Apple cider vinegar is one of those common household items that has so many uses that it’s no surprise it’s a timeless trend on social media. You’ve probably seen the TikTok videos and content on apple cider vinegar’s many health benefits and other ACV hacks. This made us wonder whether all the hype surrounding ACV has some truth to it or is just a bunch of exaggerated claims. After all, can you actually use it to boost your health and clean your home?
Vinegar has a long history, dating back to at least 5,000 B.C. Its many uses include preservation, flavoring, pickling and medicine. Apple cider vinegar, in particular, has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and there’s research to back up at least some of the claims circulating about its wellness benefits. Yes, there are health benefits to apple cider vinegar that you can cash in on with the proper dosage. Don’t overlook the potential side effects before trying it out. Read on to learn about the possible health benefits, side effects and the best dosage to follow.
For more kitchen-to-wellness content, here’s whether your nonstick cookware is safe to use and 11 foods that should not be staples of your diet. When you combine apples, sugar and yeast and allow it to ferment, it creates apple cider vinegar. Over several weeks, the yeast will digest the sugar to make alcohol. Once this happens, natural bacteria will turn the alcohol into acetic acid, which is where the pungent odor and taste of apple cider vinegar comes from. You have two options when you buy apple cider vinegar: filtered and pasteurized, or raw and unfiltered. The cloudy sediment that collects in the bottom of the bottle is “the mother,” which is a combination of bacteria and yeast. Some speculate the mother is what provides the health benefits, as it contains trace amounts of healthy bacteria and probiotics. Apple cider vinegar can be used in the kitchen, around the home and for your health as a:
- Pathogen killer;
- Weight loss aid;
- Preservative.