Let’s start with the basics, what is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar is basically acetic acid, which can be absorbed by most of your tissues as fuel. Yeast digests the sugars in apples and converts them into alcohol. A bacteria, acetobacter, then turns the alcohol into acetic acid. I don’t want to get too technical, but you can call this process fermentation. The "mother" refers to the combination of yeast and bacteria formed during fermentation. If you look at an apple cider vinegar bottle, you can see strands of the "mother" floating around. Acetic acid is a byproduct or fermentation and gives vinegar its characteristic odor.
Studies show that ACV does have some health benefits, but it’s not a magic potion. Incorporating it daily into a healthy diet is the best way to reap its benefits.
How do I take it?
1 tablespoon, 1 x daily in a 4-8 oz of water, or you can straight shot it if it’s not too harsh for you. I also use as a salad dressing with olive oil.
Benefits of ACV
Apple cider vinegar can help support the body in a myriad of ways, here are a few of the top benefits:
• It supports digestion (it may help with bloating, indigestion, GERD, and acid reflux)
• It supports healthy blood sugar (it can help with insulin resistance and the dawn phenomenon)
• It supports a healthy liver
• It supports weight loss
• It may lower triglycerides
• It can help inhibit the formation of oxalate crystals
• May help with acid reflux
• Excellent source of potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus
Best ACV brands
Most ACV you find in the grocery store is the clear, pasteurized, and filtered type. But you can also buy raw, unfiltered ACV that contains a cloudy sediment. Called "the mother," this substance is made up of settled bacteria and yeast.
I also like some of the dark fruit varieties and use these for salads like:
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Go Bad?
Because ACV is highly acidic, it stays safe to use for a very long time. But the taste and appearance can change over time, so it's best to use it within 2-3 years after you buy it.
You don't have to refrigerate it once you open it. Instead, store it in a pantry or cabinet, away from direct sunlight.
To keep it looking and tasting its best, store it in a glass or plastic container. Keep the lid on when you're not using it.
Deeper dive on ACV:
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