Apple Cider Vinegar – 10 Reasons People Use It

Here are 10 reasons people might use it, for both health reasons and other purposes:

1. Weight loss. This was the big fad. Dr. Jarvis in Folk Medicine: a Vermont Doctor's Guide To Good Health, wrote that if you consumed apple cider vinegar regularly, fat would be burned instead of stored in your body.

2. Diabetes. There are some studies that suggest that vinegar might help reduce glucose levels.

3. High cholesterol. A study on rats fed acetic acid (the main ingredient in vinegar) had lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

4. Blood pressure. There have been studies that suggest the acetic acid in vinegar might help to reduce blood pressure. You could eat your salads with a dressing made from apple cider vinegar, knowing that you’re getting excellent nutrition for your cardiovascular system from the raw vegetables and there might be something in the vinegar that’s a bonus.

5. Acne. It’s considered a home remedy for acne. The suggested use is one part ACV to three parts water dabbed onto pimples. Be careful, though, because there have been reports of skin damage and burns, especially using full-strength vinegar on the skin.

6. Morning sickness. Women have gained relief by drinking some ACV in water, adding honey to the mixture. It’s been said it can calm an upset stomach.

7. Itching. Mix together vinegar and cornstarch and apply as a paste. Remove when the itching stops.

8. Fruit flies/gnats. Who hasn’t been bothered on occasion by fruit flies in the kitchen? Obviously, the first thing to do is to remove whatever it is that the fruit flies are attracted to. If they’re still around, fill a bowl with 1/2 quart water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and a couple of drops of dish soap. This is supposed to attract the pests.

9. Refrigerator odors. If your refrigerator has an unpleasant odor, try this. Place one cup of ACV in a glass and set inside the refrigerator. The smell should be gone in a couple of days. I haven’t tried it, but The Vinegar Institute recommends it. At least it’s not something toxic near your food and is worth a try.

10. Dirty hands. Have you been working in your garden all day and your hands are really dirty? A natural home remedy is to first moisten cornmeal with ACV. Then, scrub your hands with the mixture and wash it off with cold water.

Possible Side Effects and Cautions:

• If not diluted, it could cause damage to the esophagus, other parts of the digestive tract, and enamel of the teeth.
• If you’re allergic to apples, avoid apple cider vinegar.
• As mentioned above, if applied to the skin it could cause burns.
• If you are taking it for diabetes, blood pressure, or cholesterol problems, you might want to let your doctor know, in case it has an additive effect in combination with the drugs.
• Supposedly, long-term use can lead to lower potassium levels… another good reason to let your doctor know, if you’re taking medications.