The Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is simply a form of fermented apple juice with the addition of apple cider vinegar. Okay, why is that called vinegar? Duh, right? More importantly, it is fermented juice from an apple.
The fermentation of apple juice creates a natural product, which is what we call apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains natural sugars, which make it slightly sweet. The sweetness comes from the sugar molecules floating around in the liquid. However, this is not the only substance that can be found in apple cider vinegar; most of the substance is water.
In order to understand the benefits of apple cider vinegar, we need to know a little bit about vinegar in general. Vinegar is highly acidic in nature, and that is why it is used as a natural cleaner. Vodka, for example, is derived from the same source (a) but is even more highly acidic. A drop or two of alcohol added to the vodka can remove any leftover trace of acid, thus leaving it cleaner for consumption.
The main benefit of apple cider vinegar, then, is its ability to reduce blood sugar levels in a safe and natural way. By keeping the blood sugar levels balanced, you can improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity is related to how well the body uses glucose as fuel, and if blood sugar levels are too high, the body tends to use its own fat stores to produce energy instead of relying on stored carbohydrates.
Another one of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, then, relates to a healthy lifestyle. You see, in addition to keeping blood sugar levels stable by using this natural product, you can also help prevent disease through its disinfectant properties. As you may know, many common illnesses, like diabetes, cancer, and HIV, are characterized by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the body. In fact, when researchers examined people who had contracted one of these diseases, they found that those who consumed large amounts of apple cider vinegar had a significantly lower rate of infection than those who did not.
The small study suggested that this vinegar was so good at controlling blood sugar that it could even help prevent heart disease and cancer, too! Amazing! Of course, the research did not directly claim that drinking this product would cure any of these diseases, only that it might improve insulin sensitivity in a safe way. This could easily be true, especially since it is not known for causing any negative side effects. The study did suggest, however, that people with diabetes should consider using it. If this sounds like something that might benefit you, give it a try; you have nothing to lose!