What is apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar or ACV as it’s sometimes called is fermented juice made from crushed apples. Fun fact: the word vinegar comes from the French vin aigre which translates to sour wine. This fermentation process consists of two important steps and usually takes about a month or so to complete. First, once the apples have been cut and crushed, yeast is added. This activates a reaction with the sugar in the apples, thereby creating alcohol. This is accomplished thanks to a bacteria called acetobacter. In fact, the combination of yeast and bacteria is called the Mother. Sometimes you can even see strands of the Mother floating in the apple cider vinegar bottle.
How to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your daily routine?
There are many ways to incorporate ACV into your daily routine. The most common one people know of is to mix 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water. Drinking it before meals or ideally in the morning can help kick start your weight loss. Another option would be to add it to your tea or even drizzle it in an olive oil dressing for example over your salad. You can also use it to pickle your vegetables. Whatever the case may be, just make sure you dilute the liquid before drinking it as it can be very harsh on your stomach and esophagus. It is also recommended not to increase the dosage per day and stick to 1-2 teaspoons per day.
Here are some of its benefits - Apple Cider Vinegar:
· Promotes weight loss
· Boosts metabolism
· Enables healthy blood sugar levels
· Promotes heart health
· Helps achieve skin radiance
· Promotes bloating and acid reflux
· Regulates pH balance
· Fights cold and relieves allergies
· Detoxifies your body
· Reduces inflammation
· Boosts immunity
· Relieves sore throat
Apple Cider Vinegar Makes You Feel Full
Apple cider vinegar or ACV makes you feel full for a longer time, automatically reducing calorie intake. For instance, a study that included 11 people showed that the people who consumed vinegar along with a carb-rich meal had 55% lower blood sugar levels after an hour of eating. Also, those individuals ended up consuming around 200-275 fewer calories for the remaining portion of the day. On top of making you feel full, apple cider vinegar also slows down the rate at which the food leaves your stomach. For instance, in a study, people who consumed ACV along with a starchy meal showed a delay in emptying the stomach. This led to low insulin, blood sugar, and an increased feeling of fullness.