
Take a look at my favorite Apple Cider Vinegar here
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