What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice, and can be used for anything from making salad dressings to household cleaners, with even some people using it medicinally, though the jury is still out on the supposed health claims.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar Used For?
For those wanting to use apple cider vinegar around the house, do we have quite the list for you:
Pickling Vegetables
Who said pickling vegetables had to take a lot of time and effort? Well, use equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, throw in some sugar, salt and other spices, and add vegetables. In no time, you’ll have a jar of pickled cucumbers, onions, green beans, or any other veggie that strikes your fancy.
Natural Weed Repellent
Weeds getting in the way but you don’t want to use any pesticides or herbicides? Just add in some apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle with water and spray away!
Poaching Eggs
Have trouble creating the perfect poached egg? Just add in a splash of apple cider vinegar to the water! This will help the egg whites firm up faster. Using vinegar when boiling eggs can also speed up the potential clotting of the egg whites.
Bone Broth
If you’re wanting to make your own homemade bone broth, just add some ACV into a slow cooker, along with the bones. Doing this brings in the nutrients and minerals from the bones into the water.
Salad Dressings and Marinades
With just a small amount of apple cider vinegar you can add a nice tanginess to any of your favorite salad dressings or marinades. Fun fact: it’s actually an ingredient in many steak marinades, giving the meat a sweet and sour flavor!
Whitening Laundry
You can mix 1/4 of a cup of apple cider vinegar with baking soda, to whiten and brighten your laundry!
Baking
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a texture enhancer, while baking. It’s especially helpful for vegan recipes that need an egg substitute.
Tooth Whitener
Who needs those expensive teeth whitening kits or a visit to an even more expensive specialist when you can get similar results by simply mixing apple cider vinegar with baking soda to create a foamy at-home solution to whiten those chompers of yours?
Tooth Brush Cleaner
Since apple cider vinegar has many antibacterial properties, it can be utilized to clean your tooth brush! Quick directions on how to make this cleaner: Mix half a cup of water with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and then add in 2 teaspoons of baking soda and make sure to mix well. Then leave the head of your toothbrush in the mix for about 30 minutes. After it’s cleaned, make sure you rinse the toothbrush off to prevent damage to your teeth.
Home Cleaning Products
Apple cider vinegar also makes for a very versatile ingredients for a number of DIY home cleaning products, including a general household cleaner, a way to unclog blocked drains, and even a stain remover. Each of these three solutions don’t require a lot of work or supplies to put together.
Fruit Fly Prevention
Having trouble fighting off the fruit fly infestation that has taken over your kitchen (and house)? Well, mix some apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and water in a small ball and leave it in your kitchen. Those annoying flies will be retreating before you know it.
Vegan Buttermilk
What about the vegans and lactose intolerant out there who still want the cooking properties of buttermilk? Here’s an easy recipe involving apple cider vinegar that will get you on your way.
Skin Toner
People with skin issues who are looking for a way to treat their oily skin should look no further than this recipe that will make you wonder why you didn’t try apple cider vinegar sooner.
Shampoo Substitute
Tired of commercial shampoos waging war on the hair it’s supposed to be cleaning? You could always follow this method of switching to baking soda and apple cider vinegar to try out the “no shampoo method.”
Get Rid of Fleas
Anyone with a dog or cat knows that flea medication is criminally expensive. There’s no getting around it either, unless you want your favorite pet to be scratching all day while simultaneously spreading fleas wherever they go. So, what do you do if you can’t afford the stuff? Well, you mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water and the fleas won’t want anything to do with them.
Natural Weed Killer
Know what else hates apple cider vinegar? Weeds. Those little pesky suckers just can’t stand the sight or smell of the stuff, so drop some apple cider vinegar around your garden and lawn and those weeds will be gone for good.
What Are The Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar has quite a few health benefits, but as the University of Chicago School of Medicine stressed, it might be best to use the stuff as a supplement rather than a replacement for medications and other treatments.
Blood Sugar Control
A study published by the Journal of the American Association of Diabetes in 2004 came to the conclusion that apple cider vinegar significantly lowered post-meal blood glucose levels. An additional study showed that drinking 2 tablespoons of ACV before bedtime can decreases the fasting blood sugar in the morning by 9%.
Weight Loss
A study published by the Journal of Functional Food showed that apple cider vinegar could help with weight loss. In the study, participants drank 15ml of apple cider vinegar with lunch and dinner while also reducing their diet by 250 calories each day. In the end, the people in the ACV group lost almost 9 pounds over the 12 week study.
Cancer Treatment
Numerous studies have shown that various types of vinegar can shrink tumors and even kill cancer cells, but all of those tests were performed on isolated cells in test tubes, which isn’t necessarily the same as a living human being.
Are there any side effects of drinking apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar has been known to have more than a few side effects, but they typically only affect those who drink vinegar in high doses. So, as long as you avoid drinking entire bottles of apple cider vinegar, you’ll probably be able to escape any of the following side effects.
Digestive Side Effects
While apple cider vinegar may reduce your appetite, but it can also cause nausea when not properly mixed with a drink. Make sure to follow the proper measurements if you want to avoid an off-putting taste.
Tooth Enamel Erosion
With apple cider vinegar being rather acidic, it’s no surprise that high doses will lead to tooth enamel erosion in the long run. With a weakened enamel, it’s only a matter of time before users start to experience tooth decay.
Burning Sensation
Same as with the tooth decay, the acidity of apple cider vinegar can also cause burns in both the throat and on the skin.
With that being said, it’s probably best to not overdo it with the apple cider vinegar.
