Since I was a little girl, I have been using oil and vinegar on my salads. My kids and grandkids, like me, dip their meat from dinner into the same vinegar used in the salad. As an Italian, it was common to use those for dressings and since I got into natural health 20 years ago, I discovered this was a big blessing to have vinegar at work helping me with digestion, immunity, weight, blood sugar and more.
The new episode (126) of my podcast talks about many different aspects of vinegar. We’re not talking white vinegar, commercial apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar. The one with major health benefits is ORGANIC, RAW, UNFILTERED apple cider vinegar (ACV) with the “Mother” floating at the bottom, ripe with value that includes probiotic/prebiotic friendly flora support and enzymes.
This version of ACV is created as follows:
1. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is produced in a two-step process: The organic apples are crushed and pressed into apple juice. Apples are not peeled nor de-seeded.
2. The organic apple juice is fermented with the naturally occurring bacteria and sugars found in apples, converting the apple juice into ethanol (alcohol).
3. The product undergoes a second fermentation where ethanol is converted to acetic acid and results in the formation of the "Mother", consisting of Acetobacter aceti bacteria, cellulose and enzymes.
4. Water is added to dilute the organic apple cider vinegar to 5% acidity.
Potential benefits are extremely high and quite varied, for example:
• Help to balance blood sugar levels – may affect cravings & weight loss
• Believed to aid those doing a keto diet, supporting ketone production
• Speed digestion activating enzymes – may get into fat burning quicker
• May help with pathogens like sibo, candida which can affect weight…
• Helps absorb minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron
• Helps absorb vitamins like C, K, B12
• Decrease gas and bloating, also helping with gut health & microbiome
• Decrease heartburn/acid reflux
• Help release bile
• Help break down protein into amino acids
• Help immune system by speeding up wbc’s to fight infection
• May help blood pressure level
• May help reduce bad LDL and increase good HDL cholesterol
• Skin health
• pH balance – the acetic acid actually has an alkalizing effect
And since ACV has been used since 5000 BC, there is a plethora of ways people use it:
• Some uses: sunburns, fungal infections, warts, varicose veins, acne, scarring, poison ivy, pet bugs/fleas, seasonal allergies, natural deodorant, hair shine, household cleaner, teeth whitening or mouthwash (careful), cold symptoms, sore throat, fruit/veggie wash for removing chemicals and making them last longer, salad dressings, cleaning dishes, scalp massage for dandruff, bubble bath, weed killing, hiccups, aftershave, feet deodorant, sinus congestion…
ACV is put into water before consuming and here are some thoughts on how to take it:
• Put on salads and other food, drink diluted with water before meals (e.g. 1 tbsp in 4oz water 15 min before meal), mix with soups/stews, start the day, end the day, between meals…
• 1-2 tablespoons/day generally deemed good amount in water, may add lime or lemon (lime is higher in liminoids which may help with glutathione level), ginger juice (digestive and anti-inflammatory), pink sea salt (good sodium and minerals), cream of tarter (potassium) – aids sodium potassium pump – check out many recipes online
• Bragg’s is most popular and my personal favorite for decades
• Tablets are not backed by studies, do not contain the “mother” for the probiotic/prebiotic effect, do not contain pectin/fiber with many potential benefits, and inconsistent so I personally wouldn’t use them
• Remember, don’t over-do and consider a straw if desired (enamel)
A key is to not over-use it and consider using a straw if you put it in your mouth a lot. My favorite vinegar: Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar – organic, raw and unfiltered. Shake well before using and be creative if you decide to use it. Of course none of us have a “vinegar deficiency”, but this simple household staple can bring substantial benefits in our toxic, stress-filled world. If someone has heartburn and gains relief by taking this before meals, check out our previous episode on that to explore what is the “root cause” of the problem.
Feel free to peruse episodes at https://rebrand.ly/wowepisodes and direct questions and feedback to me at Julie@JPWOWPrograms.com. Please refer others to my blog and podcast – the episodes are also on youtube with the slides/notes that I talk from.