Apple cider vinegar has been touted as a cure-all remedy for centuries. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used it for treating coughs and healing wounds. Since then, the fame regarding its health benefits has never subsided.
There is a long list of apple cider vinegar benefits. It boosts your immunity, lowers blood pressure, improves heart health, and strengthens skin and hair. Moreover, it improves your gut health and encourages weight loss.
Although the famed health benefits of apple cider vinegar require extensive research, they have a solid anecdotal account.
Let’s have a good look at what is apple cider vinegar and how it improves your immune system.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is the fermented juice of apples. When crushed apples are mixed with yeast, the sugar converts into alcohol. This alcohol is further fermented into acetic acid, which forms vinegar. Acetic acid is the mastermind behind apple cider vinegar’s wellness.
Apple cider vinegar comes in two forms:
- Filtered/ diluted – the filtered, clear liquid usually available in the market.
- Unfiltered/ mother vinegar – the unfiltered apple cider vinegar continuing probiotics, enzymes, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. These substances give mother vinegar a cloudy or hazy appearance. This version of ACV is considered more healthy owing to the nutrients present.
How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Improve Your Immunity?
Here are a few ways apple cider vinegar can be a good choice for your immune system.
1. Contains Probiotics
The mother version of apple cider vinegar contains an ample amount of probiotics along with other nutrients. These probiotics replenish your gut’s healthy bacteria (the normal flora). The normal flora boosts your immunity and keeps you safe from infections. ACV also improves your digestion and prevents bloating and constipation.
2. Kills Harmful Bacteria
The acetic acid present in ACV possesses antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. It works as antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal and keeps your body safe from invaders.
Apple cider vinegar is particularly beneficial for fungal toenail infection and skin acne.
3. Combats Cold And Cough
Apple cider vinegar contains probiotics that combat respiratory infections, like flu, cough, or cold. It also possesses antioxidants and polyphenols that can subside cold symptoms. Also, rubbing a small amount of ACV around your throat or sinuses help relieve the congestion.
4. Boosts Nutrition Levels
Besides acetic acid, ACV also contains malic acid, proteins, enzymes, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, probiotics, and fiber. These substances add to your body’s nutrition and improve your health and immunity.
5. Helps In Detoxification
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that reduces the fat buildup in the liver and abdomen. It improves metabolism, kicking harmful substances out of your body. Detoxification clears your gut and strengthens skin health.
5 Easy Ways To Incorporate Apple Cider Vinegar Into Your Diet
There are many ways to include apple cider vinegar in your diet. You can drink it by diluting it with water or have apple cider vinegar gummies. Various other forms are available in the market, such as ACV pills or capsules.
Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it in the morning or before meals. We have also listed other simple methods for taking apple cider vinegar daily.
Let’s dig in!
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Tea
If you do not like the taste of vinegar in drinking directly, you can have it as tea. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to your regular green tea or make full-fledged ACV tea.
Boil a cup of water and add a tablespoon of ACV to it. Now, include some cinnamon powder or honey and lemon juice. It will keep you warm, mask the tangy taste of vinegar, and boost your immunity.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing/ Vinaigrette
Perk up your salad dressings with ACV! Mix some olive oil with a small amount of apple cider vinegar and add some black peppers. Sprinkle in your favorite salad and enjoy.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Pickles
Pickles make a great side dish, and they are super healthy. Just pickle your veggies, like onions, carrots, and cucumbers, in apple cider vinegar and enjoy them with your meal. Taste and nutrition, all in one!
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Smoothie
Add apple cider vinegar to your daily smoothie or protein shake to enhance its benefits. Add an apple (cut into small pieces), a banana, and a few strawberries in a blender for an easy recipe. Include a tablespoon of ACV and some ice, and combine it all.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar Products
Nowadays, there are countless ACV products available on the shelves. You can get anything from apple cider vinegar gummies to pills to capsules. They are easy to eat and contain additional benefits from other ingredients.
Takeaway!
Apple cider vinegar, the magic ingredient, serves up to its name. Though still under-researched, its remedies have stood the test of time. It improves your health and strengthens immunity.
You can use it directly or take it as tea, smoothie, or gummies. No matter the form you take it in, maintain daily consumption of a small amount and see the magic!
