Apple cider vinegar is used in many recipes and is great for making homemade salad dressing. But there may be health benefits for adding this common, affordable ingredient to your regular grocery list. Here are some of the things apple cider vinegar (ACV) may be able to do for you.
What Is Vinegar?
Vinegar is a liquid that is made by fermenting a sugar source, such as apples, grapes, or rice. The fermentation results in an acidic product made by microorganisms as they break down the sugars.
The Specific Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider is particularly high in acetic acid compared to other types of vinegar, and that results in some extra good health benefits when it's used. Some of these benefits might include:
- Increased heart health
- Better cognitive function
- Support for healthy cholesterol levels
In addition, researchers have found that ACV helps increase metabolism. When taken before a meal, it can make you feel fuller, so you eat less. It can also help block the absorption of some of the carbohydrates you eat and decrease the storage of fat.
Because it is fermented, apple cider vinegar that hasn't been pasteurized contains healthy microorganisms that can improve your gut health. Not only that, but research indicates that acetic acid may help increase good gut flora in mice, so there's reason to believe that it can help good microbes flourish in human GI tracts, as well, making it a prebiotic as well as a probiotic.
Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar
In order to get more ACV into your diet, you can do the following:
- Use a splash as salad dressing
- Use it as a base for marinades, especially for fish or chicken
- Add a bit to your steamed vegetables
- Mix a teaspoon into some warm water, add a teaspoon of honey, and sip
Apple cider vinegar can be a healthy addition to your daily routine.