Apple cider vinegar is an age-old food substance found in all household kitchens. It is used as a food as well as medicine.
Is there any harm associated with its use? Are there any health benefits of it? What are its contents and nutrition values?
Apple cider vinegar: two step preparation
Apple cider vinegar is a common ingredient of European homes. It is multi-purpose. The item contains acetic acid obtained from apples and mixed with water in the proportion of 5 to 8% by volume.
It is a commercial product and an industrial food item. The manufacturer first crushes the apples and adds yeast to it. The yeast works on the sugars in the fruits and converts them into alcohol.
Apple cider vinegar (Source: Slimming Star)The next step involves adding bacteria to this product. These reduce the ethanol to produce acetic acid. This acid is responsible for the odor, flavor, and taste of vinegar. 5 to 8 % of acetic acid is apple cider vinegar.
The organic and unfiltered product has ‘mother’ in it. This is a mixture of enzymes, strands of proteins, and good bacteria. This gives the vinegar its murky look.
Some attribute the health benefits of vinegar to acetic acid. While others say that ‘mother’ is the main factor that is beneficial.
Nutrition and uses of vinegar
Vinegar from apples have zero fats and carbs. Minerals and vitamins are also nil. Except for a very small amount of sodium and some potassium.
Good standard vinegar also has some amino acids and antioxidants. It is acidic in nature with a pH in the range of 2 to 3.3.
Whole vinegar is harmful. It is mixed with liquids or foods for the desired effect. The product can go well in salad dressings, for pickle preservation, to make sauce, and for marinades and vinaigrettes.
It has other non-culinary uses as well. It can clean all types of surfaces and can cleanse vegetables and fruits. Additionally, it can serve as a denture cleaner.
You can add it to water in the pressure cooker to prevent the blackening of the inside base of the cooker.
Apple cider vinegar (Source: Prevention)People often use it in hair wash for the shine. It treats dandruff. Mix it with natural hair dyes to improve color. It has deodorizing action. Mixed with equal parts of water, it can be sprayed to remove bad odors.
When you mix it with Epsom salt, a good foot soak is prepared to eliminate foot odors. This is because of the antibacterial properties of vinegar.
The product can also trap fruit flies. You can use it while boiling eggs to get a good result. It can kill weeds too. It forms part of vegan cakes and candies for better texture.
Health and skin uses of vinegar
Apple vinegar is useful in diabetes for better sugar control. When vinegar is taken after a high carb food, it improves insulin sensitivity by 34%.
When combined with other strategies, vinegar from apples can aid weight loss. This is because it makes the consumer feel full.
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Apple cider vinegar (Source: BBC Good Food)Apple cider vinegar can be used as a gargle and mouthwash to heal sore throats. Do not use undiluted because it can burn the throat and food tract due to its highly acidic nature. It is healthy for skin and can tone it.
It prevents aging and heals skin conditions including warts. The vinegar is also good for heart and blood vessels. But there are no human studies on it. Animal research showed that vinegar decreases blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels.